Darlington Women returned to action with a good 5-3 away win at Chester-le-Street Amazons on Sunday afternoon, after being 3-2 down at one stage.

After looking comfortable at one stage, they let their opponents back into the game, but they showed their character to hit back and go into the next round.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “I am pleased with the overall performance and happy to be in the next round of the County Cup. I thought we started well, settling into a new formation we’ve been working on and looked an attacking threat, creating lots of chances. I was disappointed to concede two sloppy goals in the first half and we gifted them the goals to get back into the game. Their third goal after the break was well worked and we started the second half slowly so they deserved their lead. 

“What a turnaround though, it’s crazy how a game of football can change so quickly when the momentum shifts and we went from 3-2 down to 4-3 in just a couple of minutes. I’m happy for Liv Whitworth to get her goal, making an instant impact off the bench and then a piece of class from Hattie Raine with the free-kick. Really proud of the desire to win shown by the team and it’s always the sign of good team spirit to be able to come from behind and get the win.”

Here's the match report from Chris Barrett:

Darlington started out strong with Chloe Ryan and Nicole Graham leading the front line and it was Ryan who was part of the early action as she drove into the box from the left and she was unfairly challenged before trying to get a shot away and the referee signalled for a penalty. It was Ryan who took the responsibility and calmly placed it passed the keeper to give Darlington a fourth minute lead.  

Darlington failed to capitalise on the early goal and allowed Amazons to get into the game and began to dominate possession. In the 13th minute there was too much space in the middle to allow a well-struck strike from far out and it flew into the top right hand corner for the equaliser.

Darlington began to look a bit livelier and after 17 minutes a high ball over the top from Hattie Raine was collected by Graham who dinked a pass through to Ryan in the middle who put it away with ease to make it 2 for the day. Almost straight away Amazons were back in it. A free kick from the right was swing in and the ball was pushed out by Ellen Atkinson, however it landed to an Amazons player who was not pressured and managed to tap in for the equaliser. 

Darlington began to look stronger again with a shot just pulled wide from Graham and a good header from a corner by Chloe Tinkler was well saved by the keeper.

There was concern on 31 minutes as two players went up for a header and clashed. This resulted in Katie Sheridan needing to come off due to a blow to the head.

Amazons came closest before half time with another long range strike crashing out off the bar.

Darlington didn't start as well in the second half with Amazons battling well and this resulted with some good play from Amazons, getting the ball slipped in to the right hand side of the box and a strike fired low past the keeper to give Amazons the lead.

Darlington then began to battle back into the game with Ryan, Raine and Lily Wilkinson linking up well to create chances for Raine. Darlington got their reward after 68 minutes when a ball over the top from Raine allowed Ryan to compete with the keeper. Both players met the ball at the same time and the ball got knocked away to Liv Whitworth wide on the right who reacted well with a calm smart finish that just evaded the retreating defenders. She had only just come on the pitch and made an instant impact with the equaliser.

It was only a minute later when Darlington were awarded a free kick from around 35 yards out and it was smashed high over keeper and just under the crossbar from Hattie Raine to give Darlington back their lead. On 75 minutes it was 5 for Darlington when a ball over the top from Ryan narrowly got past the defender and Raine took advantage stealing in and striking it in off the left hand post.

Amazons still battled on and looked to have another opportunity to pull one back when a player had a free shot from around eight yards out but a brave sliding lunge from Emma Carter denied the attempt.

The game continued to be a battle but Darlington held on to progress to the next round of the cup. It was not Darlington’s finest performance but they battled on and ground out the result against a side with quality who will have a big impact on the league this season. 

Lou Brown had another solid display at the back and there was a strong performance for youngster Lily Wilkinson who came on in as a replacement for the injured Katie Sheridan in the first half and was a thorn in the side of the Amazons defence.

Player of the match went to the unstoppable force Chloe Ryan (Sponsored by Arthur Wharton Foundation) who was relentless in her efforts and was also cool in front of goal to add two to her goal tally the season. 

Quakers' next game is away to Horden in the league next Sunday.

We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Ellen Atkinson:

Home: LW & GM Atkinsons & Son

Away: Harker Coaches

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Vacant 

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology)

Alice Wearmouth:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology) 

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

Gabi Paduriaru:

Home: David Stothard

Away: Colin Bromley

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

Lily Large:

Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation  

Away: Vacant 

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: Active Kids Play Scheme

Toni Upton

Home: Dawn Fire Safety 

Away: Dawn Fire Safety

Emma Doudican 

Home: Winroths Hairdressing  

Away: Winroths Hairdressing 

Olivia Whitworth

Home: Terry Farley MBE

Away: Vacant 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Andrew Scullion

Away: Vacant

Hattie Raine: 

Home: Thomas Watson Auctioneers 

Away: Thomas Watson Auctioneers 

Katie Sheridan: 

Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation 

Away: Ingleton Site Management LTD

Lacey Baldwin: 

Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Away: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Chloe Ryan: 

Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation

Away: The Little Quaker Distillery 

Caisey Lee

Home: vacant

Away: vacant

Nicole Graham

Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Sam Pascoe training kit: NC Group LTD

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant