Darlington FC U19's made a great start to the season with an opening day 5-2 win against Altrincham FC U19's in the National League Academy North at Billingham Town on Wednesday afternoon.

Raphael Oppong (2), Dom Stacey, Reece McMann and an Altrincham defender were Quakers' scorers, to give them a morale boosting win.

Darlington FC U19 manager Stephen Elliott said; "I’m pleased to get a win in the first game of the season. It took us a little while to get into our attacking rhythm, but once we did, I thought we looked dangerous down both flanks. There were some really nicely worked goals. I was delighted to see Raphael Oppong get a couple, as he is a player that thrives on goals and this will give him a good boost moving forward. We will continue to try and improve with the whole group and hopefully some more lads can push themselves in and around the first team in the future".

Team captain Jack Winstanley said; "It was a great result to kick off our season. Obviously, there are still things we have to work on and improve on, but that’s to be expected at this early stage. It was pleasing to see we have goals in us spread throughout the team. A big well done to Raph and Dom, who both scored on their debuts. Now we have to build on this win with a positive result away at Halifax next week".

Darlington found themselves a goal up after just 5 minutes when a pinpoint long pass forward from defender Adam Groom found centre forward Raphael Oppong who kept his composure to slot the ball past the opposing keeper.

Altrincham drew level on 33 minutes, after a mix up at the back between left back Liam Murray and goalkeeper James Hopkinson allowed the Altrincham attacker to get a toe to the ball past Hopkinson to equalise. 

On the cusp of half time, Murray played a great ball down the left channel for winger Charlie Mitchell to burst on to and deliver a great ball into the box for Dom Stacey to finish in style with the outside of his boot. Half time, Darlington 2-1 Altrincham.

Darlington came straight out the blocks in the second half and found themselves 3-1 up within three minutes of the restart when a floated ball in by Reece McMann was deflected into his own net by an Altrincham defender. 

On the 66th minute, Darlington were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area just outside the box. The Altrincham keeper pulled off a great initial save from the free kick from Oppong, but McMann followed in well to score on the rebound. 

A great switch of play from right to left in the 78th minute, resulted in a fantastic strike from outside the box from the Altrincham left winger, his shot flew James Hopkinson in goal to make the score 4-2.

In the ninth minute of added time, Raphael Oppong sealed the win with his second goal of the game to round off a great start for the young Quakers.

Starting XI: Hopkinson, Chidanyika (Jangira 70'), Rudd, Groom, Murray, Winstanley, Stacey (Maw 53'), McMann, Dixon (Bradley 76'), Mitchell (Dagnall 64') & Oppong

Subs not used: Pontone