Quakers’ title hopes suffered a blow when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Gateshead Rutherford on Sunday.

They were two quickfire goals in the first half, which leaves them a point Chester-le-Street Amazons having played three games more.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “It’s a difficult one to take as I thought we actually played well for the majority of the game. We were certainly the best team in the first half hour and we played some lovely football with the right passing sequences and created chances. But we didn’t capitalise when we were on top and when you don’t score the first goal, momentum can soon switch in a game of football. 

“Fair play to Rutherford who took their chances and then managed the second half well. The girls know that if we switch off for just small periods in a game then we will be punished in this league. I can’t question the effort and desire shown to try and get back into the game and sometimes it’s just not your day. We will pick ourselves up and go again next weekend when we welcome Hebburn Town to Eastbourne.”

Here's the match report from Chris Barrett:

Darlington were against the wind in the first half but didn’t let it affect them as they pushed forward from early on with an early effort coming from Chloe Ryan but it was struck just wide.

Darlington had a better opportunity after 10 minutes when the ball was taken under control by Hattie Raine who played the ball again to Ryan who struck another shot but it was high and held up allowing the keeper to grab the ball comfortably.

Just after the quarter hour mark a soft foul and undue yellow card allowed a good free kick position for Rutherford. The ball was struck well but it was well saved and held by Evie Whitaker. It was Darlington who got the next opportunity when the ball was played to the right for Raine who drove forward and drilled a shot but it went just wide of the post once again. 

On the half hour mark against the run of play Rutherford took a quick throw deep into  Darlington’s half and the ball was not dealt with in the box and there was enough space for the attacker to poke the ball at goal and find the far corner to make it 1-0 Rutherford.

It was a disastrous two minutes as almost immediately Rutherford got another when they were given too much space in the middle of the park and a long range high shot held up and was just out of the reach of the keeper and it dropped in.

Darlington settled and it was an even game with no more clear chances going into the half time break. The second half was similar to the end of the first with both teams battling to create opportunities with the weather making it difficult to build attacks and have free flowing football.

Darlington had a great chance when Sara Waites played in Ryan who beat the defender to drive at goal and get a shot away but it was saved and pushed away by the keeper.

It was a tight affair with both teams changing things but the game was even and the best chance in the half was for Darlington when a free kick for Darlington was struck high by Chloe Ryan and it pinged out off the top of the crossbar. Rutherford held out and claimed the three  points and it was an afternoon to forget for Darlington when they probably deserved more but just could not convert.

Player of the match was awarded to Lou Brown for a strong display at the back and trying to build the play by bringing the ball out in difficult conditions.

Here's the league table

https://fulltime.thefa.com/table.html?league=901345664&selectedSeason=516237003&selectedDivision=371387182&selectedCompetition=0&selectedFixtureGroupKey=1_263994711

Thanks to our kit sponsors:

We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Vacant 

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: Vacant

Sophie McNally:

Home: Vacant  

Away: Vacant

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

Lily Large:

Home: The Unknown Creative

Away: Lineside Fencing

Millie Soderman: 

Home: Corporate Personal Well Being 

Away: Kia

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: SR Entertainments 

Toni Upton

Home: Dawn Fire Safety 

Away: Dawn Fire Safety  

Emily Taylor 

Home: Northern Renewables 

Away: Northern Renewables 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Durham Blinds

Away: Andrew Scullion

Hattie Raine: 

Home: CNA Electronics

Away: CNA Electronics 

Katie Sheridan: 

Home: Darl Knight

Away: Vacant 

Lacey Baldwin: 

Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Away: Vacant 

Chloe Ryan: 

Home: Sign Lead

Away: vacant

Sara Waites: 

Home: Teesside University 

Away: Teesside University  

Nicole Graham

Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Leanne Clennett:

Home: Stockton Town Rugby Club

Away: Stockton Town Rugby Club 

Lucy Hart:

Home: Top Spec Boots

Away: D&G Trophies 

Lily Wilkinson:

Home: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Away: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Lucy Charlton

Home and away vacant

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Stu Burkin training kit:Vacant 

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant