Hartlepool United Women 0 Darlington 0

Darlington were held to a goalless draw in their latest league match at Hartlepool on Sunday.

The game was littered with stoppages, and neither side managed to get into any real rhythm.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “A difficult game today for multiple reasons. I felt we did enough to win the game and if we took our chances in the first half and decisions had gone our way then we would have come away with the three points. However, we take the point and move on. Credit to Hartlepool who were much improved since we played them in the FA Cup.

“There are some positives to take from the performance. A first clean sheet of the season in the league and the return of Emma Carter into the team. She’s been out for over a year and has worked very hard to get back to full fitness so I’m delighted for Emma to get back on the pitch.

“Unfortunately Jen Harrison was forced off injured but we won’t know the full extent of the injury just yet. Hopefully it’s not as serious as first thought and we get Jen back sooner rather than later’

“We’ve just got to look forward to next week now, keep putting the effort and work in at training midweek and go again next Sunday at home to North Shields Athletic Women.”

Darlington had the better chances in the first half, coming closest, twice hitting the crossbar through Lily Wilkinson and Chloe Bright. The Hartlepool keeper also pulling off a couple of good saves early in the first half to keep Darlington out. On the half hour mark, Hattie Raine was clearly brought down by the last defender but the referee thought different and didn’t award a free kick. 

A stop start game in the second half, with the referee stopping play multiple times to have chats with both sets of players which resulted in a scrappy game and neither team able to get any momentum. A sin bin for both teams on separate occasions meant it was 11v10 in spells in the second half. Neither team could find a winner and the game ended 0-0 with both teams taking a point. 

Jen Harrison was forced off injured with 5 minutes to go. We hope it’s not serious and wish Jen a speedy recovery. 

Player of the match was awarded to Emma Carter. Her first game in over a year since knee surgery and it was like she had never been away. Good to have you back playing Emma.

Thanks to Hartlepool for the game and good luck for the rest of the season.

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