A last minute winner capped a great comeback for Quakers and kept their title hopes alive.

Quakers were 3-1 down at one point, but a rousing comeback gave them the points to keep them in with a chance of winning the league and promotion.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “There’s nothing better than a last minute winner. It was a great feeling for the whole team and in the end, I thought we deserved the three points. Fair play to Spennymoor who deservedly took the lead and brought the game to us. It wasn’t our best performance and our first half was below par but we showed that we always keep going till the end and showed plenty of character to get back in the game and bring home the three points.

“We weren’t quite at it in the first half but we grew into the game eventually and when we pulled that second goal back with 15 minutes to go, I had a feeling we could go on and win it. With the forwards we have on the pitch, we know we can score goals and it was just a race to get two more before the full time whistle. Very happy for Hattie to get back amongst the goals after her injuries this season and buzzing for Brighty to get the winner and her 10th goal of the season.

“I must give credit to Laura, Vikki, Ella and Izzy who all came off the bench today and played a big part in getting back in the game with fresh energy and some composure on the ball. Just goes to show that having a full squad is always beneficial and we haven’t had that luxury in the past few weeks. Thats another 3 points towards our points target and we will go again on Tuesday night in a big game against Boldon and give it all we have.”

Spennymoor started the better team and were 1-0 up from a corner in the 4th minute. Darlington struggled to get into the game for the first 25 minutes or so. A change of shape changed things and Darlington started to get a bit more of the ball. However, against the run of play, Spenny were 2-0 up after a decent strike from distance after Darlo didn’t clear their lines.

A reaction was needed and Chloe Ryan provided an instant one. Straight from kick off, Darlington went up the other end and the ball wasn’t cleared well and fell nicely to Ryan, who was arriving late on the edge of the box. One touch out of her feet and a great strike over the keeper to get Darlo back in the game. 2-1 on the 34th minute. Hattie Raine was then clean through to get the equaliser and brought down by the last player, the referee awarded the free kick, but no card followed. Darlington couldn’t capitalise on the free kick and although continuing to push for the equaliser it didn’t come and they went in at the break 2-1 down. 

Despite starting well in the second half, Darlington found themselves 3-1 down on the 52nd minute. Whitley came to collect but the Spenny forward nipped in and put it in the empty net to give them a 2 goal advantage. Despite some controversy over handball, the ref allowed play to continue and the advantage was the goal. With 15 minutes to go, the Quaker Women were back in it. Some great hold up play from Hattie Raine and then a perfectly timed through ball to Grace Dobson who finished well in the bottom corner for her 10th goal of the season. 

The introduction of Hodgson, Ryder, Leach and Walker brought some fresh energy to the game and Darlington continued to push for the equaliser. That came just a few minutes after the second, Dobson and Raine combining again. This time a good delivery from Dobson found Raine who took a touch and smashed it in for 3-3. 

With ten minutes to go there was still time for a winner for both teams and Spenny were still dangerous on the counter. With five minutes to go, a Spennymoor player was sin binned and they were down to ten players. This encouraged Darlington to keep pushing for the winner and they came close with the keeper making a double save, tipped onto the bar from Chloe Ryan and then also saving the rebound from Izzy Walker. 

With not much time left, Darlington were awarded a free kick just into Spennymoor’s half in the 93rd minute. A good ball in from Nicole Graham wasn’t dealt with and the ball scrambled around the box, before Chloe Bright passed it home into the bottom corner for her 10th goal of the season and to bring the 3 points back to Darlington. The referee played a few more minutes of stoppage time and the Quaker Women saw out the game well to put them on 29 points and currently within 1 point of 3rd with 3 games left to play. 

One Player of the match could not be decided on today. So, three POTM’s were awarded by each coach, Chloe Ryan, Grace Dobson and Ava Pearson took the plaudits but any player was in with a shout after showing the desire to come back from 3-1 with 15 minutes to go. 

Thanks for all your support. The Quaker Women are back in action on Tuesday night! A 7:30pm kick off as they host Boldon CA Ladies at Eastbourne Sports Complex (Pitch 1) with everything to play for as they look to catch Leam Rangers for the Premier Division title.