Darlington Women were knocked out of the Women’s FA Cup by the odd goal in seven at Wallsend on Sunday.

After being 2-0 down at one stage, they fought back and equalised, but then two debatable goals went in favour of the home side.

Manager Shaun Mackenzie said; "It was a tough one to take, it’s never nice going out of the cup, but it’s harder to take when decisions go against you. 

"I haven’t seen the goals back yet, but I’m almost certain the third goal is offside and also a possibility for the 4th but it is what it is. We don’t make excuses, we will take it on the chin and look to bounce back next week in the league.

"We didn’t start the game well and were honest with each other at half time that it needed to be much better in the second half. We got the reaction we wanted and looked more like the team we want to be in that second half. We fought for every ball, had an excellent work rate and desire to win the ball back and scored some excellent goals as well.

"I'm very proud of the girls today, sometimes it’s just not your day and today wasn’t our day. Getting a bit of luck in a game can be the difference and we didn’t get that luck today.

"We have had another decent run in the FA Cup and always give a good account of ourselves in this competition so we go out with our heads held high. We are already looking ahead to next weekend, the focus now shifts to the Washington game and the aim is to get our first points on the table in the league."

Wallsend were the brighter team in the first half and Darlington didn’t really get going. Wallsend took a 2-0 advantage into the break at half time. 

Darlington needed a reaction in the second half and they instantly provided one. Ella Leach came on just before the break with Issie Nattrass forced off with injury. It didn’t take Ella long to get Darlo back in the game, with a shot from distance that looped over the Wallsend keeper's head. That goal shifted the momentum and it was Hattie Raine who got the equaliser 5 minutes later with an excellent ball from Aimee Dagnall. 

The game was then end to end for the next quarter of an hour and the next goal was crucial. Wallsend scored 2 goals within 2 minutes on the 66th and 68th minute with big appeals for offside from Darlington but the linesman’s flag stayed down on both occasions. Feeling slightly aggrieved by the decisions this spurred Darlo on as they searched for a way back into the game with 20 minutes left on the clock. 

Wallsend defended well and it wasn’t till the 89th minute that Darlington pulled one back with second half substitute Izzy Walker scoring off the bench for the second week in a row. There were 3 additional minutes but ultimately time ran out for Darlington’s search for an equaliser. Despite exiting the cup, a second half performance that the team can be proud of. 

Player of the match was awarded to Ella Leach, coming on and impacting the game and getting the first goal that got Darlington back in it. 

Thank you to Wallsend Women, good luck in the next round and good luck for the rest of the season.

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