Jack scores four for Under 8s!

Match report by Bailey Ramrehka

Sponsored by: MSG Dental 

Darlington FC Feethams started their season with an away game.

As soon as the game kicked off straight away the lads looked comfortable whilst in possession, they were controlling the game really well throughout the first ten minutes. The ball went out of play for a throw in to the Feethams, defender Harry Faso managed to perform one of his long throw ins which ended up going over the heads of the defenders It fell right in front of debutant Mikey Dowson who placed the ball over the keeper’s head and into the roof off the net. 1-0 Feethams with Mikeys first league goal of the season.

A smart save by the opposing goalkeeper from a Jack Liddle shot resulted in a corner to the Feethams, from that corner Mikey Dowson managed to grab his second of the game after he blasted the ball into the box and it hitting off one of the opposing defenders and into the net, a second goal for Mikey and 2-0 to the Feethams.

A third goal came towards the end of the first half after a throw in fell into Mikeys feet, holding the ball off really well once he picked his head up he found striker Jack Liddle who smashed his shot over the keeper’s head, a great way to score his first league goal of the season. Right before the half time whistle blew our opponents pulled a goal back.
Half time: 3-1 Feethams 
Jack Liddle dispossessed a defender and smashed the ball into the net to make it 4-1, a similar finish to his first goal. Our opponents had a 10 minute spell with the ball although goalkeeper Reece Dixon looked comfortable making several saves, Reece was mixing it up playing the ball long and playing the ball out of the back. His long goal kick ended up going to the opposition box with their keeper making the stop. Again, they played the ball to the first defender and Jack Liddle was first to react after stealing the ball off their defender again and striking the ball past the goalkeeper for his third of the game and his first hat-trick of the season.

5-1 to the Feethams so a change around for the lads with Jack Liddle dropping to defence with Ethan Sweet and Henry Taggart linking up front with Mikey Dowson. With Ethan Sweet and Jack Liddle performing their defence duties it didn’t stop Jack Liddle from scoring the goal of the game, after a defensive block in his own half Jack moved onto the ball and hit the ball right into the top corner leaving no chance for the opposing goalkeeper. A great strike to make it 6-1 to the Feethams. The game looked finished until striker Henry Taggart managed to squeeze through the defence and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 7-1 to the Feethams and secured their first win of the season. A special mention to defenders Harry Faso and Ethan Sweet who were strong at the back. A great performance from the Feethams with plenty of positives to take from the game. A great way to start the season. 

Man of the Match - Jack Liddle

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Darlington Under 16s 7 Willington Under 16s 2

Match report by Adam Willsher

The under 16s started the season with a comfortable away win against Willington FC. 
The squad included centre half Thomas Lee, who was called up from the under 15 squad. Throughout pre season many others from the younger squad have been involved, including Mark Gent and Matthew Callender. 
The first half saw Darlington take control, and were rewarded with a goal when Adam Kuzgan finished calmly in the 11th minute. 
The lead was doubled on 24 minutes when Liam Wynn found the bottom corner; and then trebled when Adam Kuzgan squared for Alex Snaith to tap home on the half hour mark. 
The Willington captain found the top corner on 35 minutes to pull a goal back for the Home side. 
Half time brought the introduction of Reece Armstrong and Luca Nelson, the latter getting himself on the score sheet within minutes- having been slipped in behind by Tom Horner, Nelson finished powerfully into the bottom corner. 
After Willington snatched another goal, Darlington fired in quick succession. Oliver Johnson scoring twice, and Luca Nelson adding the final goal of the game. 
Man of the match was awarded to Alex Snaith, who had this to say about the game and pre season. “On the whole, I think pre season sessions and games have allowed us to fortify strong foundations that will only be built upon as the season progresses, each session focused on a new idea which helped the lads to grasp a good feel for what Darlington football is all about. 
“As for the game, I think we started with high tempo. If we can keep scoring goals, stay solid at the back and continue to implement the coaches’ ideas, I have strong expectations for the team.”

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The Under 11s came good after a slow start – match report by Warren Newall

It was 0-0 till the 22nd minute when Darlo went 1-0 down to the shock of Sasha.
But this seemed to wake the boys up and stop them thinking about fortnight on the Xbox.
So at 26 mins Ellis gets the ball and plays in Jesse for our first goal.
The boys started slow again on 41 mins jack picked up the ball and played in Rudi to score 
2-1 to Darlo.
9 minutes later Ellis crosses the ball for Jack to score 3-1 to Darlo .
The boys had started to wake up at this time and with some good defence work by Ben , Isaac , Will and Ashton with Luke looking strong in goal with the midfield tracking back well with Ryan , Ellis and Lynx working hard 

In the 60th minute Ryan made a good tackle and the ball fell to Rudi who scored his second -- 4-1 to Darlo.
Darlo were starting to look as good as they have played all summer and on the 68th minute Tyler scored from a will throw in flicked on by Jack to make it 5-1 to Darlo.
But with the last kick of the game Darlo switched off and conceded a second .
Game finished 5-2 to Darlo .
Not the best game/start for the U11s today but a win is a win.

Will scores on his debut

Darlington FC U13’s 4-0 Lumley FC – match report by Jonny Kane

Darlington started the brighter of the two teams with control of the game from the first whistle. 

The lads were passing the ball with ease and the possession was flowing all the way up the pitch.  Darlington went 1-0 ahead after great work on the left hand side from Lucas Goddard, beating two players to get to the touch line and cut the ball back for Zak Blythe on the penalty spot to finish the ball into the far corner with his left foot. 

Darlington were then very unlucky not to go further ahead through Will Gatiss from a nice through ball from centre midfielder Will Maddison who sent Will on his way who then skimmed the post ever so slightly. Zak then got his and Darlington’s second after he cleverly lost his man on the edge of the box to collect the ball from the midfield and superbly turn and put the ball into the top corner from 25 years out, 2-0. 

Darlington again came out of the blocks strongly keeping possession and passing the ball about fantastically, they soon were 3-0 up after a great strike from Jake Patterson after the ball fell to him, 20 yards out, and he put the ball into the top corner from a half volley. 

Darlington sealed the deal with a nice placed goal from Will Maddison after some good one touch passes on the right hand side and will collected the ball and drives at the Lumley defence and nicely slotted the ball into the far corner with the outside of his right foot. 

FT 4-0 

MOTM: Will Maddison: great performance for his debut, ran his socks off all game and even got himself a goal

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