Darlington Youth Under 13s 4 Sunderland Castle Park 3 after extra time

Darlington Youth Sponsored by Darlington Building Society, The Flintlock Inn & BTS Fabrications, welcomed Sunderland Castle Park to Longfield for a Durham County FA Cup quarter final.

The hosts took some time to get into their stride after six weeks without a competitive game due to the Christmas break and games being postponed.

It was the away side who broke the deadlock in this quarter-final with only 8 minutes played. The Sunderland centre midfielder found time to slide a great pass into the path of his forward following a great run and he slotted past Bradley Morrison in the Darlington goal to give the visitors an early lead.

This setback seemed to spur the hosts on as they soon got back into their stride and began to play some great passing football.

With 15 minutes played Darlington drew level. Liam Wynn who was playing in a much more advanced role, found the run of Corbyn Mitchell with a great pass and the Darlington forward made no mistake, firing past the Sunderland keeper from 12 yards.

[caption id="attachment_16318" align="alignnone" width="300"] Matty Moody takes on a defender[/caption]

As the first half progressed clear cut chances were few and far between, however Matthew Moody and Corbyn Mitchell came close for the hosts, but the first period ended all square.

HT 1-1 (35 Mins)

Again the second half was also a close encounter and some excellent football was being played by both sides. It was clear Darlington were up against a physical side who had two very big centre midfielders breaking up play and keeping things ticking over for the visitors.

[caption id="attachment_16319" align="alignnone" width="300"] Corbyn Mitchell goes for another header[/caption]

With both sides defending really well, it took until the 60^th minute for the next goal to arrive. Liam Wynn’s inswinging corner was of good quality and Corbyn Mitchell rose the highest to head past the Sunderland keeper for his second of the game and gave Darlington the lead with 10 minutes left to play.

[caption id="attachment_16317" align="alignnone" width="300"] Corbyn Mitchell heads towards goal[/caption]

It looked as though it was going to be the young Quakers who were going to progress into the semi-final, but were dealt a harsh blow in the 70^th minute, when the Sunderland striker volleyed in an unstoppable shot from 20 yards, taking the game into extra time.

FT 2-2 (7O Mins)

Extra Time

Darlington took the lead half way through the first period of extra time when Corbyn Mitchell tapped in from two yards to net his 10^th Hat-Trick and 43^rd goal of the season.

HT 3-2 (80 Mins)

Liam Wynn extended the home side’s lead in the 84^th minute and he will do well to score a better one all season. After cutting inside from the right onto his stronger left foot, he unleashed a thunderous strike 25 yards from goal which flew past the outstretched keeper and into the top corner of the net.

[caption id="attachment_16320" align="alignnone" width="300"] Thomas Hindmarch[/caption]

Fair play to Sunderland Castle Park, they kept on going until the final whistle which enabled them to pull a goal back. Despite a very nervy last 4 minutes the young Quakers hung on for the win and will progress to the semi-final.

FT AET 4-3 (90 Mins)

Man of the Match awarded by the referee was Corbyn Mitchell.

Pics by Nick Burton