Here's a round up of how our youth teams fared last weekend in the Russell Foster Youth League, Junior Premier League and Teesside Junior Football Alliance League.

Because of FA rules, we're unable to publish the results of any matches involving Under 11s and below.

Wednesday 6th April 2022:

RFYL Girls U11 Cup:

Darlington FC Vs. Chester Le Street United Blacks FC

POTM: Alice Todd

Team Coach Mick Walton said; "Our only midweek cup game was up against Chester Le Street United Blacks. The girls were out the blocks early, and it wasn’t long before we had the breakthrough which was followed by a few more goals before half time. Lots of changes second half but the girls kept up the same intensity and grabbed a few more to run out winners and remain unbeaten in the cup".

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Friday 8th April 2022:

JPL Boys U13 Round of 32 National Cup:

Darlington FC Academy 1-2 South Shields FC

Goalscorer: Cody Hutton

Team Coach Lee Hutton said; "Tonight we played a very good South Shields under the lights on the 3G. In what was the last 32 of the JPL National Cup, both teams that have very talented squads knew that we were in for an evenly matched game that was always going to be a closely contested.

In the first half South Shields retained possession better than us and won a lot more first and second balls. Mid way through the half they went 1-0 up and it stayed like that until half time.

At half time we changed from 4-5-1 to more of a 4-4-1-1 and this seemed to help. Unfortunately, we went 2-0 down around 15 mins into the second half.

In the last 20 mins of the game, we played some really good football and got back into the game when Cody Hutton poked a goal in at the back post. It was back to the walls for South Shields in the last 10 mins, and we almost got an equaliser on a couple of occasions".

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Saturday 9th April 2022:

RFYL Girls U10 Cup:

Darlington FC Vs. Spennymoor FC

POTM: Paige & Hettie

Team Coach Natalie Peart said; "The girls faced up against another tough opponent in the cup this week against Spennymoor. The game on a whole started slow, but the girls soon grew into the game and grabbed themselves a couple of well worked team goals. The Quaker girls dictated the play in the first half, and limited Spenny to very few chances. The second half was much the same, and the girls capitalised further. A clean sheet was also great to see".

RFYL Girls U11 Cup:

CLS Amazon Stompers FC Vs. Darlington FC 

POTM: Daisey Ripley

Team Coach Mick Walton said; "The girls travelled to Chester Le Street today and were quickly on the front foot with our front 3 causing all kinds of problems for the stompers defence. Darlo scored some really good team goals with a lot of passing and were in total control the first half. We came out second half with lots of personal and positional changes but kept up the passing and intensity to grab a few more goals, great team performance".

RFYL Girls U13 Premier Division:

Darlington FC 0-3 Hartlepool Pools Youth

POTM: Erin F

Team Coach Shaun Mackenzie said; "The Quakers girls played their last league game of the season today. It was always going to be a tough game with Hartlepool needing to win to have a chance of avoiding relegation. Darlington started the game well and had a few chances, but couldn’t find the net. Hartlepool got the first goal and kicked on from there, scoring another 2 in the second half. A deserved victory to give themselves a chance of staying up in their last game of the season. The Quaker girls kept going and created a few chances, hitting the post late on but it just wasn’t their day today".

RFYL Girls U16 Premier Cup:

Boldon CA FC 4-2 Darlington FC

Goalscorers: Livia L & Elisha W

POTM: Emalee H

Team Coach Scott Buckton said; "A tough game against a good attacking side but we hit first with a wonderful strike. A good attacking display though saw Boldon level with minutes to spare of the first half and Boldon took the lead in the 46th minute of the first half. The second half started the second half on top, but got caught out on two counter attacks, to extend Boldon's lead to 4-1. We struggled to take our chances hitting the post and testing the opposition goalkeeper but a late goal back was deserved for the girls".

RFYL Boys U7 League: 

Darlington FC Vs. Bishop Juniors FC 

Goalscorers: Olly (2) & Henry

Team Coach Chris Fenwick said; "Darlington again fell behind to an early goal before fighting back to equalise through Henry with a left footed strike. The second half was end to end, and Olly put us in front with his first Darlington goal. Unfortunately, Bishop Juniors kicked on and grabbed two goals to take the lead. A second goal from Olly meant a share of the spoils for both teams".

RFYL Boys U9 Premier Division: 

Sunderland Westend Vs. Darlington FC 

Goalscorers: Finley Childs (2)

Team Coach Sam Pascoe said; "Today saw the lads face up against a really good Sunderland Westend side without a recognised keeper due to our keeper Charlie Reay picking up an injury. Credit to Isaac Tonge and Jay Brydon who stepped up to play in goal. Sunderland Westend dominated the first half and found themselves 3-0 up at half time. The boys stepped their game up in the second half and took the game to Westend in the second half, showing a great work ethic and creating some great passages of play. At 4-2, we tried to put the pressure on Westend high up the pitch to get back in the game and as a result were caught short on a counter attack and Westends speedy striker sealed the win with their 5th goal of the game. Credit to the boys who all dug in the second half, but it just wasn’t to be our day".

JPL Boys U14 Cup:

South Shields FC 0-0 Darlington FC Academy (Darlington win 3-2 on penalties)

POTM: Charlie King

Team Coach Michael Eggleston said; "A very even contest that could have gone either way but no one could break the deadlock. Thirlwall, Nelson and Griffiths scored the crucial penalties, while Kalvin Friend was the hero by saving 2. Incredibly proud of the 13 players on duty today, a very gutsy performance".

