Darlington Women started their pre season friendly schedule with a 7-0 home win over Linthorpe on Sunday.

Five different scorers were on the scoresheet, and manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “‘It was a good run out for the girls. The first pre season fixture is just all about minutes and all the changes were premeditated. Everyone is at different stages in their fitness, with some coming back from injury so it’s important we manage their minutes properly. It was great to be back at the Eastbourne Community Stadium and hopefully we put on a decent show for those who came along to watch.

“I thought we played some decent stuff, we gave the ball away needlessly at times but that’s expected in pre season with match sharpness not quite being there. However, I thought we improved on that in the second half and retained possession well. Was good to see the goals spread out today and five different goalscorers on the scoresheet. I think the pick of the bunch was Chloe Ryan’s second, which was a great finish, but Nicole’s free kick wasn’t bad either. Big well done to Tinks who stepped up and went in goal today with no Evie or Hannah available.

“We will rest up and recover, train well again on Thursday and look forward to welcoming Redcar Town Ladies to Eastbourne next Sunday. Thanks again for your support and we hope to see you there.”

It only took a couple of minutes for Darlington to be ahead, with trialist A getting on the scoresheet with a great header from a Hattie Raine delivery.

It took 20 minutes for the Quaker Women to get their second with a great through ball from Katie Bragg into Hattie Raine who finished well for her first of the day. The third goal and Hattie’s second came a couple of minutes later with another great through ball, this time from Chloe Ryan to Hattie Raine who had her first shot saved well by the keeper and then smashed in the rebound. 

Linthorpe then defended well for the rest of the half and the score remained 3-0 at half time. Plenty of changes for the Quaker Women, fresh legs and a change of shape saw Darlington continue to keep control of the game. Some good football in the second half and it took 10 minutes to make it 4-0. Nicole Graham stepping up and placing a decent free kick up and over the wall into the bottom right corner of the goal. 

It was 10 minutes later on the 65th minute when Darlington had their fifth. A fantastic delivery from Trialist B from the left hand side from a corner saw Grace Taylor leap the highest and put one in the top corner with her head. A great ball and a great header for the fifth. After coming off at half time, Chloe Ryan was re-introduced into the game around the 65th minute mark. It was in the 76th minute when Ryan had her first of the day with an assist from Chloe Bright. Both Chloe’s combined again in the 89th minute and a fantastic finish in off the post finished the game off in style to make it 7-0 to Darlington. 

A special shoutout for Chloe Tinkler today, who donned the gloves and played in goal in Whitaker and Billingham’s absence. A clean sheet for Tinkler in her first appearance between the sticks. 

Player of the match went to Chloe Ryan with two goals and one assist. The second goal was a fantastic finish in off the post. A great way to wrap up and finish the game off.