Our Women's team are out of the FA Cup after a battling display at Fylde, going down 7-1.

The home side are three levels higher in the national system and showed that in the first half, but Quakers matched them after the interval, and kept battling right through to the end of the 90 minutes.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “To be honest, I couldn’t be any prouder of the girls, especially in that second half. We dug deep and stuck to the game plan. We defended really well throughout the whole game and stayed disciplined in our shape. So it was really disappointing the way we conceded a few of the goals in the first half as they were soft and could have been avoidable.

“We reacted instantly to going a goal down and went and got the equaliser and that was the reaction we needed. But we then gifted them a couple and you just can’t afford to do that against a team of Fylde’s level as they will punish you as they did.

‘We only conceded one goal in the second half and that’s a testament to how well the girls played and how every player did their job in the second half. All 11 and the substitutes that came on worked hard for each other till the end and never gave up! The last two times we have played a team from tier 4, we have conceded double figures so it’s definitely progress and we are slowly closing the gap to what level we can compete at. The girls are still learning, technically and tactically and we will continue to make strides this season, we are still a very young squad.

“We were also missing a few of our key experienced players, particularly in the midfield and we missed a bit of aggression. I’ve said it for a few seasons now, but we are too nice at times on the football pitch, we need to find that aggression and ensure we are first to the ball and first to the second ball and want it that little bit more.

“However, we will still learn a lot from the game and take the positives into next weekend which we know is going to be another tough test against a young, talented Durham Cestria Reserves side in the County Cup.”

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett:

Darlington started the game well and got through the first 10 minutes unharmed with a good team shape. Fylde went one ahead and Darlington responded straight from kick off. Going up the other end, getting a corner and the resulting corner being put into the wrong net from a Fylde player for Darlington’s equaliser. The Quaker Women continued to defend well and Fylde scored a second goal which looked offside but the assistant kept his flag down and Fylde went 2-1 up.

Darlington then let themselves down and conceded from a couple of corners which was disappointing after keeping their shape so well and doing a good job off the ball. Fylde got another two before the break and Darlington needed the half time whistle. 

Fylde came out in the second half flying and scored a well worked goal to make it 7-1. What followed was a resolute defensive performance from Darlington. Limiting Fylde to shots from distance which Evie Whitaker dealt with well. The girls grafted till the final whistle and all 11 players on the pitch put in the effort to ensure no more goals were conceded in the second half. It was always going to be a tough ask for Darlington and they can take plenty of positives into next weekend’s County Cup game against Durham Cestria Reserves. 

Player of the Match in the FA Cup defeat to AFC Fylde was our number 6 and captain Lou Brown. 

With lots of defending to do, Lou led the back line well and helped the team keep shape. A resolute display from everyone and Lou’s performance summing up the effort put in. 

Lou Brown is proudly sponsored by Saddington Taylor Limited. Thankyou for your support this season. 

Many thanks to AFC Fylde for the game and best of luck in the next round. Thanks for the hospitality and pizza after the game. Good luck for the rest of the season. 

We wait another year to try and reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup!