Darlington Women had a great 4-0 away win at Chester-le-Street United on Sunday to put them in the right frame of mind for this Sunday’s County Cup semi-final.

Sara Waites led the way with two of the goals, with Chloe Ryan and Nicole Graham getting the others, as Quakers enjoyed an encouraging win.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “I was really pleased to get the three points, it’s been a tough start to the year with lots of injuries and a lot of change but I feel things are starting to settle down a little. We didn’t start the game well, but once we picked it up and took control, I thought we played some good football and created chance after chance and should have scored mor goals. 

“I was happy for Sara to come on and get her goals, she’s showed glimpses so far since signing and on Sunday she really showed the quality she can bring to the side.

“Really good to finally hand Lucy her debut for the last 15 minutes or so after her injury since signing. I thought there was a few standout performances today with Shez doing well once again and Evie keeping a clean sheet on her first start in a while. 

“We now look forward to the next game, the County Cup semi-final, which will be a tough game against Chester Le Street Town a couple of tiers above us, but we must make sure we turn up and give them a game.”

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett:

Chester Le Street United Reserves 0-4 Darlington FC Women 

Darlington were without a number of key players including long term absentees Toni Upton, Lily Large and Lou Brown but also a number of other absences depleting the squad.

Darlington started rather slowly, and it was Chester Le Street who actually were dominating the ball in the early stages retaining it well and moving it around the pitch. However, it was Darlington who got the first significant effort on goal after 10 minutes when the ball was played down the right to Hattie Raine who used her pace to get in behind the defence but from the angle shot just wide. Two minutes later it was Chester Le Street who had a great chance when a through ball in between the centre of defence allowed the striker to break through for a one v one and it took a marvellous reaction save from Evie Whittaker to tip the ball around the post.

On 16 minutes, Darlington took the lead with a ball played to the right for Nicole Graham to pick up on the goal line. She managed to cut the ball back taking it away from the defender and she laid it back to Chloe Ryan for a late run in the centre of the box and she swept the ball home to put it in just off the inside of the post. Darlington were not at their fluent best but were beginning to get more control of the game with Katie Sheridan winning the physical battles and beginning to dominate in the middle of park and the high pressing of Graham and Ryan was helping to create chances, but they could not be converted.

It was on the 27th minute when the ball was played again down the right this time recovered by Chloe Bright who slipped the ball back to Nicole Graham who took a touch past the defender and finished to double Darlington’s lead. Both sides were still creating chances and Darlington had the best of them before the break with a delightfully placed free kick from Leanne Mulligan just dropped on to the penalty spot, but Graham volleyed just wide.

Darlington made a couple of changes at half time and on the 53rd minute it paid off when a corner was not dealt with by Chester Le Street and it dropped to Chloe Tinkler who pulled it back in the middle of the box for half time substitute Sara Waites who first time lashed the ball home with her left to increase Darlington’s lead.

It was only three minutes later when another corner for Darlington was not dealt with and at the second time of asking it was put high into the box from Chloe Ryan onto the head of Waites who rose highest to head the ball home for Darlington’s fourth.

Darlington still had to be on their guard with saves required from Whittaker and also some good defending from a deep crossed ball which was marshalled away by Gabi Paduriaru to deny a clear effort on goal.

Darlington did continue to press with the play being built up from the back with Paduriaru and Emma Carter ready to use the spaces out wide to open up the play. After Carter was taken off it was the turn of debutant Lucy Hart to get involved carrying on from where Carter had left off working to get the ball up the pitch to keep creating chances.

Darlington continued to press and came close with a late effort from the edge of the box by Lacey Baldwin but it was well claimed by the keeper. The score remained at 4 and Darlington will be pleased to get 3 points on the board to begin the chase for those higher up the table.

There were a number of strong performances with Emma Carter cutting out a lot of the danger down the left and getting forward to support the attacks and also Katie Sheridan who really dominated in the middle and helped to drive the ball up the park. Evie Whittaker made a strong claim for the number 1 spot with some key saves and calm distribution to help her claim her clean sheet. 

But player of the match was awarded to Sara Waites who made a really strong positive impact when coming on and took her chances well.

Darlington will need to take the positive result and build on it next week when they are in the semi-final of the County Cup, up against Chester Le Street Town who sit two divisions higher.