Macclesfield Town 0, Darlington 6

Sep 1 2008 The Journal

BILLY Clarke became the first Darlington player to score four goals in a game since 1990 – following David Cork who hit four in a 6-1 win over Boston at Feethams.

Clarke, 20, on loan from Ipswich, is claiming the first at Macclesfield even though the ball flew in off home defender Clayton McDonald.

“I got to the ball first and got a touch on it before it hit the defender so I’m having that one,” he said.

“I’ve never scored more than two in a game before so I’m thrilled. It’s a day I’ll never forget”. The win was so emphatic it was hard to believe it was Darlington’s first of the season.

They started well and got better, dominating for long spells. But they had only Clarke’s opener on 27 minutes to show.

Once Clarke netted from 25 yards in the 53rd minute, the floodgates opened with the visitors playing exhilarating high-tempo football.

Ricky Ravenhill dominated the centre of midfield and widemen David Poole and Franz Burgmeier caused the Macclesfield defence problems. Clarke burst down the left on 55 minutes to cross towards team-mate Liam Hatch, and in trying to clear, defender Richard Walker headed into his own net to put Darlington three up.

A Macclesfield side that had taken Premier League West Ham to extra time in the Carling Cup three days earlier were unable to compete.

When Burgemeir released Gregg Blundell on 63 minutes he was brought down from behind by Macclesfield skipper Sean Hessey who was sent off. Clarke completed his hat-trick from the spot. His fourth came three minutes later when he side-footed home Burgemeir’s cross. Full-back Neil Austin shared in the bonanza on 85 minutes when he found the corner of the net from 25 yards. Darlington won’t face such poor opposition every week but will draw confidence from knowing that their brand of football can be ruthless.

“We made three or four changes from the team that played in midweek and Macclesfield had only one change so we looked fresher,” said Quakers boss Dave Penney. “Some of our play was outstanding.’’

MACCLESFIELD: Brian, Hessey, McDonald (Gritton 46), Walker, Brisley, Bell, Thomas, Deen, Evans, Green, Tolley (Dunfield 21). Subs (not used): Yeo, Dennis, Jennings.

Booked: Dunfield.

Sent off: Hessey

DARLINGTON: Brown, Austin, White, Foster, Purdie, Poole, Kennedy (Hulbert 74), Ravenhill, Burgmeier, Clarke (Proudlock 73), Hatch (Blundell 58). Subs (not used): Valentine, Kazimierczak.

Goals: Clarke 26, 53, Walker 56 og, Clarke 64 pen, 67, Austin 89.

Attendance: 1,554 Referee: Simon Hooper (Swindon).