Darlington Under 17s 3 Gateshead Redheugh Under 17s 1

A great performance by Darlo Under 17s put them through to the Durham FA Under 18 County Cup final – a magnificent achievement.

Three first half goals set them up for victory, with Dale Milburn leading the way.

Similar to last week the Darlington side started well, Dale scoring after only 9 minutes. This high pressure start continued, Darlington scoring again a minute later, Dale beating the keeper once again, this time with an excellent long range effort. The U17s continued this dominant spell throughout the first half, with extended periods of possession. Their lead was further extended before half time by Joseph Smith, scoring from a narrow angle on 40 minutes, gng Darlington a 3-0 lead at half time.

The second half started very differently to the first, the home side coming under pressure from long aerial balls by Gateshead. However this was coped with well in a game which looked won from the beginning of the half. Despite various chances which accumulated over long periods of the second half, Darlington were not able to get a fourth, instead they came under pressure from a late burst by Gateshead, earning the away side their first and only goal of the afternoon on 80 minutes.

The following pressure was dealt with well by the Darlington defence, seeing the game out, ending 3-1.

Overall a game of two different halves, the second much more even than the first. As a result Darlington progress to the Durham FA Under 18s County Cup Final, following in the footsteps of the previous year Darlington side, who also reached this stage of the competition. Man Of The Match  was a tight call between a faultless Charlie Wiggan and an excellent Dale Milburn whose brilliant goals led to the home side's victory.

Darlington Side:

Dowding

Kilpatrick, Wiggan, Pulawski, Gray

I Smith, Hume, Donoghue

Shaw, Milburn, J. Smith

Subs:

Lambert, Wilkinson, Jenkinson, Bending.

The date of the final is yet to be announced, but we’ll be drumming up support to follow the lads in the final.