Under 23 game abandoned
By Ray Simpson
Five opponents shown red card
Our Under 23s game against Coundon Cons in the Wearside League on Saturday was abandoned with five minutes left, after the visitors had five players red carded in one incident and the referee had to abandon the match.
From the very first whistle the lads were on the front foot, pressing high and creating chances at will. At times, Coundon were barely able to get out of their own half. Their goalkeeper pulled off a string of brilliant saves but Coundon managed to go 2-0 up at half time.
Thomas Southwood pulled a goal back in the second half, and as Quakers piled the pressre on the breakthrough looked certain to come as the game wore on, and the pressure finally told when Darlington were awarded a penalty. Just as the chance to draw level arrived, the referee stunned everyone by abandoning the game after he showed five red cards to the opposition.
The Wearside League and Durham FA will presumably carry out an investigation into the abandonment.
Manager Grant Cuthbertson said; "It wasn’t the ending that we wanted, but the performance from the lads was full of energy, commitment and attacking intent. There were plenty of positives to take and a clear sign that the team is moving in the right direction."
Man of the Match: Thomas Southwood – outstanding from start to finish and at the heart of everything going forward.
The Under 23s next game will be representing the club in the Durham Challenge Cup on Tuesday night at Billingham Town, kick off 7.30pm.
