Darlington Women drew 2-2 with Rutherford on Sunday thanks to Grace Dobson’s first goal for the club.

Rutherford gave Quakers a tough game, and the home side had to work for a point.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “I couldn’t fault the girls, every single one of them put in a good performance and worked tirelessly of the ball. At times we were a little bit wasteful in possession but the wind didn’t help. It’s not often I mention referee decisions, but the shirt pull on Hattie when she was in on goal in the first half was clear as day and if that foul was given, the ref had a decision to make in regards to the colour of the card and it could have changed the game. Nevertheless we have no excuses for starting the second half earlier and have to be better, the first goal was certainly avoidable.

“But I am proud that we picked ourselves up and came back into the game and I believe we looked the more likelier team to win the game after our equaliser. Over the moon for Grace Dobson to get her first goal and it was fully deserved. She’s grafted hard since coming in and made an impact on her debut against Horden, so it was good for her to get her first goal, hopefully the first of many. 

“There were stand out performances all over the pitch today and we know we can beat any team in this league, we’ve just got to stay consistent and take each game at a time. Come the end of the season, it could be a good point as Rutherford will certainly take points off other teams around us in the table.

“We go into the Christmas break in third place and although we’ve played a few more games than others, it could be worse. The other teams around us have to play each other and points will be dropped so we just have to keep at it and keep improving.”

Here’s the match report:

Darlington end the year sharing the points with Gateshead Rutherford in a 2-2 draw. A decent game of football which was spoilt to some extent by the wind and Darlington’s first draw this season! 

Despite the wind causing problems, both teams tried to play football and played out an entertaining 2-2 draw which could have  eithgoneer way. Darlington had the wind in the first half and controlled most of the game. They went ahead early on, a great ball into the box from a corner from Hattie Raine saw Krista Williams win the first header and the ball was nodded on by Chloe Ryan for the first goal. Darlington continued to create plenty of chances and the Rutherford keeper pulled off some great saves. Evie Whitaker didn’t have too much to do in the first half but was quick off her line when needed and that’s how the half ended. There was a controversial call in the first half when Hattie Raine was through on goal and her shirt was almost pulled off her back, the whole of Eastbourne expected a foul and a card to follow but unfortunately the referee waved play on and claimed he didn’t see it. 

The second half was a different story and with Rutherford having the wind behind them, they pushed on and forced five or six corners in the first five minutes. They got the equaliser direct from a corner which went over everyone’s head and straight into the net, a poor goal to concede from Darlington’s point of view. Rutherford then got another goal shortly after to take the lead. A long ball from the keeper’s hands went straight through to the Rutherford forward who was arguably a couple of yards offside but the ref didn’t think so and the goal counted. 

A couple of substitutions from Darlington saw Katie Bragg and Grace Dobson replace Lily Wilkinson and Chloe Ryan. Both substitutions quickly made an impact and had an effect on the game. It was on the hour mark that some good work from Katie Bragg on the right hand side saw her beat her player and pick out Hattie Raine inside who managed to get the ball out to the left for Grace Dobson to finish well for the equaliser and her first goal for the Quaker Women. 

The last half hour was a really end to end game and could have gone either way. Both teams had chances and both keepers kept the scores level. Rutherford had the ball in the back of the net but it was called offside and 5 minutes from the end, Katie Bragg had the ball in the net but it was also ruled out for offside. With both goals arguably being onside, a draw was probably a fair result. 

Player of the match went to Hattie Raine. Her work rate and pressing was excellent today and her all round hold up play and through balls. A good centre forward performance.

Many thanks to Gateshead Rutherford Ladies for the game and best of luck for the rest of the season. 

Many thanks to everyone who came down to support today and the whole of 2024. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.