Darlington Spraire 4 Darlington Women 1

Darlington Womens' magnificent unbeaten run, which goes for 13 matches all the way back to the start of the season, came to a wet and windy end in the local derby at Darlington Spraire on Sunday.

Quakers had no qualms about the result, as Spraire were the better team on the day. However, Quakers stil ldeserve a huge amount of credit for the season so far, and are still within range of league leaders Hartlepool Pools Youth.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “It was a game to forget from our point of view.

“We had three or four chances at the start of the game and didn’t score, and it was a game in which the first goal mattered.

“The Spraire scored it and when they went 3-0 up, it was always an uphill task.

“Too many players didn’t perform. The Spraire had more experienced and stronger players, and they were more up for the game. Credit to the Spraire for the way they played and winning the game.

“Now, it’s all about how we bounce back, we must get back to winning ways at home to Boldon next Sunday.”

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett

A miserable day all round for Darlington as their unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of local rivals Spraire Ladies.

Darlington had started well and were in control of the game for the early period, building play and getting a few early efforts on goal but nothing to significantly test the Spraire keeper. The best chance Darlington had in the first half came after 17 minutes when the ball was played to Sophie Curle who had quick nimble feet to break through the defence but the shot was saved by the keeper.

Two minutes later Spraire were on the attack and won a corner. The ball was played just beyond the penalty spot and it was headed down and past the goalkeeper from a Spraire head to give the home team the lead against the run of play.

After this the game became more even, with Darlington struggling to get a rhythm and Spraire looking to slow the game down and manage the game and preserve their lead. It got worse for Darlington just after the half hour mark when the ball was played forward by Spraire and indecision from the Darlington defence allowed the Spraire striker to steal the ball and drive at goal and finish low to double the lead.

The game was 2-0 at half time and Darlington would need to step it up in the second half to get anything out of the game.The second half played similar to the first with neither side creating many clear chances, Darlington had played it down the left by Emma Carter to Curle who cut in from the left but put the ball flew over. Another effort came when Hattie Raine whipped the ball in from the right which was taken down well by Emma Doudican but her shot was fired over again.

After 73 minutes, Spraire got another goal when the ball was not looked after and was lost in the centre of the park. A simple ball put through for the striker to again finish well low to the left. Darlington were looking like they would not score all day but on 82 minutes Hattie Raine picked up the ball on the right hand side and drove at the Spraire defence and a gap appeared allowing her to unleash a great strike out of the reach of the keeper to get a goal back.

That was as good as it got from Darlington and the game finished with another Spraire goal on the counter. A clever switch across the edge of the box found the Spraire attacker who again was calm and composed and scored with a deft finish.

Spraire were worthy of their win and Darlington will need to gather themselves together quickly to ensure they keep the league in their hands. Very few showed what they were capable of and the team will need to come together and some will need to step up and show more leadership on the pitch when it’s not going their way. Hattie Raine was Darlington’s player of the match and she will need to keep producing finishes like today to get Darlington back to winning ways.

STARTING XI

1: Cuccunato, 

2: Lee, 

5: Wearmouth, 

13: Peart, 

3:Carter, 

10: Upton (c) ,

17: Garnett, 

9: Raine

8: Doudican, 

11: Bright, 

15: Curle 

Substitutes: Large, Sheridan, Whitworth, Padurariu & Tinkler 

Full Time Result: 

Darlington Spraire Ladies 4-1 Darlington FC Women 

1-0 Spraire 19’

2-0 Spraire 32’

3-0 Spraire 72’

3-1 Raine 82’

4-1 Spaire 89’

Here's the latest league table: 

https://fulltime.thefa.com/table.html?league=901345664&selectedSeason=85293540&selectedDivision=371387182&selectedCompetition=0&selectedFixtureGroupKey=1_97264698

We'd like to thank our kit sponsors:

Hattie Raine (sponsored by Krystal Sells), Emma Carter (The Cheese and Wine Shop), Emma Doudican (Winroths Hairdressers), Sarah Frew (Chic Beauty Academy), Martina Cuccunato (Premier 1 Filtration), Caisey Lee (Engage to Learn), Olivia Whitworth (Terry Farley MBE), Sophie Curle (Arthur Taylor Carpet Fitter Services), Natalie Peart (RA Dalton Ltd), Toni Upton (Dawn Fire Safety), Alice Wearmouth (Direct Flooring), Chloe Bright (Jordan Hanratty Personal Training),  Chloe Tinkler (Glen and Mary Bowes), Millie Garnett (eco Hair Salon), Aimee Dagnall (Andrew Scullion), Gabrielle Padurianu (John Vickerman).