Hartlepool Pools Youth Ladies 2 Darlington Women 5

Darlington FC Women made it three wins out of three in pre-season with a 5-2 win at Hartlepool Pools Youth – a great start for our new club.

Darlington were up for it, and it didn’t take long to get going. Darlo started the game well and with a fast tempo, pressing high and closing the ball down in numbers. It only took a couple of minutes for them to take the lead. Some individual brilliance from Emma Doudican, skipping past a few defenders on a mazy run before smashing it into the top left hand corner with her left foot, the keeper had no chance, 1-0 Darlo. 

Darlington played some good football in the next half hour and probably should have been further ahead if they took their chances. A few missed opportunities kept Hartlepool in the game and it wasn’t till the 34th minute that Darlington doubled their advantage. Some quick distribution from Martina Cuccunato saw her play the ball into space on the left hand side. Natalie Peart played it up the line to Emma Carter who had acres of space in front of her. Carter travelled to the byline with the ball before looking up and picking out Sophie Curle who was free in the box. A great ball in and an even better finish on the side foot volley for Curle to get on the scoresheet again with her third goal in just two starts for Darlo, 0-2.

Pools Youth reacted to going further behind and stepped up their game. They started to play better football and grew into the game. Pools created a few chances which resulted in a quick succession of corners. On the 40th minute mark, a good ball in from the left hand side, saw it trouble the keeper and go straight into the net. 1-2. Pools Youth were now back in the game and took encouragement from the goal and kept on pushing forward. The half time whistle came at the right time for Darlington and they had chance to regroup again, four changes being made for the second half. 

We’re looking for volunteers to help with the women’s team – a physio, a kit person and a videographer. If you’re interested, drop Shaun MacKenzie a line on girlsdevelopment@darlingtonfcacademy.co.uk

With some fresh legs on the pitch, Darlington started the second half just as fast as they had started the first. A good ball forward from Doudican followed by some good pressure from Hattie Raine, resulted in the ball coming out to the left hand side. Chloe Bright took a touch in her stride, before cutting back in with a touch on her left foot and burying it with her right into the bottom corner, 3-1 Darlo on the 48th minute mark. 

It was becoming a very competitive game and Pools Youth were never out of the game showing a fighting spirit. Tackles were flying in and after a dangerous challenge on Cuccunato, she dusted herself of, got up and a great shift up the field saw Sophie Curle get on the end of it the ball. With a bit of work still to do, Curle went on a great run and finished superbly to bag another brace, a first assist for Cuccunato. 1-4 Darlington.

Pools continued to work and for the next 15 minutes, it was a cagey affair with both teams having their fair share of the ball and creating chances. It would be Pools Youth who would get the next goal and bring it back to 2-4. Pools were back in the game and the next goal in the game was important.

The reintroduction of Toni Upton, saw her put the defence under pressure straight away and regain possession. The ball wasn’t cleared by Pools and it fell to a Darlington player on the edge of the box. Some fantastic adjustment by one of the Trialists has seen her it on the half volley to score a fantastic goal to impress on her first outing in a Darlington shirt, 2-5. The next twelve minutes of the game were played at a slower pace and Darlington saw the game out well with some good game management. 

*Player of the Match* Sophie Curle

A huge thanks to Pools Youth FC Ladies for hosting the game and we wish them good luck for next season. 

#WeareDarlo

Starting X1

Martine Cuccunato 

Trialist A

Chloe Tinkler

Alice Wearmouth 

Emma Carter

Trialist B

Emma Doudican 

Toni Upton

Chloe Bright 

Hattie Raine

Sophie Curle 

Subs: 

Sonia Frew

Natalie Peart

Caisey Lee

Trialist C

Trialist D

We’d like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Hattie Raine (sponsored by Krystal Sells), Emma Carter (The Wine and Cheese Shop), Emma Doudican (Winroths Hairdressers), Sarah Frew (Chic Beauty Academy), Martina Cuccanato (Premier 1 Filtration), Caisey Lee (Engage to Learn), Olivia Whitworth (Terry Farley MBE), Sophie Curle (Franks Carpets), Natalie Peart (RA Dalton Ltd)

Quakers' next game is at home to Boro Rangers at Eastbourne on Sunday, kick off 2pm.