Middlesbrough 12 Darlington 0
Darlington Women were knocked out of the Women's FA Cup by a team three levels above them on Sunday.
They lost 12-0 in a game in which the difference in standard shone through , but they kept battling away right through to the end.
Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; "It was a tough result to take, but the girls will learn from the experience. To get to the Third Round Qualifying of the FA Cup for the second year in a row and knock out Ripon City and Blyth Town on the way is a testament to how hard the girls have worked this season. Middlesbrough were another step up and the difference in levels showed on Sunday. We have no excuses and we need to pick ourselves up, not let it affect our confidence and our good start to the season and we go again next Sunday, in the league as Leam Rangers visit Eastbourne for the second time in just a couple of weeks."
Match Report from Chris Barrett
Darlington did start quick and were ready to push against Middlesbrough's high line and it nearly paid off within the first two minutes with an early opening allowing Chloe Ryan to break through the middle with the ball , attempting an effort from the edge of the box but the keeper was able to claim it.
Soon after Middlesbrough were ahead with some good one two play down the right hand side with the shot struck well into the bottom corner. It was a similar play for the second goal with again good build up play down the right and clinical finishing.
Darlington were caught out again straight from the off after the second with heads down and Middlesbrough looking to kill the tie off as quickly as possible. They broke in numbers and again quick passing counted this time allowing a shot from the left to be fired in.
Middlesbrough did not relent and they were equally effective from set pieces as they were open play with goals four and five coming from a miss kick and a corner with the opportunities not missed. Goal six was a ball lost down the right hand side and from just inside the box was lashed home past the keeper. Goal seven was a contentious one as goalkeeper Ellen Atkinson came out to claim the ball to stop it from going out for a corner but before landing had the ball knocked from her grasp which the Middlesbrough player finished into the empty net.
Middlesbrough came out in the second half with the same intensity and added to their goal count with their desire to add more goals undeterred and goals eight and nine coming not long after the break.
The tenth goal came from a soft penalty awarded for a sliding recovery which appeared unjust and as per Darlington's luck for the day the penalty was struck low and hard, it was judged correctly by Atkinson but it squirmed just underneath and on the slick wet pitch trickled over the line.
Darlington did have a bit more endeavour in the second half and still showed attacking intent with Hattie Raine unfortunate not to be able to beat the keeper from distance and Chloe Ryan working tirelessly leading the line from the front. Darlington kept working but succumbed to another two late goals leaving the score 12-0 at the final whistle.
The second half gave optimism for Darlington with improved performances and showed in spells that they were able to compete with high quality counterparts. Whilst Darlington were lacking their usual intent today, it was a shortcoming in the belief in themselves which set them back early on. The quality within the squad is there without doubt and if they can maintain a belief in themselves, they will have another strong season.
Although it is a bitter end to the FA Cup journey, it will still be seen as a monumental success for a team in their second season, twice defying the odds, beating higher level opposition and proving what quality there is within the team.
Player of the match went to Chloe Bright who was relentless from the off and worked tirelessly in both attack and defence with a never give in attitude. Sponsored by Jordan Hanratty Personal Training (home) and Active Kids Play Scheme (away).
We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:
Martina Cuccunato:
Home: Premier 1 Filtration
Away: Vacant
Ellen Atkinson:
Home: LW & GM Atkinsons & Son
Away: Harker Coaches
Evie Whittaker:
Home: Steve Halliday
Away: Vacant
Emma Carter:
Home: Direct Flooring
Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology)
Alice Wearmouth:
Home: Direct Flooring
Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology)
Lou Brown:
Home: Saddington Taylor LTD
Away: vacant
Gabi Padurariu
Home: David Stothard
Away: Colin Bromley
Millie Garnett:
Home: Eco Hair Salon
Away: Phil's Fine Finishes
Lily Large:
Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation
Away: Vacant
Chloe Tinkler:
Home: Steve Halliday
Away: Brinkburn Pub
Chloe Bright:
Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training
Away: Active Kids Play Scheme
Toni Upton
Home: Dawn Fire Safety
Away: Dawn Fire Safety
Emma Doudican
Home: Winroths Hairdressing
Away: Winroths Hairdressing
Olivia Whitworth
Home: Terry Farley MBE
Away: Vacant
Aimee Dagnall
Home: Andrew Scullion
Away: Vacant
Hattie Raine:
Home: Thomas Watson Auctioneers
Away: Thomas Watson Auctioneers
Katie Sheridan:
Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation
Away: Ingleton Site Management LTD
Lacey Baldwin:
Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd
Away: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd
Chloe Ryan:
Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation
Away: The Little Quaker Distillery
Caisey Lee
Home: vacant
Away: vacant
Nicole Graham
Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating
Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating
Management team:
Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman
Sam Pascoe training kit: NC Group LTD
Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant
Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant
