Darlington Youth Under 13s 5 Mount Pleasant Rangers 3

Darlington Youth (sponsored by Darlington Building Society, The Flintlock Inn & BTS Fabrications), welcomed local rivals Mount Pleasant Rangers to Eastbourne for their second league game of the season.

After four straight wins in all competitions, the home side went into the game full of confidence.

Darlington forward Corbyn Mitchell gave them the perfect start with a goal inside the first seven minutes. Alex Mason showed great vision picking out Mitchell with a defence splitting pass and the latter raced through on goal before firing past the Rangers keeper.

The visitors drew level minutes later when the pacey Rangers forward went through on goal and despite very best efforts to keep the shot out by Darlington shot stopper Bradley Morrison, the ball looped into the back of the net.

The hosts continued to press and throughout the half played some fantastic football which was a joy to watch, high tempo, excellent passing and some great play in the wide areas from Liam Wynn and Matthew Moody.

Thomas Hindmarch, playing in a more defensive role, was the creator of the next goal. His run ended in a fantastic ball through to Corbyn Mitchell and he made no mistake, firing hard and low past the Rangers keeper for his and Darlington’s second of the game.

[caption id="attachment_13848" align="alignnone" width="214"] Corbyn Mitchell 50 goals in only 21 games[/caption]

Two minutes later and Mitchell was at it again. Liam Wynn won a header in the Rangers half which fell to the Darlington forward. With plenty of work still to do 30 yards from goal, Mitchell managed to out-muscle the Rangers defender before shooting past the Rangers keeper for his 5^th hat trick in 5 games this season.

With the visitors beginning to fall apart, the hosts continued to play football which was a joy to watch. In the 29^th minute Darlington went further ahead. Liam Wynn’s corner fell nicely to Jacob Gibson and the powerful defender smashed in his first goal for the club from inside the Rangers penalty area.

Corbyn Mitchell made matters even worse for the visitors, when he netted his 20^th goal of the season and his 50^th for the club. Darlington winger Matty Moody continued his excellent start to the season with his 5^th assist in as many games, sliding Mitchell through on goal and he fired past the Rangers keeper from a tight angle.

HT 5-1 (35 Mins)

For the second half Darlington had to make a change in goal as keeper Bradley Morrison damaged his hand with his efforts trying to keep out the Rangers goal. Just like in Darlington league cup tie against Hartlepool Warriors, Josh Preshous deputised.

The home side has a number of opportunities to go further ahead through Matty Moody, Liam Wynn, Thomas Hindmarch and Corbyn Mitchell, however a combination of poor finishing and some good saves from the Rangers keeper prevented Darlington running away with the game.

The football in the second half however was a mile off what was played in the opening 35 minutes. That extra touch and time on the ball allowed Rangers back into the game as they managed to score a further two goals. The first netted from close range following a dangerous cross and the second from a set piece which flew into the top corner of the net.

FT 5-3 (70 Mins)

Man of the Match awarder by the Mount Pleasant Rangers manager was Jacob Gibson.

Well done to all the lads involved.

DYFC Match Day Squad: Morrison, Hanson, Gibson, Horner, Hindmarch, Moody, Mason, Atkinson, Browning, Wynn, Mitchell, Preshous