Our Under 23s were knocked out of the Durham Minor Cup in their local derby against Darlington RA Reserves on Saturday.

The Darlo u23s came out the traps well, testing the keeper with a couple long range efforts and keeping the ball well. A fairly even game with both sides starting well but the deadlock was broken on the 20 minute mark after a quickly taken free kick by the RA and a long range effort glided past Mason while the Darlo u23 boys were still getting in position, a tough lesson in staying switched on.

Harry Butters got himself sin binned after the goal and so were down to 10 men for 10 minutes. With 10 men and another silly free kick given away, the boys did the exact same thing again. Not switched on, a passed play through and finished very well by the RA for 2-0. Then only a few minutes later a ball over the top to the striker who chipped an onrushing Liam Mason and the RA had three. It was time for the Darlo U23s to show some fight.

A Jack Mortimer free kick on the edge of the box rattled the crossbar just before halftime before Will Maddison followed up and volleyed a goal back.

The boys did everything right in the second half, defensively stronger and good moments from all the boys. Dylan Helliwell steadied the ship nicely alongside Jayden Sekete and Mario on for his debut made some good runs. Darlo U23s kept the ball well and everything but they couldn’t find the needed goals.

Starting Line-up:
1. Liam Mason, 2. Owen Smith, 3. Alfie Robinson, 4. Owen Harvey, 5. Thomas Southwood, 6. Oliver Walters, 7. Jack Mortimer, 8. Will Maddison, 9. Steven Dawson, 10. Harry Butters, 11. Alfie Fawcett

Subs:
12. Dylan Helliwell,  14. Kayne Williams, 15. Mario, 16. Ethan Cuthbertson, 18. Jayden Sekete