Story by Kevin Luff - 10th November 2006
Darlington will be looking to progress into the FA Cup second round draw tomorrow night when they travel to Conference South side Lewes. The first round clash, which kicks off at 2pm, does have the potential to be a banana skin for the Football League side.
Quakers however have enjoyed some success in cup competitions this year. Dave Penney's men are still in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and did well in the Carling Cup knocking out Championship Stoke City and taking Premiership Reading all the way to extra-time and penalty kicks. If Darlington can replicate that sort of performance they should have few concerns.
The FA Cup though is famous for shocks and whilst Darlington have done better than usual in the cup competitions they must approach this game correctly. The last time Darlington took on non-league opposition was Hornchurch in 2003 and Quakers came unstuck. Things are very different now though with a new manager and a largely changed side but if any warning was needed then that is surely it.
With some tough league fixtures against Lincoln City, MK Dons and Wycombe Wanderers in the league to come a win in the FA Cup would set things up nicely. Penney admits the next few weeks will tell him an awful lot about the players at his disposal. Quakers currently occupy tenth place in League Two just four points off the play-offs and are in a decent position to push on from with the crucial Christmas season looming on the horizon.
"I looked at the fixture list when I came in and I knew it was going to be tough," said Penney. "We've had two tough games already and we've got them out of the way. This is another tough one believe me. I think the teams we play next are all above us. What it will do is show me what these players are all about. They have been great so far. We will be playing top of the league teams and it will give me a good indication of what these players are all about and can they play at that level."
Darlington have kept four clean sheets in their last four games and they will be looking to take this on come Saturday and extend it to five. Another clean sheet would see Quakers half way through the next round and whilst Penney is far from defensive minded he admits the lack of goals at the other end of the pitch is a welcome bonus.
"If you can keep a clean sheet then you've always got a chance of winning the game. We are not defensive minded by any stretch of the imagination but since I've been here we've had five, two in the first team, two in the reserves and one in the youth. It is an encouraging sign. We always feel as though we have a goal in ourselves so I'll be delighted if we keep a clean sheet on Saturday. That means we will at least come back with a replay or we score a couple of goals and win the game," said Penney.
Darlington have no fresh injury concerns. Only Phil Stamp and Julian Joachim remain sidelined. Matthew Clarke is unavailable for selection as Bradford City do not wish the player to become cup tied. Quakers' kick off their FA Cup campaign at 2pm tomorrow afternoon.
