Darlo FC 13s 1 v Bishop Kings 13s 0

Darlo moved into the quarter finals of the league cup with a hard fought but strong display against a good bishop side!!

Darlo playing against the wind started well and controlled the game from goalkeeper and defenders which then let the midfield get on top and feed the lively forwards but due to the final ball and a bit of bad luck Darlo couldn't create a lot of chances and ht came at 0-0

With the wind behind them now Darlo pressed more and got more people forward while the defensive players kept things tight and rarely looked in any danger

Darlo were now getting into spaces and Keating and Sams were major threats down the right and chances came and also hit the post and bar as well as couple of keeper saves kept the score 0-0 with ten mins left

Darlo forced a couple of corners and with Moncur delivering them in the danger area the ball finally broke in Darlo’s favour and Boo Rodker turned and fired a good right foot shot into the bottom corner for 1-0

Darlo then brought fresh legs on to replace the hard working lads efforts and this helped seeing the game out comfortably and book a   place in the quarter final 👍⚽️

Mom was Jojo Crumpton a great mature passing performance and non stop tackling and driving in the centre of midfield👍

Match report by Warren Moncur

Fulwell 2 Darlington Under 14 Feethams 1

Fulwell came out attacking from the off against Feethams, narrowly shooting wide within a minute. Again they attacked but Wharburton saved comfortably. A very, very rare mistake of a back pass allowed their striker though to score 1-0.

Feethams were un-nerved and unable to put their usual passing or tackling together, all out of sorts. A few players made some rash challenges throughout the 1st half, very unlike this side.

Again another very uncharacteristic slip allowed Fulwell to go 2-0 up. The referee ruled out the 3rd for off-side, big wake-up call.

McCowie dropped into midfield for Skull, Ruddick played up front for Skull.

Although 2-0 down the lads seemed to settle. Wharburton made a couple of spectacular saves, Jackson and Kirk started to make runs, Simmi caused problems and the back 4 relaxed more.

Half Time: Fulwell 2 Darlington Feethams 0

After a polite half time team talk, Feethams came out fighting, both Ruddick and Simmi coming close. Bell came on for Simmi, Johnson went to Cb and Harland went up front. Bell was playing well, tackling, heading and commanding the defence, only to find himself getting a head injury and having to come off for Carvey. Kirk took matters into his own hand making a run from his own half, weaving past 4-6 Fulwell players to side foot the ball into the net (Feethams Hazard) 2-1.

Harland got through on goal only to shoot inches wide, brilliant display from back to front. Feethams must have had 70% of the play in the second half, doing what they do best - attractive passing, supportive football, They threw everything at Fulwell but the clock just ran out.

Full time Score: Fulwell 2 Darlington Feethams 1

Squad:

Wharburton

Johnson Harland Bruce Tweddle (c)

Kirk Hatton Skull Jackson

McCowie Simmi

Sub: Bell, Carvey, Ruddick

Match report by James Carverhill

Sponsored by Ramside Hall

Under 11's

Darlington lose 7-0 away from home. .

Today for me was our worst team performance to date, we were totally dominated by a stronger team who basically wanted to win the game more than we did which hurts.

Admittedly the responsibility for only starting the game with 8 players lies with me and we will no doubt have to add players to the squad to cope with injury problems and other commitments .

However when only fielding 8 players for the vast majority of the first half we were only 2-0 down and unfortunate to be 3-0 at half time.

At half time I was still confident that we could go out and win the game if we started competing and put the graft in, unfortunately it didn't happen .

The most disappointing thing for me is that although technically in my opinion our group was far better the boys were totally devoid of any work rate , commitment or determination , I don't think we won 1 tackle all game and allowed Farringdon to run riot .

The second half although we showed signs of the team we can be we just didn't compete with them and lost every battle on the pitch .

The boys need to learn that they need to be prepared to do what I call the dirty side of football and win the battles before they can play the football we know they are all capable of , in a tough physical league if you don't turn up with the right attitude unfortunately this is what any team in that league can do to you .

Match report by Jonathan Edwards