Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; "On reflection it is probably a good point, Rutherford is always a hard place to go and they always make for a competitive game. I think we are yet to win there in 3 seasons. There was some big moments in the first half and if we take one opportunity and go into the break with the lead it might be a different second half. 

 

"It wasn’t to be, and things looked a bit disjointed second half. Both teams had chances and both could have took the 3 points so a point is probably a fair result. I was once again happy with the character shown, to come from behind so late on and react to get something from the game. Sara took her goal exceptionally well and it’s great technique on the volley. 

 

"I can’t question the effort and desire from the lasses and they’ve shown that in recent games, we are going to be difficult to beat and will keep going till that final whistle. That point puts us top of the table but we aren’t getting carried away, we know teams around us have a fair few games in hand. But we’ve already got those points on the board and no points are a given in this league, we just need to stay consistent and take one game at a time. We look forward to  welcoming Boldon at home this week, in what seems like forever since we were last at Eastbourne. 

 

"Thanks to everyone for the support and we hope to see you there on Sunday." 

 

It was a competitive, even game throughout with both sides on top in phases. Both sides missed good chances in the first half to go ahead and the teams went in level at the break goalless. 

 

There was less football played in the second half as the pitch got heavier but both teams still created chances. Rutherford took the lead with about quarter of an hour to go and Darlington responded with the equaliser 5 minutes later. A fantastic delivery from Chloe Ryan from a corner and Sara Waites smashed it into the net on the full volley. 

 

Both teams had a chance each to steal the points in the last 5 minutes but it ended all square and probably a fair result overall.

 

Player of the match was awarded to Evie Whitaker who once again made some great saves with some excellent starting positions and put her body on the line a couple of times to save the team.

 

Thanks to Gateshead Rutherford for the game and best of luck for the rest of the season. Thanks for the hospitality after the game.

 

Here's the league table

https://fulltime.thefa.com/table.html;jsessionid=D83E581FF186CA4688B8BFD02AC79F25?selectedSeason=516237003&selectedDivision=371387182&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableDay=6&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableMonth=10&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableYear=2023&activeTab=1

 

Thanks to our kit sponsors:

We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Vacant 

 

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: Vacant

 

Sophie McNally:

Home: Vacant  

Away: Vacant

 

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

 

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

 

Lily Large:

Home: The Unknown Creative

Away: Lineside Fencing

 

Millie Soderman: 

Home: Corporate Personal Well Being 

Away: Kia

 

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

 

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: SR Entertainments 

 

Toni Upton

Home: Dawn Fire Safety 

Away: Dawn Fire Safety  

 

Emily Taylor 

Home: Northern Renewables 

Away: Northern Renewables 

 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Durham Blinds

Away: Andrew Scullion

 

Hattie Raine: 

Home: CNA Electronics

Away: CNA Electronics 

 

Katie Sheridan: 

Home: Darl Knight

Away: Vacant 

 

Lacey Baldwin: 

Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Away: Vacant 

 

Chloe Ryan: 

Home: Sign Lead

Away: vacant

 

Sara Waites: 

Home: Teesside University 

Away: Teesside University  

 

Nicole Graham

Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

 

Leanne Clennett:

Home: Stockton Town Rugby Club

Away: Stockton Town Rugby Club 

 

Lucy Hart:

Home: Top Spec Boots

Away: D&G Trophies 

 

Lily Wilkinson:

Home: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Away: The Tuns at Sadberge 

 

Lucy Charlton

Home and away vacant

 

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

 

Stu Burkin training kit:Vacant 

 

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

 

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant