Hattie scores a hat trick as Quaker Women bounce back
By Ray Simpson
Away win at Tow Law
Tow Law Ladies 1 Darlington Women 4
Darlington women returned to winning form with a 4-1 away win at Tow Law on Sunday afternoon.
The victory ends a run of three straight defeats and keeps Quakers well on course for promotion. Hattie Raine scored a first half hat trick to put us in control.
Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “We played really well in the first half, and Hattie took her goals well. We saw the game out well in the second half.
“We can take the positives from this game into next week’s match.
“We’re delighted for Hattie, she has worked hard for the last few weeks.”
Here's the match report from Chris Barrett
There was little cover against the wind which was bound to have an influence on the game and Darlington would need to make sure they used it to their advantage.
Both teams started well but it was Darlington who started the brighter and after 8 minutes were ahead with the ball played out to the left for Emma Carter who switched the ball across the box into Hattie Raine who struck the ball back across goal and in off the post. A great finish from the number 9.
Three minutes later it was the same combination with Carter crossing the ball high into the box for Raine to volley at goal but it was well saved by the keeper.
Tow Law got their first significant chance after 17 minutes when the ball was played through the middle over the top splitting the defence but the Tow Law striker lifted the ball over the bar.
The second goal of the game, came when the ball was played through the middle by Emma Doudican again to Raine who found space and fired home in the same corner she hit the first to claim her second goal of the game. Four minutes later it was 3-0 for Darlington with the returning Aimee Dagnall picking the ball up in the middle of the field from Emma Carter and unleashing a fantastic drive over the top of the keeper from 25 yards.
Two minutes later there was some quick thinking by Dagnall who was not closed down by the Tow Law defence and played the ball through a gap to the alert Raine who stole in and lifted the ball just around the keeper with a lovely deft finish to make it 4-0 to Darlington.
Tow Law nearly got one prior to the break when again they got in down the middle and this time they struck well, but the ball pinged of the crossbar and to safety.
The second half began with both teams still battling and creating chances with Tow Law still trying to break through the middle. Darlington came close when the Tow Law keeper came out to clear but it only made it to Emma Doudican in the middle who took it around the defender but lifted it just over the keeper and it hit the bar.
After 58 minutes Tow Law were awarded a dubious penalty for an apparent push during a corner to everyone’s bemusement. The ball was duly despatched low into the net to give Tow Law one back. On 64 minutes Tow Law had another corner which was initially headed away by Alice Wearmouth out of the box but was latched on to by a Tow Law forward who volleyed wide.
Two minutes later Tow Law got some space in the middle allowing the striker to get a brilliant strike into the top corner but it was magnificently tipped on the post by Martina Cuccunato. A fantastic save at a crucial point in the game.
Darlington had a couple more chances prior to the end of the game with the ball being played just out of the box to Millie Garnett who struck just over and Chloe Bright harshly judged offside when through 1 on 1. Darlington saw the game out and will be happy to get back to winning ways. The team is hopefully getting over a rough period losing key players to a transfer and injuries but maintaining their spirit and trying to get their promotion push back on track.
Todays player of the match was the industrious and clinical Hattie Raine (sponsored by Krystal Sells).
STARTING XI
1: Cuccunato,
19: Large,
5: Wearmouth,
14: Tinkler,
18: Padurariu,
3: Carter,
16: Dagnall (c),
8: Doudican,
4: Whitworth
20: Sheridan,
9: Raine,
Substitutes: Peart, Bright, Frew, Garnett & Upton
Full Time Result:
Tow Law Ladies 1-4 Darlington FC Women
Goal - Darlington - Raine 7’
Goal - Darlington - Raine 19’
Goal - Darlington - Dagnall 23’
Goal - Darlington - Raine 25’
The next game is at home to Birtley Town Ladies next Sunday at Eastbourne, kick off 2pm
Here's the league table as it stands:
We'd like to thank our kit sponsors:
Hattie Raine (sponsored by Krystal Sells), Emma Carter (The Cheese and Wine Shop), Emma Doudican (Winroths Hairdressers), Sarah Frew (Chic Beauty Academy), Martina Cuccunato (Premier 1 Filtration), Caisey Lee (Engage to Learn), Olivia Whitworth (Terry Farley MBE), Natalie Peart (RA Dalton Ltd), Toni Upton (Dawn Fire Safety), Alice Wearmouth (Direct Flooring), Chloe Bright (Jordan Hanratty Personal Training), Chloe Tinkler (Glen and Mary Bowes), Millie Garnett (eco Hair Salon), Aimee Dagnall (Andrew Scullion), Gabrielle Padurianu (John Vickerman), Lily Large (Arthur Wharton Foundation), Katie Sheridan (Arthur Wharton Foundation)
