Our Under 23s put themselves in the right frame of mind for Saturday’s top of the table clash when they beat Hilda Park 6-2 on Wednesday night at Eastbourne.

Matthiew Kirokiro kept his remarkable form going by scoring twice, with Ste Dawson, Owen Harvey and Olie Walters getting the others.

The Darlo boys were at it from the off, posing early questions and it didn’t take long for Ste Dawson to break through into the box before getting his leg taken from behind and a penalty on the 10 minute mark. Kiro stepped up to finish calmly into the top corner. After Saturday's game the boys were keen on avoiding conceding messy goals but it wasn’t to be as a ball not dealt with chipped keeper Mason and it was 1-1.

Lots of good attacking moments from the boys but the final third our ball was lacking, or even more notably our finishing, a few chances falling to Kiro and Dawson which resulted in misses or good saves. One long ball over the top broke through to a very pacey Hilda winger, who volleyed home and they were 2-1 up. Composure was the message and Dawson took that on tremendously, beating three men in the box before calmly tucking the ball home to get the boys 2-2 at the break.

Kayne Williams came on for Sparrow at halftime and from a corner routine only 5 minutes, Owen Harvey with a looping header at the back post to give the boys back the lead. Hilda were giving a lot of free kicks away and Ollie Walters stepped up for a close one, edge of the box. Calmly lifted above the wall and into the corner, cracking free kick and 4-2 to Darlo.

Kiro doesn’t leave a game happy unless he hits at least a brace and he finished a well worked move calmly for our fifth, before Kayne Williams showed great composure himself for a tidy finish to round off the game 6-2. A competitive game but the boys showed great character to come back and put it to bed second half. On to the weekend for a 1st vs 2nd place game against Middlestone Moor

Starting Line-Up:
Liam Mason, Owen Smith, Owen Harvey, Thomas Southwood, Harry Butters, Ethan Cuthbertson, Will Maddison, Ollie Walters, Toby Sparrow, Steve Dawson, Matthiew Kiro

Subs:

Jake Patterson, Alfie Robinson, Harvey Hinckes, Kayne Williams, Ethan Mcloughlin, Thomas Martin