Last minute equaliser robs Quaker Women of victory
By Ray Simpson
1-1 draw at Consett
Consett 1 Darlington Women 1
Quakers were within seconds of a valuable win at Consett on Sunday afternoon.
Quakers needed victory to keep their top two hopes on target, but they couldn't find a second goal to make the game safe.
Manager Shaun MacKenzie was a bit downhearted, but felt that there were still some positives to take from the game.
“It’s always hard to take, conceding a last minute goal and it does feel like 2 points dropped but we have to give Consett credit for going till the end,” he said.
“It was a fairly even contest and there are plenty of positives to take from today’s game. I thought we defended well and we kept our shape, playing some good football at times. Just need to keep working hard for each other, believe in ourselves and ensure we are ready for the next game which is a cup Semi Final against the Spraire on 24th April.”
Match report by Chris Barrett
It was a tentative affair from the outset and it was likely to be a tough full debut for Lacey Baldwin who was replacing the influential Aimee Dagnall who was unavailable. Darlington were the first to get an effort towards goal after 9 minutes with some good build up play down the left hand side and the ball played into Katie Sheridan who sliced it wide. This was followed up a minute later by an effort from Hattie Raine who was on the right hand side of the box as she took control and fired it but it was straight at the keeper for a routine save.
The first significant effort from Consett came as the ball worked from the left side to the centre, but as the striker hit it , it appeared to come off the shin and swung wide. There were not many clear cut chances for either team with a few balls to Sheridan just being too long for the keeper to claim but Emma Doudican hit a wonderful diagonal pass from the left into the box for Raine but she was adjudged to be just offside.
After 26 minutes, Lacey calmly played the ball out to the right hand side for Raine who delivered well to the near post for Sheridan who battled with the defender and managed to create some space so she could strike the ball across goal into the bottom corner giving Darlington the lead.
Towards the end of the first half there were a number of strong tackles going in from both teams causing a few injury concerns including a 50/50 clash which looked to damage the foot of Alice Wearmouth, but the teams battled on. A chance was created for Consett and they looked to break through after an initial save from Martina Cuccunato, Consett looked to have a good opportunity to equalise, were it not for a brave sliding tackle from Emma Carter to strip them of the ball and clear the danger.
The second half was much like the first with both teams struggling to create any clear chances, but the best fell to Consett on the 58th minute when they had some good build up play for the ball to be played to the midfielder just outside the box who hit the ball strong at goal but it was just wide of the post.
This was followed up a couple of minutes later with a corner for Darlington and on the second cross, the ball was met at the edge of the box by the head of Sheridan powerfully directed towards goal but it was just over. Both teams began to look like the intense physical battle was taking its toll and the teams made changes bringing on fresh legs including a first appearance for Elisha Wright making her debut.
Darlington’s backline continued to limit chances with Wearmouth leading the way alongside Lily Large, with Emma Carter and Gabi Paduriaru nullifying the dangerous Consett wingers. As the game drew to a close it was a back and forth affair and as the clock was running out, Consett won a free kick wide on the right.
It was swung in on the six yard line and it wasn’t dealt with and ended up with Consett bundling the ball home for a last gasp heartbreaking equaliser.
This a major dent in the promotion hopes and now Darlington must make sure they pick up maximum points in their final tough run of fixtures.
Today’s player of the match went to Emma Carter (kit sponsored by The Cheese and Wine shop) who did a great job of keeping the Consett right hand side quiet and made a number of key tackles to keep Darlington in the game.
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)
