I try to put myself in Craig Liddle’s shoes at times and wonder if he’s thinking – Where does the uncertainty (insanity?) end? Or . . . where are the men of principle to come to the rescue of Darlington Football Club? Well, no one can accuse Darlo Legend Liddle of being anything other than principled . . . as he again inspired his embattled team to victory 2-0 over high-flying Cambridge United, who had only been beaten once in their previous 19 games. A game which The Quakers controlled for the most part though never dominated, they were led by a great performance from Adam Rundle who rounded this off with a goal. Middlesbrough loanee Adam Reach got the other.
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And as the uncertainty continues over whether several of the first teamers still being here in January, due to non-payment of wages by a chairman who looks hell-bent on confrontation, no one knows what the future of the football club holds.
But the 2-0 scoreline has seen an avalanche of points in the Come On Darlo Prediction League (remember, your entry fees and donations have directly helped Lidds’ youth set up – where more players are thought to be the target of some big league and Premier clubs). Chris Kane takes the lead once more, now on 65 points, with Damian Dickson’s eight-pointer propelling him into second spot on 63 with Malcolm Cundick being joined in third place on 62 by Paul Soderman with his max score.
Neil Raper’s eight points see him in real contention, joining Ecnal Dnaleri on 61; whilst my second team is showing the firsts the value of teamwork on 60 along with Steve Curtis. Jean Johnson and Martin Clarke are leading the chasing pack on 59.
Those other with maximum scores: Callum Vallis, Carl Hankin, Chris Mackenzie, Chris Vallis, Colin Wakefield, Corey Neilson, David Alderson, Dean Martin, Edward Cundick, Garry Mann, Gary Woods, Iain Cardwell, James McNaughton, Jenny Maughan, John Baskerville, Liam Pape, Luke Hewitson, Lynne Pape, Mick Moriarty, Mike Cleasby 1, Neil Raper, Nick Groves, Peter Ashmore 2, Simon Cowing, Stephen Bennett, Steve Calvert 1, Stuart Williams, Terence Sadler, Terry Harvey, Terry Simpson, Thomas Jackson, Tim Hewitson, Toby Corum 2.
Richard Soul is desperately trying to claw his way back into the pack from bottom spot, there are certainly enough managers in the mix but it’s only points that count – and the league table doesn’t lie!!! Just three points ahead on 18 is Fozzy Foster.
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And just after the half way point in the season it’s time to have a look at one of our mini-leagues going on – our old friends from Hayssen Sandiacre. At present, it’s only Steve Curtis who is “looking the business”, lying in eighth place overall on 60 points but sitting at the head of the mini-league. Steve has a very creditable five correct score predictions, whilst Mick Moriarty, Neil Dancy, Carl Hankin and David Welton have four each but need to be more consistent with results.
And the aforementioned Phil “Fozzy” Foster is in danger of collecting both wooden spoons at the end of the season with his paltry 18 points total. League table follows:
8 Bag of Spanners III, Steve Curtis 55 0 5 60 5
24 Kerrymen, Mick Moriarty 53 0 0 53 4
25 Ram Raiders, Neil Danby 53 0 0 53 4
32 Frimley Green Superstars, Carl Hankin 50 0 0 50 4
33 Welly's Reds, David Welton 47 0 2 49 4
34 Henry's Heroes, Elaine Battison 49 0 0 49 2
36 Last Minute, Lee Dyas 49 0 0 49 2
44 Break My Stride, Emile Puttemans 48 0 0 48 3
47 Maurice's Marauders, Maurice Tennick 48 0 0 48 3
49 Super Rams, Nick Groves 48 0 0 48 3
56 Panthers at the Double, Corey Neilson 47 0 0 47 4
75 Slartibartfast XI, Arthur Dent 43 0 0 43 2
76 Europe Bound, Mark Lear 43 0 0 43 2
80 Let's Rock 'n' Roll, Stewart Hoy 43 0 0 43 2
83 Release The Kraken! Graham Wakeling 42 0 0 42 3
90 You Reds Here We Go, Mark Kirk 41 0 0 41 1
98 The Black Baron, Michael Whitmann 40 0 0 40 2
113 Sooloo Cabbage Queens, Sue Abell 38 0 0 38 1
119 Perfect Time To Score, Kevin Kidger 37 0 0 37 2
125 DA League, Doreen Lang 36 0 0 36 3
128 Pigeons in Flight, John Shuttleworth 36 0 0 36 0
135 Closing The Gap, Mick Spencer 35 0 0 35 1
137 Tilly's Eagles, Richard Tilly 35 0 0 35 1
144 Spoon to Boom, Gary Robertson 34 0 0 34 2
152 Bons Allstars, Ian Bonsall 33 0 0 33 3
157 A Senior Moment, Trevor Gretton 33 0 0 33 0
164 Izzet For Real, Will Ellis 32 0 0 32 1
166 Cooked Ham, Lisa Picker 31 0 0 31 2
167 Rockabilly Rovers, Terry Harvey 31 0 0 31 2
169 Forestboro, Jamie Molnar 30 0 0 30 0
187 I Predict A Riot, Josh Slack 24 0 0 24 0
193 My Webbed Feet, Phil "Fozzy" Foster 18 0 0 18 0
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Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
