Darlington Women went top of the table with a 1-1 draw at Gateshead Rutherford on Sunday.
The home side took the lead in the second half, but Quakers quickly equalised, and almost won the game in the closing minutes.
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
