Darlington FC Youth (sponsored by Darlington Building Society, The Flintlock Inn & BTS Fabrications) were in County Cup action this weekend, with an away trip to Russell Foster Premier league leaders, Jarrow Pumas.

It was an open start to the game, with both sides going close to scoring within the first four minutes.

First, Darlington keeper Bradley Morrison had to be at his best to keep out the Jarrow forward and at the other end Corbyn Mitchell came close, but dragged his shot wide of the target from 12 yards.

The Russell Foster side took the lead in the 8th minute with a very well taken goal. A long ball over the top of the Darlington defence found the run of Jarrow’s forward and he fired past Morrison via the cross-bar to make it 1-0.

Darlington drew level moments later through top scorer Corbyn Mitchell. A throw-in, which was taken on the half way line by Liam Wynn, was played over the top of Mitchell, he span away from his marker, before running clear of the Jarrow defence and firing past the keeper. An excellent game of football was beginning to unfold, between two sides who’ve have had an excellent start to the season in their respective leagues.

The hosts managed to regain the lead in the 20th minute and again it was the long ball over the top. This time though, the Jarrow forward raced through on goal, before lifting the ball over the advancing Bradley Morrison and into the back of the net.

Darlington continued to battle against a very big Jarrow side and came close to bringing the game back level, seconds before half-time. A fierce left foot strike from the left corner of the Jarrow penalty area by Corbyn Mitchell looked certain for the back of the net, but somehow the keeper managed to get his fingertips to the ball, deflecting it onto the cross-bar and out for a corner.

HT 2-1 (35 Mins)

In the second half, Darlington continued to cause the hosts problems with their pace on the break. Their hard work and determination to stay in the county cup, was there to see for everyone watching. The effort put in, paid off with 43 minutes played. Darlington captain Tom Horner, who was outstanding throughout, guided a great pass into the path of Corbyn Mitchell and despite the best efforts from the Jarrow defender to muscle him off the ball, the Darlington forward smashed past the keeper and into the net. 2-2, game on!!

This spurred the young Quakers on even more and you could sense further goals. Going into the game, Mitchell had eight hat-tricks to his name this season and he added to that tally in the 52nd minute. The in form forward ran onto Alex Mason’s through ball before beating the Jarrow keeper for his third goal of the game.

The hosts rarely threatened Darlington from then on, as the defensive three consisting of Joe Hanson, Tristan Bowden-Bloomfield and Thomas Hindmarch looked solid. Jack Browning worked his socks off in front of the back line, Matty Moody and Liam Wynn ran tirelessly down the flanks, Alex Mason and Tom Horner were the creators in midfield, with Carter Atkinson and Corbyn Mitchell giving the Jarrow defence limited time on the ball.

The visitors went further ahead with Mitchell netting his fourth goal of the game and his 38th of the season. Again it was Alex Mason who showed great vision to pick out Mitchell and he slotted past the advancing keeper. Matty Moody capped off another excellent performance and put the result beyond any doubt with his 6th goal of the season, following good play from Alex Mason.

Tom Horner was brought down in the Jarrow penalty area with a minute remaining before full time. Liam Wynn stepped up to take the resulting kick and coolly slotted into the bottom corner of the net, as Darlington ran out winners and progressed into the quarter finals of the Durham FA County Cup.

The Jarrow manager awarded Matty Moody with Man of the Match, but it really was an excellent all round team performance from Darlington Youth U13’s.