The Academy lads lost their first game in the Under 19 Youth Alliance to a late goal at Halifax today – but they put in a very hard-working and encouraging performance.

An older and more experienced Halifax side won the game thanks to a goal just five minutes from the end, to rob young Quakers of a deserved point.

Tommy Wright, who was in charge of the team for the day, said; “I was gutted for the lads, because they defended like absolute warriors all the way through the game.

“The individual and team performances were superb. Considering that nearly all of our lads are first year students, and all of the Halifax players are in their second year, then our lads did very well indeed.

“Halifax were really strong opposition, as they only lost twice last season. Considering that we’ve only had our lads for just over a week, it was very encouraging. Alan and I have definitely got something to build on.”

The lads have a free week next week, and so their next game is on Wednesday 26th September against Harrogate at Blackwell Meadows, kick off 2pm.

The Darlo team:

Aaron Burn; Liam Gardiner, Tom Lycett, Abdoulaye Kaba, Lewis Alderson; Harry Stansfield, Elliott Shaw; Kieron Dunn, Sanny Lingthep, Harry Healy; Brandon Morrison

Subs: Adam Lynas, Nick Cranston, Chris McNab, Callum Harland, Miguel Nunes