Women's team score nine in opening friendly
By Ray Simpson
Horden on the receiving end as Sophie scores four
Our Women's team started their pre-season friendly programme with an amphatic 9-1 home win over Horden at Eastbourne on Sunday.
Sophie Curle, who has returned to the club after a brief spell with Middlesbrough, scored four of the goals, but there were some impressive performances throughout the team.
Manager Shaun MacKenzie was delighted with the performance, and said; "It was good to get back on the pitch and get some minutes in the legs after a few weeks back in training. It was a great start and we showed what we are capable of this season. With a few key players missing today, it gave me chance to hand out a few more debuts and have a look at a few different things.
"It was brilliant to see Soph back in that Darlington number 15 shirt, reminding fans what she will bring this season. It was also fantastic to finally hand Evie Whittaker her debut in goal today and give new signing Chloe Ryan a run out after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. She’s been working really hard with Dan (the physio) to get fit and it’s probably a come a little earlier than expected, we will be careful with Chloe and monitor her closely on her return.
"The most pleasing thing for me today was to see young Nichole Graham grab her opportunity with both hands. She’s trained with us a few times and with a few players away on holiday this weekend, it was a good chance to shot her in. I can honestly say she’s one of the most hard working girls I have ever coached and having known her since she was around 10, her attitude has always been the same. Just goes to show hard work pays off and she fully deserved her goals today, the first touch and finish for the second one was top quality.
"Nicole is now the fifth youth product I have handed a debut too, just a year on since the start of the team and it proves how much talent we have at this club in the youth setup."
The time away showed early on as Darlington made a sluggish start with a lack of pressing and off the ball runs meaning Darlington were struggling to get into the game. Darlington did make early chances but it was Horden who got the first goal when a lack of awareness from a throw in meant Horden could break quickly down the right and overrun the defence creating the opportunity and taking the lead after the 8th minute.
Darlington got better and began to vent more attacks and were only stopped by hitting the woodwork and some inspired goalkeeping from the Horden goalkeeper. This meant Horden got to the first drinks break without conceding and maintaining the lead.
The drinks break gave time for manager Shaun Mckenzie to give some focus to the team and they came out after the break invigorated with more of a purpose.
After half an hour of play a corner was played into the box which fell to Lacey Baldwin who struck at goal and this time the keeper could not save the ball and her first goal for Darlington gave them the equaliser.
It was only four minutes later when Sophie Curle was back doing what she does best putting the ball in the back of the net and giving Darlington the lead. This was swiftly followed up three minutes later with a goal for marauding left wing back Emma Carter who got high up the pitch and finished to put Darlington 3-1 ahead.
There was still time before the half was over for Curle to score again and this gave Darlington a three goal advantage.
At half time Darlington made a number of changes with debuts for Evie Whittaker in goal aswell as Nichole Graham and new signing Chloe Ryan.
Darlington started strongly in the second half and were retaining possession well, keeping hold of the ball and building the attacks. Chloe Bright had an effort from wide on the right which beat the keeper but unfortunately hit off the crossbar. It wasn’t long however until she did get her goal breaking in down the right again and poking the ball past the keeper.
On 73 minutes Curle scored again to complete her hat trick, showing again how deadly of a finisher she is and putting Darlington 6-1 up. A great moment on 80 minutes when after a number of close attempts Nicole Graham got a debut goal to joyous celebrations. She followed this up with another goal 5 minutes later to mark a great debut performance.
The last goal of the day typically went to Sophie Curle ending the scoring right at the end of the match giving Darlington a 9-1 win.
It was a strong first performance back from the team after an early struggle with a good run out for all the players and a lot of positives. A clean sheet for Whittaker and goals for Graham with Alice Wearmouth taking the captain's armband in the second half for the first time.
Player of the match was awarded to Lacey Baldwin (sponsored by Lineside Fencing NE Ltd) for a strong and energetic show in the middle of the park capped off with her first goal. Darlington are going to face some tough opposition in pre season and will hope to build on this performance going forward.
Their next game is at Hartlepool United Women on Sunday, kick off 2pm.
The club would like to thank the following player kit sponsors this season:
Martina Cuccunato:
Home: Premier 1 Filtration
Away: Vacant
Ellen Atkinson:
Home: LW & GM Atkinsons & Son
Away: Harker Coaches
Evie Whittaker:
Home: Vacant
Away: Vacant
Emma Carter:
Home: Direct Flooring
Away: vacant
Alice Wearmouth:
Home: Direct Flooring
Away: Vacant
Sarah Frew:
Home: Vacant
Away: Vacant
Gabi Paduriaru:
Home: Vacant
Away: Vacant
Millie Garnett:
Home: Eco Hair Salon
Away: Vacant
Lily Large:
Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation
Away: Vacant
Chloe Tinkler:
Home: Vacant
Away: Vacant
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
Sophie Curle:
Home: Arthur Taylor Carpet Fitting Services
Away: Raisco Limited
Lacey Baldwin:
Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd
Away: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd
Elisha Wright:
Home: Vacant
Away: Vacant
Chloe Ryan:
Home: TBA
Away: TBA
Caisey Lee
Home: vacant
Away: vacant
Management team:
Shaun Mackenzie training kit: Vacant
Sam Pascoe training kit: NC Group LTD
Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant
Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant
