Darlington Women are through to the first qualifying round of the Women’s FA Cup thanks to a convincing 4-0 home win over Heaton Hawks on Sunday.

Goals from Nicole Graham, Hattie Raine, Grace Dobson and Aimee Dagnall saw Quakers through to the next round, in which they’ll play away at Hebburn Town on Sunday 7^th September.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “It was a good win, we are into the next round of the FA Cup and I feel it was fully deserved. We did start off slightly nervous and for the first 15 minutes or so, our play was a bit rushed and we kept giving the ball away. The first goal calmed us down a little and we started to play some better football. We kept creating chances and it probably should have been 2 or 3 at the break.

“I was a bit frustrated at half time as I felt the first half lacked urgency and wanted the girls to up the tempo and be more aggressive and show a bit more fight in the second half. To be fair to them, they delivered and I thought the second half performance was a lot better. The introduction of Aimee Dagnall helped control the game and she started to get on the ball and dictate. It’s great to have her back in the team.

“I thought Jen had a great first half as well and it’s good to have them both back as we missed them towards the end of last season. Also happy to see Lou Brown complete 90 minutes and it’s a good start to the season. Another clean sheet, which we have done well with in pre-season and 4 separate goalscorers. I think Hattie deserves a mention today as well, we expect good things from her every weekend and it’s become the norm but to score a goal and set up the other 3 is a fantastic team contribution.

‘We have one more pre-season game which will set us up well for the start of the league season and the next round of the FA Cup. We welcome Consett A.F.C Ladies to Eastbourne next Sunday and we would love to see you there supporting once again.”

Darlington started the game well and it was an even contest in the first half. They took the lead in the 20th minute with a lovely through ball from Hattie Raine for Nicole Graham to finish off for 1-0.

A much more dominant performance in the second half saw Darlington add a further three goals and see the game out comfortably. Hattie Raine opened her account for the season with a good finish after another great assist from Grace Dobson on the 57th minute. Dobson was then on the scoresheet 5 minutes later with a sliced shot over the keeper’s head for 3-0. 

The game was wrapped up in the 77th minute when half time substitute Aimee Dagnall headed home at the back post from a Hattie Raine corner for her third assist of the day. Darlington saw the game out well and managed to keep their first competitive clean sheet of the season. 

Player of the match was chosen by our match sponsor, SR Entertainments. They awarded the accolade to the returning Aimee Dagnall for a brilliant second half performance.

Darlington will now play Hebburn Town F.C Women in the FA Cup First Round Qualifying, away on Sunday 7th September. 

Many thanks to Heaton Hawks Ladies for the game and we wish you the best of luck next season in the Northumberland League.