Under 17s move a point behind the leaders with 7-0 win

By Ray Simpson

Under 17s move a point behind the leaders with 7-0 win

Darlington FC Youth U17s 7 - 0 Houghton Albion Whites MOTM - Shoaib KahnU17s team is kindly sponsore...

Darlington Building society shop

Darlington FC Youth U17s 7 - 0 Houghton Albion Whites

MOTM - Shoaib Kahn

U17s team is kindly sponsored Tyne Tees Crushing and Screening Ltd

In very poor conditions, Darlington started the game highly and created chance after chance, with the two strikers and a few others missing from very close range.

The first goal came late on in the first half where Shoaib Khan picked the ball up in the middle of midfield and with some tidy step overs, he managed to get 1 on 1 with the keeper and beat him at his near post putting Darlington in the lead which was well deserved.

Going into half time only 1-0 up but very positive as they created a dozen chances and goalkeeper Andy Coulson didn't have to make a save.

The second half began at a very high gear keeping possession for most of the half, and the goals started to come in with a great ball from Dan Diamond for Tom Gilroy to head it into the far corner.

Jamie O'Brien got the goal he deserved with a great first touch out of his feet and a tidy left foot finish into the far corner.

Harry Gill added another goal to his name as some scrappy play in the box lead to the ball landed to his feet to poke in from 2 yards.

Luke Jenkinson was dying to score and a great run from Tom Gilroy with a cross across the goal mouth set Luke up from 2 yards which everyone was sure he would score but somehow managed to hit it over the bar!

All the players from both teams and coach Anthony Verity just absolutely shocked.

But Luke Jenkinson eventually scored making it 5-0 with good battling in the area and beating the keeper in the air which landed for an easy tap in which was well deserved for the striker.

Super sub Luke Evans came on and managed to grab 2 of the goals, with a great ball from Tom Gilroy across the goal mouth for an easy tap in and a great run from 35 yards, out beating his man and easily slotting it past the keeper.

A great second half with all players having a great input, apart from keeper Jak Wright who only had to touch the ball twice!

A quality result for Darlo taking them up to 1 point behind top of the league, and a great performance from every single player.