Darlington Women 2 Gateshead Leam 1

Darlington Women won their opening game of the season in the Durham County FA Women’s League on Sunday.

Goals from Hattie Raine and Aimee Dagnall gave Quakers the three points and got them off to a good start on a red hot day.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “It wasn’t the best performance to start the season, but a win is a win, and we will take the three points. The delay to kick off didn’t help and the hot conditions were difficult but it’s the same for both teams and the girls know it was not our usual standard and what we’ve set in pre-season. However, we still got the job done and I was pleased with how we saw the game out and still picked up the points, regardless of not being at our best. “Evie Whittaker was magnificent in goal and I’m really proud of what a good goalkeeper she has become, I think some of us forget at times that she’s still only 17 and it’s great to see her progression over the years I’ve been at the club.

“I am looking forward to how the girls react and raise the standards next week in the FA Cup, away to Bedlington. We have a decent record in the Qualifying rounds and will be looking to go as far as we can once again! “

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett:

It wasn’t the best of starts as there was a delay to the start of the game due to the referee not being available and Darlington needing to find a replacement.

The disruption seemed to affect Darlington the most as the game started with a lot of pressure from Leam, and they were the ones causing early problems managing to find quick balls through the middle and it took a smart tackle from Emma Carter early on to snuff out the early danger and also a big presence from Evie Whitaker one on one to force an effort wide. Within 10 minutes, Whitaker was required again as the Leam attack broke through the defence to get one v one again, but the keeper stood tall to block the shot. This remained consistent throughout the early period as Leam consistently managed to break the lines with a high ball and it was Whitaker who came out on top time after time.

Darlington struggled for the early period as they could not retain possession or build the play as passes were rushed and created errors throughout. Due to the high heat a water break was required, and this gave Darlington a chance to regroup and get some structure and organisation into the play. However, just after the half hour mark Whitaker was called into action again with a fine double save after some space down the right allowed gaps through the middle allowing Leam to break through. Darlington finally got a good chance as the half wore on with good build up allowing a strong strike from Waites. On 41 minutes, Millie Soderman picked up the ball at centre back and drove through the midfield playing the ball in for Hattie Raine who raced in to beat the keeper but poked it just wide.

Two minutes later after some more sustained pressure a long ball from Chloe Tinkler beat the defence and again it was Raine who was in, and she delightfully lifted the ball over the top of the keeper and it bounced in to give Darlington the lead which they held until half time.

Darlington came out strong in the second half and were on the attack early on with Chloe Bright causing problems from right back with the overlap. This resulted in a corner and in the 48th minute, it was whipped in deep by Raine for Aimee Dagnall to meet at a difficult angle with the head, but she got good contact on it and guided it over the keeper to double the lead for Darlington. This did not deter Leam who kept pushing and got a couple more chances with Whitaker again needed to make some good saves.

On 57 minutes a quick counter from Leam caught out Darlington, Whitaker rushed out to meet and forced the forward to deviate the run but just as they looked to score Emma Carter slid in with a fantastic goal saving block.

There was more good attacking play from Darlington down the right with Emily Taylor coming on to good effect and making an impact, causing problems and sending in a corner just headed off the bar from a stooping Soderman header. Chloe Ryan also had a good chance with a solo run through the middle and just dinked it wide over the keeper as she closed in on goal.

On 72 minutes, Darlington failed in the press and allowed too much space and as Leam broke in, they switched the play and quickly lobbed the ball over the on rushing Whitaker to bring the score back to 2-1.

The game ebbed and flowed throughout with both teams open and creating chances and the heat taking its toll with a number of subs required to keep the intensity going to the end.

Late on Whitaker was required again to make a save after gaps appeared in the middle but she stayed firm.

It was a tense end with Darlington trying to manage the play and hold on to the ball and they did it successfully to grind out the win. 

All though it was not the ideal performance, a win was required and the team battled hard which will be required for the forthcoming season. Gateshead Leam were a strong side who will do well this season and Darlington will need to make use of their squad throughout. The next game is an away tie in the FA Cup with the team hoping to build some momentum for the season away to Bedlington Belles.

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: Vacant 

Away: Vacant 

Millie Soderman: 

Home: Corporate Personal Well Being 

Away: Vacant 

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: Vacant

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: Vacant 

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 

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Stu Burkin training kit:Vacant 

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant