Also returning from a short layoff was Darren Mansaram, he partnered Phil Jevons up front whilst David Soames dropped to the bench. Iain Ward and Kirk Wheeler completed the defence. Whilst Graham Hockless, Chris Bolder, Ash Hildred and Gio Carchedi made up the midfield. Andy Pettinger was once again in goal.
From the off Town stroked the ball around in a superior manner against what, in all honesty, was a youth team. The gulf in class was obvious throughout the game with Pettinger barely troubled once. Paul Groves said at the weekend that he expects the second string to win their league, on recent evidence his assessment is not wrong. Several of the 'regulars' are just too good. The likes of Hockless, Jevons and Hildred need a higher standard of football. Whilst Jevons is at least on the first team bench - Hockless and Hildred seem well out of Groves' plans. Even loaning them out to a third division/Conference side will be better than staying in our reserves. If anything the games are hampering their development.
Back to the game, little was created in the opening 10 minutes. In fact it took until 10 minutes for the first incident of the game, that wasn't a pleasant one either.
Carchedi stretched for a long ball only to scream in agony before collapsing, holding his knee. The ex-Forest junior remained in some distress whilst he was carried off. The incident was eerily like that Ruud Van Nistelrooy's training ground injury, whilst at PSV. Because of this, one sadly assumes that young Gio has done some serious damage. Possibly to his knee ligaments, although I'm not a medical expert by any stretch of the imagination.
David Soames replaced Carchedi forcing Rodger to reorganise his team. Soames partnered Mansaram up front with Jevons playing as the 'floater' in the new 4-3-1-2 system.
Town started to bomb forward with the pace of Soames combing well with intellegent play from Jevons, Hockless and Hildred. Quakers keeper' Jack Norton produced a series of wonder saves to keep Town at bay. First he pulled two fine saves from Jevons in quick succession. First to deny Jevons by taking the ball of his feet, secondly with a strong hand from a snapshot.
Town did break through eventually though, 10 or so minutes from the break. Hockless choose to ignore Mansaram's run (mainly because he was a good 5 yards offside), instead playing between two players to the surging Chris Bolder. The midfielder drew Norton well before sliding beyond him into the net.
A few minutes later and it was 2-0. Hildred's quick thinking released Mansaram who was brought down in the box, the loose ball fell to Soames who's powerful drive was kept out wonderfully by Norton. Referee Sutton, who was excellent throughout, played the advantage rule well and awared a penalty. Jevons stepped up and finished with conviction. Does it still count if Jevons scores, Mr Groves?
Just before the break Town more or less finished the game off. Hockless and Hildred combined from a corner resulting in a deep cross from the former. Kirk Wheeler met it at the back post with a cool finish.
At the break Barnard was replaced by youth team defender James Davey. Barnard's overall first half was disappointing. His successful attempt at getting Darlington forward, Glenn Robson, booked was a sad site. Robson made a late challenge on Barnard who reacted in a poor manner by offering to take it further. The tackle was late, nothing more and no harm was done. From senior player like Barnard, this was very, very low. Other than that Barnard was reduced to a few, poor long range efforts. Jason Crowe can count himself very unlucky if he's dropped on Saturday.
The second half was the same as the first, Town dominated. After 10 minutes Mansaram's determination resulted in another goal. Chasing down a long punt, Flash showed his potential by out muscling on a solo run, beating three players before laying off to Soames who tapped home from close range.
Soames was begining to use his pace to real effect against the tiring Darlington defence. In fact the whole Town team were bombing forward and looking capable of scoring. It was Soames' strength and pace that fed Hildred soon after the goal. The promising midfielder's shot was good enough to beat Norton, the post however denied him.
Jevons, who by now was playing in an advanced right wing role, cut inside well to feed Soames on 66 minutes. Digger waited for his moment before firing past Norton to make it 5-0.
8 minutes later and his hat-trick came. Picking up the ball just inside the Darlington half. Soames ran with genuine intent and the defence didn't like it one bit. Riding two challenges before firing past Norton from 20 yards, it was a worthy goal to complete his hat-trick.
After the sixth goal Town took their foot of the pedal, and started the showboating. Graham Hockless was replaced by Liam Nimmo with 10 or so minutes to go, one does hope this means Hockless will find himself at least on the bench for the QPR game.
Man of the Match - David Soames. Although not fantastic apart from the 20 minute hat-trick spell, Soames scored 3 good goals. Jevons and Hockless had better all round games, but goals talk. Clinical finishing and effective use of his pace. Deserving mention to young Darlington 'keeper Jack Norton who kept the scores in single figures with a host of world class saves.
Town: Pettinger, Ward, Barnard, Parker, Wheeler, Hockless, Carchedi, Bolder, Hildred, Mansaram, Jevons. Subs: Hughes, Davey, Newton, Nimmo, Soames.
Darlington: Norton, Morley, Mason, Bossy, Smith, Collins, Convery, Coghlan, Robson, Sheeran, Mendum. Subs: Parkin, Alexander, Summers, O'Shea.