Darlington 2, Port Vale 1

Sep 15 2008 by Ray Simpson, The Journal

VERSATILE winger Franz Burgmeier shone on both flanks as Darlington won at home for the first time this season.

He started off on the left, switched to the right midway through the first half when David Poole went off with a shoulder injury, then popped up on the left again to equalise with a 37th-minute free-kick.

Manager Dave Penney said: “Franz is a right-footed player but mainly appears on the left. He plays at left back for Liechtenstein. It gives us options when we have players with two good feet and Franz is not the only one.

“Neil Austin can play on either side of defence while Rob Purdie can operate almost anywhere.”

On a day when the team was well short of its best, they needed their flexibility for a game in which the goals came from set pieces.

Luke Rodgers put Vale ahead with a free-kick on 28 minutes, his right-foot shot finding the top corner from 20 yards.

After Burgmeier, back in club colours after two international games in the last week, had whipped in a couple of dangerous crosses, he made a free-kick count by curling the ball low inside the near post.

Darlington dominated much of the second half while creating little, although Billy Clarke fired wide when Liam Hatch set him up. It was a rare good move from a home side who looked hesitant.

But Vale let them off the hook by missing several chances. Marc Richards headed wide when well placed while Rodgers fired too close to Simon Brown in the Darlington goal, the keeper reacting well to save.

Darlington won the game with 14 minutes remaining as Hatch marked his home debut by heading firmly home from Adam Griffin’s corner.

Penny said: “Hatch was excellent but overall we didn’t play well though it’s always a relief to get your first home win.”

Darlington will look to build on that win next Saturday when they entertain Accrington Stanley, a side they beat home and away last season.

DARLINGTON: Brown, Austin, White, Foster, Purdie, Poole (Griffin 23), Kennedy, Ravenhill (Hulbert 58), Burgmeier, Clarke (Blundell 81), Hatch. Subs (not used): Kazimierczak, Proudlock.

Goals: Burgmeier 38, Hatch 77.

PORT VALE: Anyon, Griffith, McCombe, Prosser, Collins, Richman (Perry 87), Taiwo (Davidson 71), Howland, Dodds (Taylor 61), Richards, Rodgers. Subs (not used): Martin, Lawrie.

Booked: Richman, Prosser, Collins.

Goal: Rodgers 28.

Attendance: 3,040.

Referee: Karl Evans (Greater Manchester).