Darlington Women are now unbeaten in thirteen league matches after beating Consett 4-0 at Eastbourne this afternoon.

They adapted well to the wet and windy conditions, with Sophie Curle scoring a hat trick to give her a phenomenal 35 goals in 13 league games this season.

Here's a post match audio interview with manager Shaun MacKenzie:

And the match report from Chris Barrett:

Darlington took on Consett in what were absolutely brutal conditions with the teams facing incessant rain mixed with wind and the cold. The game started slower than recent games with no early goals today and it was a tough battle to start with. Darlington dropping deep inviting pressure from a battling Consett side and Darlington relied on the organisation and strength from the central defensive pairing of Alice Wearmouth and Natalie Peart.

Darlington were the ones who created the chances on goal with efforts from Aimee Dagnall and Hattie Raine but not sufficiently testing the Consett keeper.

Darlington were getting frustrated but after 31 minutes, the breakthrough came with good work from Raine and Sophie Curle who managed to battle their way into the box with Curle managing to get a ball from the right across the box for Emma Doudican to drive into the 6 yard area to put the ball home for the lead. This goal took Darlington into half time with a lead but with the conditions, it was not a comfortable one.

After a short break for half time the game restarted as it finished with the ongoing battle for dominance in the middle of the park. Darlington came out with more confidence looking to play some better football trying to build the play with the short passing game.

As much as Darlington were looking to play a shorter game it was a direct pass played through by Emma Doudican that freed Curle to get a run at the box on the left hand side and she then cut inside to unleash a low drive across goal past the keeper to double the lead for Darlington.

Seven minutes later, Darlington got a corner which was whipped into the back post by Raine and it was smartly nodded down by Chloe Bright into the feet of Curle who smashed it into the roof of the net to make it 3-0.

As much as Darlington were stepping up the gears, Consett did break through to get an attack after 66 minutes but their shot was saved well by Martina Cuccunato. Darlington continued to push on and after 72 minutes Curle received the ball on the right and drove inside the box only to be fouled by the Consett defender, resulting in a Darlington penalty. Curle once again stepped up and slotted it low and hard past the outstretched keeper and completed her hat-trick.

Darlington kept composed and saw the game out until the end. After an inspiring visit to the Arthur Wharton foundation prior to the game the defence will be pleased with the clean sheet lead by the player of the match Alice Wearmouth and backed up by Arthur Wharton foundation ambassador Martina Cuccunato.

Player of the match: Alice Wearmouth 

Full Time Result: 

Darlington F.C Women 4-0 Consett Ladies 

Darlington 1-0 - Doudican 31’

Darlington 2-0 - Curle 53’

Darlington 3-0 - Curle 56’

Darlington 4-0 - Curle 72’

STARTING XI

1: Cuccunato, 

19:Large, 

5: Wearmouth, 

13: Peart, 

3:Carter, 

10: Upton (c) ,

16: Dagnall, 

20:Sheridan, 

8: Doudican, 

9:Raine, 

15: Curle 

Substitutes: Bright, Garnett, Lee, Whitworth, Padurariu & Tinkler 

Here's the latest league table: 

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

The next game is the Darlo derby against the Spraire next Sunday at Hummersknott School, kick off 2pm.

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).