Darlington FC u12's 4-0 Shotton Colts Juniors

Darlington started like they have done all season so far, brightly without making any clear cut chances but had the lion’s share of the possession. Half way through the first half the first clear cut chance fell for Taylor Waugh as a shot from Dom Stacey was parried in the path of Taylor but he could only prod the ball inches wide. There were a few hearts in mouths moments when Shotton went clean through but found goalkeeper Jack Denham, in his first start of the season, in fine form to keep them out.

Darlington still were passing the ball around the pitch with much ease against their bottom of the table opponents, who did very well to stand tall and keep the Darlington lads at bay, until Taylor Waugh made amends for his earlier miss to put Darlington ahead with great reactions to the goalkeeper dropping the ball right in front of Taylor for him to volley into the bottom corner. 1-0. Before the break Darlington had the chance to create a bigger gap between them and their opponents, when they were given a penalty for a foul on Dom Stacey, for Charlie Drury to try the spectacular and put the ball in the top corner but put the ball over the bar, unlucky lad, Great try!

HT 1-0

After a few changes at half time, with the introductions of Alex Walton, Caden Beckett, Kit Hodgson, Thomas Youngs, Jay Haxell. Darlington started the second half a lot better than they did the first half with the lads passing the ball a lot quicker and a lot more battle when it was needed. The score was soon 2-0 after a great through ball ,from the centre of the pitch by Charlie Drury, for Finlay Tulip to run onto and tuck the ball into the far corner.

Darlington then started to bombard the opponents goal with shots from all over the place, with the 3rd coming from a Kit Hodgson corner being cleared to the edge of the box for Tyler Rowden to take a touch out of his feet and blast the ball into the top right corner to make it 3-0! The game continued with Darlington having much of the ball and quickening the passing up and just keeping possession, with it eventually leading to Charlie Drury adding his say at the end of the second half, when he got hold of the ball on the half way line and went for a powerful run at the Shotton defence who kept backing off and backing off, which meant Charlie just took the shot from outside the box into the far left corner

FT 4-0

A good first half but an even better second half from the Darlington boys! Very exciting to watch, onwards and upwards

MOTM: James Preston - every chance the opponents had to try and get forwards was cut out by James as he had an excellent game in defence.

Match report by Jonny Kane

Quakers u15s 8, Byers green 16s 0.

Darlo started brightly and played some lovely possession football but couldn't finish off their hard work particularly from new signing Coulby Shepherd who ripped the other team apart on the left hand side and put some lovely crosses over which went unfinished. It was a free kick by Oscar Taylor just before half time which broke the deadlock making it 1-0. The second half the lads went into overdrive and played some lovely attacking football and pressed high up the pitch pinning the opposition back. The game ended 8-0. Scorers were new signing Matt Mcguken 2 Kieron Greenway 2, Joe Chisholm 1, James Metcalf 1, Uchenna 1, Oscar Taylor 1

Match report by Stephen Luck

Stokesley 4 Darlington U-15s Feethams 3

Another lengthy journey this week to Stokesley in just our second league match of the season. To add to our long term injury woes, from the twelve players available three were carrying knocks.

The match kicked off in fine weather and good conditions but Darlington found themselves on the back foot as Stokesley pressed them, piling on the pressure, keeping their visitors camped in their own half. Slowly but surely Darlington began to impose themselves on the game but had to rely on a flying Kenzie Alton save to his left to keep things on a level pegging. In the final fifteen minutes of the half they found their groove and the trio of Euan Simpson, Bailey Proudfoot and Dylan Lewis pressed for a break through, Dylan and Bailey both going close on two occasions. With just a couple of minutes left though the hosts broke the deadlock with Darlington unable to clear their lines from a corner leaving a forward to prod home from close range. That was the last of the action before the halftime whistle blew.

The second half started a lot more even then the first, Stokesley as in the first half choosing to hit balls behind the defence from midfield while Darlington preferred a more measured approach, passing their way through to create chances. Keeper Kenzie Alton was called upon again saving high to his left when the ball seemed destined for the top corner from a shot form the edge of the box.

