Our Women’s team warmed up for their big FA cup tie at Fylde next week with a comfortable 6-1 home win over Newton Aycliffe on Sunday.

Lily Wilkinson ran the Aycliffe defence ragged, scoring four, with Chloe Ryan and Nicole Graham scoring the others.

Manager Shaun Mackenzie said; “I am really pleased with the performance. We dominated the game and played some lovely football. We were patient in possession and built up our play well, creating plenty of chances. Our decision making was top notch and we were clinical in front of goal.

“I am over the moon for Lily Wilkinson to get her goals, as we know she has the quality. She shows it in training every week. However, it hasn’t really fallen for her in front of goal. She had a great pre season and her goal last week earned her a start and she certainly took her chance. It wasn’t just her goals, her overall performance was fantastic and Aycliffe couldn’t live with her. I think we sometimes forget how young the squad still is and Lily is still only 18. Hopefully many more goals for Lily to come this season.

“I thought it was a complete performance and the only thing we are disappointed with is conceding a sloppy goal early in the second half. We’ve got to get tighter in those situations and not allow the opposition to have too much time and space. But we did react well to conceding the goal and got back on top to finish the game off and then see it out.

“We now look forward to a trip to Fylde next week in the FA Cup, it’s going to be a big test for the girls but we are up for the challenge and we will certainly enjoy the occasion.”

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett:

Darlington controlled possession in the early stages with Aycliffe sitting deep and allowing Darlo to have plenty of the ball. Aycliffe defended well for the first 20 minutes and still offered something going forward and were always a threat on the counter. It took 25 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, with Lily Wilkinson opening the scoring. A goal made by Wilkinson and finished by Wilkinson to make it 1-0, Lily leading the line today with Hattie Raine unavailable. 

It wasn’t long before Wilkinson was on the scoresheet again, this time linking up with Chloe Ryan who played a great through ball for Wilkinson to latch on too and finish well for her second of the day. Five minutes later and it turned into the Lily Wilkinson show with a third goal on the 38th minute and probably her best of the day to seal her first half hat-trick. A good ball from Sara Ellis saw Lily dance through the defence and twist and turn a few times in the box, before coming back onto her right foot and lofting it over the keeper’s head to make it 3-0.

Just before half time, Darlington were awarded a free kick and quick thinking from captain Lou Brown, set Nicole Graham on a run through the middle of the pitch. The space opened up in front of her and Graham drove forward before hitting it from around 25 yards out and the net bulged for Darlington’s fourth goal of the day. 

Aycliffe came out the faster of the two teams in the second half. They pulled a goal back early on and Darlington were caught sleeping to concede and make the game 4-1. This seemed to wake Darlington up and they took control of the game again and played some decent patient football in the second half. After some good play down the left hand side, Chloe Ryan delivered a ball across the box, to be taken out late and the referee pointed to the spot. Ryan picked herself up and buried the penalty into the bottom left corner for 5-1.

Lily Wilkinson wasn’t quite finished for the day, and she added a 4th goal of the day after some good work from substitute Lexie Scott who picked out Wilkinson unmarked in the box. Lily made no mistake to cap of a player of the match performance. A shoutout to Krista Williams who made her full debut for the club at just 16 years old and put in a great performance in the first half. 

Towards the end of the game, Grace Taylor seemed to have rolled her ankle and we wish her a speedy recovery. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious! 

Thanks for all your support it is always appreciated.

Thanks to Newton Aycliffe Women F.C for the game. Good luck for the rest of the season and see you at your place.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Today’s Player of the Match in the 6-1 win over Newton Aycliffe Women F.C was our number 17, Lily Wilkinson. 

Lily was on fire and ran rings around the Aycliffe defence, scoring a first half hat-trick and adding a 4th goal in the second half.

A great all round performance with some good hold up play and linking up well with the front 3. A fully deserved player of the match performance for the star of the show.

Lily Wilkinson is proudly sponsored by Pink Sundays. Thankyou for your support this season. 

Photo credit: Kim Hollins