Darlington FC U19's got back to winning ways in confident style with a 7-1 away win against AFC Fylde U19's in the National League Academy North.

Raphael Oppong (4), Ciaran Dixon, Ethan Vallis and Charlie Mitchell were Quakers' scorers, to give them a confidence boosting win.

Darlington FC U19's manager Stephen Elliot said; "Jarrett and I were really pleased with the performance of the team today. Despite playing in difficult weather conditions, the lads tried and succeeded on many occasions to move the ball quick and get our attacking players on the ball in dangerous areas where they could create and score goals. We are seeing signs of improvements with every passing week and the lads are giving their all on a daily basis. Obviously, the result is a reward today and it’s always nice to win games, but the main object with young players is to help them become better players. Hopefully they will continue to enjoy and develop their game starting with our next training session".

Darlington's U19's forward Raphael Oppong said; "I think it was a class performance from all of the lads. We really showed the class we have got in this team, and I still feel as though there is more things to come from this team. It feels good to finally be back on the score sheet, especially with 4 goals. Like I said it was a great effort from the whole team with Dan Maw giving an impressive performance, which is great to see as Dan puts in a lot of hard work in training. We go again next week against Notts County looking for another 3 points".

Two changes were made from the side that lost 0-3 to Chester FC last game. Liam Mason replaced James Hopkinson in goal and David Bradley replaced Colin Jangira who missed the game through illness. There was also a first place on the bench for first year Kieran Marsden.

Despite the treacherous weather conditions in Fylde, the Quaker U19's started the game fast and less then two minutes into the game a dangerous cross from Liam Murray found the late arriving run of Dan Maw who headed the ball over the bar. 

Darlington midfielder Ciaran Dixon was getting a lot of joy on the ball and causing his opponents problems and in the 9th minute Dixon won a penalty for his side after a great mazy run through the middle of the park.

Raphael Oppong stepped up to take the penalty and saw it initially saved by the Fylde keeper, but Oppong followed in well to convert.

Fylde began to grow into the game, with both sides managing to create good chances in an open end to end first twenty minutes.

Another dangerous cross into the box, this time from captain Jack Winstanley found the ever dangerous Dan Maw who headed narrowly wide.

Minutes later, and midfielder Dan Maw hit a venomous left footed shot from 25 yards out only to be denied by the crossbar. 

It was only a matter time before the Quakers got their second goal, and in the 37th minute Raphael Oppong got his second goal of the game with a confident left footed finish past the keeper.

Despite Darlington looking in cruise control, the lads were punished for missing a number of chances as Fylde found a goal back into the game in the 39th minute.

In the 43th minute, Raphael Oppong completed his hat trick after another great run through the middle and equally good defence splitting pass from Ciaran Dixon found Oppong in the box, who finished calmly past the Fylde keeper. 

The second half started with both teams pushing hard for the next goal and in the 57th minute, the ever dangerous Dixon went on another trademark run through the middle and finished confidently to give the Quakers a comfortable 4-1 lead.

The 4th goal goal seemed to spark the Darlington boys into another gear and they soon added a 5th and 6th goal. The first being a goal scored directly from a corner by substitute Ethan Vallis, and the latter being a 4th goal of the game for forward Raphael Oppong. 

Darlington added a 7th goal of the game through substitute Charlie Mitchell, who had missed the previous three games through injury. 

Starting XI: Mason, Winstanley (C), Rudd, Groom, Murray (Marsden 78'), Stacey (Vallis 59'), Maw, McMann, Dixon (Dagnall 78'), Bradley (Mitchell 56') & Oppong (Pontone 70')