Darlington forced an equaliser moments later Bailey Proudlock popping up at the back post to slot in a squared ball from close range. At the back Darlington continued to soak up pressure of their own but the back four were doing their upmost to repel attacks. Josh Hammerton covering loads of ground while Alex Mason - nursing a sore back - made numerous interceptions. The full back pairing of Luke Corr and Sandy Gardner both stood strong as well as looking to get forward. The game continued to go end to end with both sides going close, Kenzie Alton tipping a dipping shot over his bar.

For the second week running the midfield found themselves under intense pressure from very physical challenges, Dan Smith again seeming to receive the lion's share. They continued to move the ball well both Spencer Soakell and Tom Horner passing the ball on as quickly as they received it showing great quality in the process.

Fifteen minutes in Darlington took the lead Dylan Lewis stroking the ball in the bottom left corner with his left foot. Despite taking the lead the lads were starting to struggle, Spencer Soakell playing with a broken big toe and Luke Corr had literally run himself into the ground following his return to the squad. The home side started to apply their advantage winning a series of corners and it wasn't long until they hit the equaliser from one such corner a brilliantly met header from six yards out. The tide was slowly turning towards Stokesley and as the half rolled on they peppered the Darlo goal, Kenzie Alton again tipping a shot round the post but from the resulting corner the hosts took the lead and a couple of moments later added a fourth. The seconds ticked away and somehow Darlington mounted a skirmish which saw Bailey Proudlock hit his second with a neat finish low to the keeper's left. This buoyed the boys but a couple of minutes later the final whistle blew.

Man of the match was a difficult one with all the boys leaving nothing in the tank. There was a argument for giving all of them the accolade but captain Tom Horner decided Kenzie Alton deserved the award with several good saves, narrowly pipping Josh Hammerton who himself was hugely impressive in his defensive display and supplied the passes for two of our goals.

Certainly more positives than negatives to be gained from this performance. A team performance with everybody pulling together. Nobody gave anything less than their maximum but in the end we just ran out of steam wether it be fatigue or injuries. We deserved to at least gain a point from the fixture but it wasn't to be, but the coach was very very proud of his team in defeat. Added to that Bailey and Dylan continue their record of scoring in each match they have played in.

Next week we continue in the first round proper of the County Cup where we welcome RFYL high flyers Sunderland Silksworth U-15s to Eastbourne.

Match report by Andrew Alton

Under 10s win away from home

The U10s travelled full of confidence, after last weeks improved display.

Darlington lined up with Luke James in goal and Ben Snowden and Harry Coley in defence. The three across the middle were Lincoln Newell, Oliver Mason and Will Coxon- Oliver Beacom up top.

The quakers absorbed some early pressure, but fell behind to shot into the top corner. However, Darlington were level minutes later when Oliver Mason finished low under the keeper on the stroke of half time.

Their opponents started the second half like the first, applying pressure in the Darlington half, but on this occasion Darlington were able to counter and take the lead once again. A big tackle from Ben Snowden which allowed Harry Coley recover the ball, slip it to Oliver Mason who fed Oliver Beacom through on goal. After the keeper saved the initial shot, Will Coxon fired in the rebound.

Darlington took this opportunity to turn on the pressure on the opponents goal, but were caught on the counter attack themselves, allowing their opponents to equalise.

The quakers continued to dig deep and pressed on, and took the lead once again. This time a brilliant delivery from Lincoln Newall was finished off by Will Coxon.

Ashton Newall replaced Lincoln Newall on the left wing, the latter having a very impressive game on the wing. His cousin, took over from where he left off, also having a very impressive game on the wing.

Again, Darlington didn't sit back, and two minutes later, Oliver Beacom fired the Quakers into a two goal lead. The young striker then produced a goal of the highest quality. Beacom broke through on goal, and seeing the keeper off his line hit a inch perfect lob over the keeper and into the net.

With a few minutes left, the Darlington goalkeeper Luke James provided another moment of the highest quality, flying high to his left to tip over the bar. An outstanding save.

Ft Darlo win 5-2

As a coach, days like today are what makes it all worth while. Every player give their absolute all for the team and badge, doing themselves proud.

Man of the match went three ways this week:

Oliver Mason

Will Coxon

Oliver Beacom

Well done boys but one win is one win, we go looking for the next one!

Report from Adam Willsher

(Could of had 14 moms today)