Here’s a round up of how our youth teams fared last weekend in the Russell Foster

Youth League and the Teesside Junior Football Alliance League.

Because of FA rules, we’re unable to publish the results of any matches involving Under

11s and below.

Boys U11 Challenge Cup

Hurworth Albion Vs. Darlington FC

The boys started very well and their untold pressure led to an opening goal of the day by JL with a wonderful strike high into the far corner. Soon after this, following excellent combination play through the midfield JL was put through into the left of the goal area. Another terrific strike by him and the ball found the bottom far corner. By this point we were in complete control with good passing, positive play and a relentless effort to regain possession. In the second half we were looking for a repeat of the first half. Unfortunately it didn’t quite happen for us going forward but we still looked and felt comfortable as we approached the final third of the game. We were then dealt a blow with an absolute gift of a goal for Hurworth who up to the point hadn’t threatened except for a couple of flash attempts from distance which had gone wide. This time an Hurworth forward found himself with an empty net to tap into and it was game on. Not much change followed in the game but Hurworth definitely started to gain confidence and were trying to assert pressure which we dealt with well. Then in a typical cup tie fashion we had an opportunity to increase our advantage at one end with an open goal which was from a tight angle and unlucky the ball wizzed past the post and wide. It was soon after this the Hurworth right winger found space near the corner flag and managed to cross low. He had no teammate approaching and we never felt there was a danger but luckily for them the ball was not gathered and another gift as the ball rolled into the path of an onrunning HA player who was not going to miss from 5 yards out. We push for the decisive goal but it wasn’t to be. Full time and a draw which left us once again scratching our heads. The game went to a penalty shootout which did not go our way.

Goalscorers: JL (2)

Sponsored by:

First Class Learning

The Cross Keys (Gainford)

U10 League Cup Semi-Final

Darlington FC Feethams v Boro Rangers Blues

A brilliant display by the Feethams boys saw them come away with a deserved win against a physical and athletic Boro Rangers team.

With the squad depleted through injury, holiday and illness this was always going to be a game where industry was needed just as much as individual ability and the Feethams boys did not let themselves or their team mates down in that respect, every player gave it their all and never stopped running for each other throughout the game.

A mix up at the back early on saw an OR effort trickle across the line, before HS added a second with a great finish at the near post just before 1/2 time.

Boro Rangers rallied in the 2nd 1/2 and some smart saves from NH, coupled with great defending and covering where required ensured the clean sheet remained intact. SB added a brilliant 3rd after picking a clearance up and driving through the heart of the Boro Rangers team and cooly beating the onrushing goalkeeper.

The win takes Feethams through to the final for the first time, an occasion they thoroughly deserve!

Goals - OR, HS & SB

MOTM – CE

U13 Girls

Hetton Vs Darlington

An early kick off today in the rain on a very heavy pitch at Hetton who are just behind us in the league.

A good game from both teams in an end to end first half saw Hetton grab the only goal after a bobbled ball dropped to the attacker who made no mistake from 5 yards.

Second half was all Darlo pressure but as we went into the last 15 minutes looking like it wasn’t our day .

The girls kept playing their passing game which paid off when Freya broke through to outpace the defence and hit a low shot into the bottom corner to equalise.

As we were now on top we kept pushing on and it was Izzy K who grabbed a second to put us 2-1 ahead.

With 2 minutes to go it was Freya again who passed the ball around the keeper & got on the end of her own pass to finish and end the game with a 3-1 to Darlo.

Goals

Freya ⚽️⚽️

Izzy K ⚽️

POTM - Freya Wood