Darlington FC Youth U17 8  Gateshead Redheugh  1

(Home kit sponsored by DBS)

MOTM - went to birthday boy Luke Jenkinson.

With the under 17's recent run of good form currently undefeated in eight games conceding only five goals and scoring more than 50 has enabled them to be in a battle for first place going into Christmas.

Coach Anthony wanted a fast start and the players produced, Luke Evans netting after only 30 seconds after good pressure leading to a defensive error making it 1-0.

The lead was doubled before the 10th minute as the keeper parried a shot that Luke Jenkinson slotted in from a tight angle, 2-0. The game then settled for a few minutes until Jamie O'Brien ran through and slotted in coolly, after a great through ball by Kelton Johnson splitting the defence an eye catching 3rd, 3-0.

The 4th goal came soon after as Luke Jenkinson was brought down in the box after beating a few players and drawing the foul. Jenkinson stepped up to take the penalty and slotted home sending the keeper the wrong way, topping a great first half performance by the U17s. 4-0 half time.

The second half started nearly as fast as the first, as the 5th goal came from great build up play from Luke Jenkinson and Luke Evans opened up the opportunity for Jenkinson to whip in a pin point cross for Johnson Ballan to nip in front of a defender and head home, 5-0.

The rout continued as a 6th goal followed as Luke Jenkinson beat a man on the wing and delivered a low cross that Luke Evans controlled and slotted past the keeper, 6-0. Darlo then switched off as they failed to clear a corner and were instantly punished as a low shot through a mass of bodies beat the keeper down low, 6-1 and the hopes of a clean sheet gone, something the boys really deserved.

The U17s wanted to put this right and Jenkinson cutely brought down an exceptional chipped pass by Nathan Wilson then beat a player and slotted past the onrushing keeper. Jenkinson hat trick 7-1. Ten minutes from the end, Jenkinson then added his 4th and Quakers' 8th as Luke Evans applied good pressure to the keeper, as the ball was laid to him by a defender, the keeper attempted a pass to the left back.

Jenkinson read it and intercepted, took another touch into the penalty area and a delightful chip over the back pedalling keeper landed in the back of the net, 8-1 FT. A good performance all round from the under 17's.