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TJFA Boys U9 Red Division: 

Darlington FC Development Vs. Darlington Allstars FC

Goalscorers: Jake Johnson (4), Jude Nicholson (3), Isaac Tonge & Finley Childs

Team Coach Sam Pascoe said; "The boys went into todays game with only 7 available players and no recognised keeper. Despite this, the boys were absolutely phenomenal today and got a well deserved comfortable win. What impressed me the most today, was the way the boys conducted themselves on the pitch, they played with 7 leaders on the pitch and showed great respect to the other team. Super proud of these boys today!".

TJFA Boys U9 Blue Division:

Trimdon FC Vs. Darlington FC Foundation

Goalscorers: James Ward (2) & Regan Hughes

Team Coach Dom Webber said; "Trimdon were hoping for a win as they believed that would seal the championship for them and it looked likely as we lined up to start with only six players, illness and injury having ravaged our team. However, just before kick off Regan appeared, bravely deciding to play despite a painful knock he is carrying. You wouldn't have known it to watch him though as he covered every inch of grass from the first minute to the last. All of the boys showed the same application and worked hard for each other, always putting the team first. Many of them were playing out of position but they adapted to their new roles excellently and went in at half time 1-0 up with a piledriver from Regan into the top corner. Without the benefit of substitutes, we tired a little in the second and were punished for a couple of mistakes. Even then, with a bit more rub of the green we could have drawn or won the game. Some great assists from Maks and finishing from James saw us run them close. Outstanding effort".

TJFA Boys U10 White Division:

Darlington FC Development Vs. Newton Aycliffe FC 

Goalscorers: Freddie Curtis (3), Harry Coyle (2), Zac Macintosh, Ralphie Parker, Noah Hanifan & Archie King (2)

Team Coach Chris Coyle said; "A beautiful day to play some beautiful football. These boys are just getting stronger by the week! The passing, movement and hard work is second to none. It’s such a credit to watch and coach!".

TJFA Boys U10 Red Division: 

Marton Royals FC  Vs. Darlington FC Foundation 

Goalscorer: Max Dawson

POTM: Myles Brown 

Team Coach Paul Orton said; "In our penultimate TJFA game of the season it proved to be another good challenge for the boys. Marton Royals are a well schooled football team and the boys had to be alert today. Marton applied pressure from the get go meaning the boys had to defend well. As the half progressed we started to get a foothold on the ball and grew into the game. It was cat and mouse, we had just been on the attack when in the 12th minute a slight lapse in concentration allowed Marton to find space in our area and with a well struck shot the ball was in the back of the net. It stayed this way with both teams passing well and trying to play through the lines. Good distribution from Tom in the Darlington goal gave us the base to build as we worked the ball forward. Our boys asserted pressure on the Marton defence and had good attacking spells. We came very close to scoring on the stroke of half time when Coleson unleashed a good effort which was well saved to the Marton keepers bottom right.

In the second half we started very brightly. A few early attacking moments gave us belief and momentum, we could sense a goal was coming. It was a well taken corner kick by Thomas on the 36th minute which Marton failed to deal with, the ball fell to Max who hammered home. Our passing improved in the second period with the ball flowing quicker and space opening up in wide areas. Both teams were resilient in their defensive play and as the game came to a close it was stalemate.
Another outstanding game in a development league of the highest standard. Well done to both teams. We will enjoy the Easter break now and recharge the batteries ready for fixtures against Newcastle United Academy & NUFC Development then onto our final game of the season at Seaton Carew on 1st May".

TJFA Boys U13 Division 1: 

Boro Rangers Green 0-7 Darlington FC Development

Goalscorers: Paddy Key (3), Cody Hutton (2), Tom Rochester & Joe Raper

Team Coach Lee Hutton said; "Today we played Boro Rangers Greens away. Despite a slow start, the boys found their rhythm as the game went on and came out 7-0 winners".

TJFA Boys U16 Division 3: 

Darlington FC Foundation 3-3 Eaglescliffe Elementis Yellows FC

Goalscorers: Leo Pontone, Shay Simmons & Oliver Walters

Team Coach Grant Cuthbertson said; "We could of gone in to our shells today due to only managing to field 10 players due to injury and late withdrawals. The lads seemed to take this as a challenge and went 1-0 up from a corner that Leo Pontone headed in. The game settled down and chances were building up for Darlington that we couldn’t put away. Just before half time, Eaglescliffe scored after catching the defence flat footed. Eaglescliffe took an early lead in the second half and took the game to us. Liam Mason as always was a rock in goal and pulled off some fantastic saves. Shay Simmons after some good work in the 18 yard box created a bit of space to slot home to make it 2-2. On the 73rd minute, Eaglescliffe were awarded a contentious penalty after Oliver Walters was deemed to have handled on the line and Eaglescliffe made it 3-2. On the 76 min Leo Pontone broke the line in the 18 yard box and was brought down and a penalty awarded to Darlington, 3-3. A minute later, with Darlington attacking Shay Simmons was pulled to the ground in the box but the referee waved the penalty away. Very proud of the whole team today with only 10 players, they showed great resilience. As a coach, I was extremely proud of the boys performance today but I am slight disappointed as even though we only had 10 players, we could of and should of have won".