Here's the match report from Chris Barrett

A return home did sadly not result in a return to winning ways for Darlington as they suffered a tough defeat to a physical Boldon side.

Darlington had started the better and got the first chance of the game when the ball was played through to Chloe Bright who created some space in the middle and managed to lift the ball over the keeper but it just sailed wide. After 12 minutes, Boldon took the lead when the Boldon players were given too much room and from 25 yards struck a good effort that was too high for Martina Cuccunato and it was in the back of the net.

It was only a few minutes later when Boldon doubled their lead. The goal came from a corner which was dropped into the 6 yard box which was not dealt with and again leaving space was the issue as the Boldon attack had enough space without being pressured to volley home from close range.

After 19 minutes Darlington had a great chance to get back into the game when the ball was played in to the box and the keeper rushed out clattering Hattie Raine resulting in a penalty. Raine stepped up herself and stuck it low into the corner but it hit the inside of the post to rebound back out across goal, thankfully to the onrushing Emma Doudican who put the ball away to get Darlington a goal and back in the game. 

Less than 10 minutes later, Boldon got another in a similar fashion to the first when the ball broke through the middle but the attack was smothered by Alice Wearmouth, for the ball to bounce backwards to the Boldon midfielder who had time to unleash another 25 yard strike which sailed into the top left hand corner.

After 35 minutes it was 4-1 to Boldon and again, another set piece conceded, from a corner in a similar fashion to the first. The ball was played in to the middle of the box and it was not cleared and it was bundled home.

Darlington came out in the second half more motivated and started well with a throw in from Gabi Paduriaru to Raine who played it on to Emma Carter who lofted the ball into the box which couldn’t be grasped by the keeper and Katie Sheridan picked up the ball and fired home for her first goal for Darlington.

There were further efforts including a great volleyed effort from Doudican but it was saved well by the keeper and Darlington could just not get another goal to get back in the game. The last goal went to Boldon, again from a corner which was played into the middle and the marking again not sufficient leaving Boldon to head home and subjecting Darlington to another defeat.

The second half showed signs of fight for Darlington's young squad and they will be hoping the injuries to Caisey Lee, captain Toni Upton and Emma Doudican will not be long term with an already depleted squad. Next week will be one of their toughest challenges and they will be hoping for the return of the influential Aimee Dagnall to the squad whose leadership has been missed.

Player of the match for Darlington went to Gabi Paduriaru (sponsored by John Vickerman) who had a calm and tidy game retaining the ball well and playing multiple positions due to the injuries suffered by Darlington.

STARTING XI

1: Cuccunato, 

2: Lee, 

5: Wearmouth, 

19: Large, 

3:Carter, 

17: Garnett, 

10: Upton (c) ,

20: Sheridan, 

8: Doudican, 

11: Bright, 

9: Raine

Substitutes: Peart, Whitworth & Padurariu 

Full time result:

Darlington FC Women 2-5 Boldon CA Ladies 

0-1 Boldon 12’

0-2 Boldon 15’

1-2 Doudican 20’

1-3 Boldon 27’

1-4 Boldon 35’

2-4 Sheridan 46’

2-5 Boldon 79’