Darlington Women reached the semi finals of the League Cup with a comfortable 4-0 home win over Spennymoor on Sunday.

Goals from Lana Williams, Ella Leach, Chloe Ryan and Hattie Raine put Quakers into the next round, and manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “I’m happy with the win and being in the hat for the semi-finals. I don’t think we were at our best but we still deserved to win the game. Although we didn’t create as many chances as usual, we still had chances and the Spenny keeper made some decent saves.

“We’ve been excellent in the last two games but with no game last weekend, I think that affected our performance a little. We took a while to get going but at the end of the day, we did enough to win and I was pleased overall. We were still solid defensively and I can’t remember them breaking us down or having a clear chance on goal. Bea did fantastic on her debut at such a young age and it was great for her and the defence to keep a clean sheet in her first game in senior women’s football.

“It was also good to see Hattie back on the pitch after 4 months out and looking more like her usual self. Getting on the scoresheet will do her the world of good and we look forward to having a fully fit Hattie back in the team. I thought we managed the game well in the second half and all the subs that came on played their part too. Frustratingly we don’t have a game for the 2 Sundays, so we will continue to work hard on things in training and be ready for our next league game in a few weeks’ time.”

The first 20 minutes was a cagey affair with neither team really settling into the game and a lack of composure on the ball for both teams. 

Darlington’s first goal came in the 24th minute. Another goal direct from a corner from Lana Williams which settled Darlington down and they started to play a bit more football. The second goal came 10 minutes later; the result of another corner not being fully cleared and Grace Dobson had a bit of composure to get the ball down and pick out Ella Leach who made no mistake one on one with the keeper for her 9th goal of the season! 

A couple of changes at half time saw Vikki Ryder and Hattie Raine introduced from the bench, with Leach and Wilkinson making way. It took Darlo 15 minutes to get the important third goal. Some good work from Nicole Graham allowed Chloe Ryan free to loft the ball over the keeper’s head to make it 3. With 20 minutes to go, Hattie Raine was back on the scoresheet, her first since returning from injury, 3rd of the season and 93rd overall goal for the Quaker Women. Another assist from Nicole Graham. 

A pleasing clean sheet for the defence and goalkeeper Beatrice Whitley on her full debut for the club at just 16 years old. Bea dealt with everything she needed to, and that’s Darlington’s 6th clean sheet of the season. 

Player of the match was awarded to Lana Williams. Playing an important role in a number of positions today, as well as getting that all important first goal to settle the game down. Well done, Lana. 

Thanks to everyone who came along to support today, a decent crowd and we always appreciate your support.

Thanks to Spennymoor for the game and we look forward to our two league fixtures.