Gateshead Rutherford 3 Darlington 4

Darlington Women came from behind to clinch their first ever win over Gateshead Rutherford today.

They showed great character to come back from 3-2 down to lead 4-3 and stay well in the promotion hunt.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “We’re absolutely delighted with the three points, we’ve finally managed to get a win against Rutherford which has been a long time coming after draw after draw between the two sides over the past few years.

“It’s always a good battle and I thought we fully deserved the win, especially as we should have been out of sight in the first half. We started fast and picked up where we left off last weekend, creating plenty of chances. We were 2-0 up with well taken goals from Chloe and Grace and it should have really been three or four, so it was disappointing to come in at half time only leading 2-1.

“The girls knew we should have had the game under control, but we just reiterated that we needed to do more of the same in the second half and more chances would come. Rutherford came out riled up and two goals in the first ten minutes put them in the lead and we could have folded and lost the game.

“Massive credit to the girls who rolled up their sleeves and bounced back to win the game. A great equaliser by Ryan after some excellent recovery work from Sara summed up the fight from the girls today. Hattie always pops up when we most need her and it was a superb finish to claim the points. Really proud of all of them today and another three points on the table.

“Fingers crossed that Dags’s injury isn’t as serious as first thought and she’s not out for too long."

Here's the league table:

https://fulltime.thefa.com/index.html?selectedSeason=195320741&selectedFixtureGroupAgeGroup=0&selectedDivision=371387182&selectedCompetition=0

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett

After some doubt that the game would be on and a late venue change, the Quaker Women made the notoriously difficult trip North to play Gateshead Rutherford Ladies. 

Darlington started the stronger of the teams and created a number of chances early on with shots for Grace Dobson and Chloe Ryan just wide. Their best opportunity came when a great ball from Hattie Raine was played into Ryan who broke through but was denied by a great recovery tackle from the Rutherford defender. 

After 14 minutes Darlington had a corner which was crossed into a dangerous area by Hattie Raine and the ball bounced to the back post when it was met by Aimee Dagnall who played the ball back just behind the 6 yard box for Ryan to smash in and give Darlington the lead. Only three minutes later, a long kick from Evie Whitaker made it to Raine who turned neatly and played the ball into the left channel for Grace Dobson to run onto and she lashed the ball in past the keeper to double the lead and score her third goal in three successive games.

After the second goal Rutherford got more into the game and a break down the left was only thwarted by an expertly timed tackle in the box to turn the ball away from goal. There was also a number good saves from Whitaker holding well from a close shot and a powerful free kick. The game was end to end and after the 35 minute mark Darlington conceded a corner which was played into the front of the 6 yard box and it was met by a more determined Rutherford player who met the ball first and headed it in to the back of the net to make it 1-2 at half time. 

The game remained finely balanced and both teams were creating chances with Darlington coming extremely close straight after the interval with Ryan breaking down the right and playing the ball across to Dobson who just hit the post from a tight angle. 

On 51 minutes Darlington conceded another corner and again Rutherford were not sufficiently picked up and too much space was given for a Rutherford player to volley the ball across goal and into the side netting to bring them level. Four minutes later Rutherford made a quick break down the left hand side and Darlington were overrun when the ball was pulled low across the box and it was an easy finish to give Rutherford the lead for the first time in the game.

It was a disappointing turn in the game but just after the hour mark, some great recovery work from Sara Ellis, winning the ball back and the playing a great ball forward onto Raine who was able to get the ball down and work it to Ryan who finished smartly to get Darlington back on level terms with her second of the game to make it 3-3.

A minute later Darlington came very close to taking the lead again, with a ball breaking through but Lily Wilkinson was denied by a fantastic save from the keeper and then a wonderful block from the defender to keep Darlington out and keep the score level. 

It was a concern that again it would not be Darlington’s day and the winner would not come, but after some good build up play from Darlington down the right hand side Ryan had the ball central and played it into Raine on the right hand side of the box who took aim and thundered the ball into the top corner to make it 4-3.

It was a tense final period to the game and Darlington came close to adding another with a strike from Krista Williams hitting the bar but Darlington managed to hold on and defended well for the remaining minutes to finally get a win against Rutherford. 

There was no lack of chances and on another day with more clinical finishing in the first half, Darlington could have scored more but the players showed great mental resilience to come back from behind for the win after conceding 3 straight goals. 

Player of the match was awarded to Aimee Dagnall for her tireless efforts in the middle of the park, strong leadership, keeping the team together and a crucial last ditch tackle to prevent a free shot close to goal. Sadly, she suffered a bad injury at the end of the game requiring hospital treatment and we hope for the best and that she is back on the pitch soon.

We’d like to thank our shirt sponsors:

Aimee Dagnall Home:  South Durham Blinds

Ava Pearson Home: OneGym

Chloe Bright          Home:  SR Entertainments

                              Away: Anglo Tech

Chloe Ryan      Home: The Richard Watson Memorial

                              Away The Darl Knight Comics

Chloe Tinkler      Home: Steve Halliday

                              Away: Brinkburn Pub

Emily Taylor Home and away: Future Heat Group

Emma Carter Home Direct Flooring

                              Away: John Zissler Driving School

Evie Whittaker Home Steve Halliday

Grace Taylor Home and away: Lee McNamara

Hattie Raine Home : CNA Electronics

Katie Bragg: Home The White Daisies

                       AwayY2K hair Design

Katie Sheridan Home: Darlington Mind

                              Away; The Darl Knight

Kistra Williams : Home: Hawthorne Holiday Cottages

Leanne Clennett: home and away Stockton Town Rugby Club

Lexie Scott: home and away Dysfunctional Dads

Lily Large Home: The Darl Knight

                  Away; Lineside Fencing

Lily Wilkinson Home and Away; Pink Sundays

Lou Brown Home: Saddington Taylor

Lucy Hart: Home: D and G Trophies

Millie Garnett: Home: Eco Hair Salon

                              Away: Anglo Tech Group

Millie Soderman Home and away; Kia Stockton

Nicole Graham: Home and away: Quality Painting

Sara Ellis: Home; Time Travellers Disco

                  Away: Mark White CBE DL

Shaun MacKenzie : John Vickerman