Quakers’ new Under 13s girls’ team got off to a great start in the new season.

The team has moved under the Darlington FC umbrella for the 2018-19 season, and Director of Youth, Paul Thomas, said; “There is plenty of interest in girls and ladies football, and with it demand for girls and ladies teams. We’re confident that we can provide very good facilities and coaching for them.”

The girls beat Plains Farm in their first game last Sunday.

The match begun with early pressure from Darlington F.C girls, Plains Farm managed to break away early in the first half to score a surprise opening goal. Captain for the match was Nicole Graham who managed to spur the girls on by driving forward with the ball and caused problems. The first goal came when Megan Tunstall’s hard work forced a corner that Elisha Wright pounced on.

Half time 1-1

The second half saw Darlington change to a three at the back with the introduction off Emily Hall into the defence. The heavy waves of pressure from Darlington saw them rewarded with two goals in a matter of minutes from Nicole Graham and Leah Hunter. Next came the introduction of Kate Hamilton and Grace Franks to add more attacking threats to Darlington’s 11. This was then matched as two more well worked goals were created with flowing passing as Alexia Linck slotted home as well as Megan Tunstall’s well worked team goal.

Full time 5-1

Overall Darlington kept the ball very well throughout the game and were in control for majority of the game, three players of match were chosen.

Lacey Baldwin

Alexia Linck

Megan Tunstall

Manager Harry Bowes said : “We didn’t deserve to find ourselves a goal down but the desire and commitment the girls showed to get back in the game was outstanding. The girls were exciting to watch and we deserved what we got, the future is bright for them and we are hoping to have another great season. Back in for training twice this week to go and do it all again on Saturday with another home game”.

Team manager: Harry Bowes

Coaching staff: Harry Bowes and Brian Baldwin

Squad:

Evie Whittaker – goalkeeper

Emalee Hall- defender

Tori Buckley- defender

Beth Wakes- defender/midfielder

Emily Hall- defender/midfielder

Elisha wright- defender/midfielder

Nicole Graham- midfielder

Lacey Baldwin- midfielder

Kate Hamilton- midfielder

Alexia Linck- midfielder

Megan Tunstall- midfielder

Grace Franks- midfielder/striker

Kacey Cooper- midfielder/striker

Brooke Gibbon- striker

Leah Hunter- striker

Last season these girls competed in the RFYL division one and came out champions scoring over 80 goals in all competitions and only conceding 10 all season with just one defeat and one draw all season.

Honours:

RFYL Division 1 winners

Darlington R.A tournament winners

League cup semi finalists

Sacriston tournament semi finalists

Golden glove award for our goalkeeper