Darlington started their 2016-17 campaign in the Durham County Under 18 league with a home game against Stockton Town. Ben Potts reports.

Darlington 1-2 Stockton Town

The first visitors of the new campaign to Longfield School were Stockton Town. This promised to be an intriguing contest as Stockton finished second in the league last season and the Quakers finished third. With only goalkeeper Karl Robinson and central midfielder Ethan Harker still eligible to play from last season Quakers possess an almost brand new squad from last term. Incidentally one of those new players is Martin Gray’s son Jonty at left back.

Conditions for the opener were awful with swirling wind and driving rain playing a major part in proceedings. The Quakers had the wind in their favour in the first period. Dale Milburn took a brilliant free kick that skidded in front of the keeper who spilled the ball in a sodden penalty area and Sam Marshall was there to stab the ball home and give the hosts the lead.

It was an advantage that Darlington held at half time but the match changed drastically after the break. Stockton used the wind brilliantly and clawed their way back into the match. A mix up in the Darlington back line resulted in a great chance for the centre forward but his effort was well saved by Karl Robinson.

A free kick from out wide was driven through a gap in the Darlington wall past Robinson into the corner. A few minutes later the visitors were in front after a long ball over the top was finished by the winger after he exposed a gap in the home back four. Dale Milburn and Danny Raw both had great efforts saved in an attempt to bring about an equaliser but the Stockton defence held firm to see out the win.

Darlington’s next game is at home to Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night before a visit to champions New Hartley on Saturday