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Friendly :

Date	27/07/2001
Score (Blues First)	1 - 2
Venue	Kilrush Park, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
Kick Off	7pm
Attendance	250	V
Weather	Glorious Sunshine
Referee	Jim O'Neill
Goal Scorers	Kevin Whittle (58 mins)
Cards	None
Pitch	Bumpy

With Sundays excellent performance against Shamrock Rovers behind them the Blues fans were expecting a good show against Darlington from the English 3rd Division, but it was the visitors who played the better football and looked a lot fitter as they beat us 2-1 in Kilrush Park

The game opened brightly with both teams trying to knock the ball along a bumpy surface, but with three forced changes to Paul Powers team our midfield looked a little light weight as the visitors playing with five across the middle stretched us out at every opportunity. It took the Blues 12 mins to launch their first attack when Hunt collected the ball out wide and crossed for Barry, whose first time shot was held by Darlington's third choice keeper Keith Finch. The Quakers range of passing and movement came to the fore after 20 minutes when Heckingbottom, Campbell and Marcelle linked up to bring a save from Fennelly. The introduction of Delahunty mid way through the half for an injured Fitzgerald didn't help PP as he tries to find the right combination in midfield before the start of the new season. It took Waterford a while to settle after this, as Darlington's Campbell went close from a free kick when David Whittle pushed trailist Robson on the edge of the area. Shorty after this Waterfords defence was caught ball watching as a cross from the left saw Marcelle free at the back post to score from 6 yards. In fairness to the Blues they lifted their game after this with Kevin O'Brien's setting up Barry Wood who hit the post and Ian Barry crossing for Noel Hunt to just head wide with the keeper stranded.

In usual preseason friendlies the visitors nearly changed their whole team for the second half as Waterford gave goalkeeper Binder another chance to impress and PP changed his midfield duo for the fifth time in two games as he brought Alan O'Brien off the bench. Until the introduction of local Dungarvan youngster Nicky Donnelly the second half was uneventful. Donnelly's first touch was to receive a pass out wide on the right, beat the defender and pick out Kevin Whittle whos glancing header found the back of the net. Again it was Donnelly who was causing a threat up front as he shot just over from 20 yards in the 20 minute. Darlington's superior fitness level then told, as they ran the Blues ragged and passed the ball around for fun as the Waterford players were left chasing shadows. With 25 minutes gone in the second half Darlington again took the lead when Danny Mellanby recently signed from Bishop Auckland shot low to the net from 16 yards to give Binder no chance. Waterford tried hard to get back into the game with no real success, but it was another worthwhile run out as we prepare to face Finn Harps in our first league game in two weeks time.

With Breen, Leahy, Bradley and Waters to come back into the starting eleven, the Blues fans have a lot to look forward to this season as we try to regain our rightful place in the eircom Premier League.