Dan stars in Under 15 Feethams away win

South Park Rangers 3 Darlington FC U15s Feethams 4

We travelled to Middlesbrough this afternoon to take on South Park Rangers. Our hosts had enjoyed a flying start to the season having won five of their first six games. Darlington was hoping to make this a third successive victory to hold their position in the top half of the table. The game kicked off and both teams were quick to show their intent, closing their opponents down as quickly as possible allowing very little thinking time on the ball.

South Park enjoyed most territory in the opening exchanges and broke the deadlock with ten minutes gone. A free kick floated in from around forty yards out bizarrely carrying in the wind to loop over ‘keeper Bailey Proudlock.

Five minutes later it seemed as if Ollie Johnson had levelled things with a sweetly hit shot from outside the box. Clipping the underside of the bar, fortunately for the hosts the ball somehow staying out and finding its way into the ‘keeper’s hands. Just as it looked Darlington would finish the half behind, Josh Hammerton slotted a ball through to Liam Wynn to hit low to the keeper’s left to level things up with a couple minutes remaining.

Out for the second half, the lads rather than building on the momentum of their equaliser found themselves trailing once again. Across from wide on the left found Bailey Proudlock only able to help the ball on its way as it sailed over his head, an attacker on hand to tap in. Minutes later with South Park enjoying their best period in the game they increased the deficit to two. A delightful through ball and the attacker dancing round the keeper and slotting the ball into the net to make it 3-1.

The hosts could be forgiven that with a little over twenty minutes remaining that the game was theirs. Led by the central midfield trio of Spencer Soakell, Dan Smith and Tom Horner though, the lads were to prove that that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Add Liam Wynn and Ollie Johnson chasing down defenders, Joe Hanson and fellow wingback Euan Simpson working backwards and forwards and finally the back three of Josh Hammerton, Alex Mason and Kieran Bowers repelling further home charges.

The first reply found Liam Wynn hitting a superbly struck half-volley from an uncharacteristic ‘route one’ ball over the top the ‘keeper could only watch as the twenty-five-yard strike flew past him. The equaliser came with fifteen minutes remaining, Ollie Johnson breaking through from halfway to calmly prod past the keeper. It wasn’t all one-way traffic though. Bailey Proudlock called upon more than once showing safe and sure handling each time. Darlington went ahead with Tom Horner clearing the ball under pressure which found Ollie Johnson racing past a defender to pick the ball up and again prod it past the advancing ‘keeper. Spectators looked on willing the ball to cross the line as it seemed to snag on the uneven surface. Finally, it nestled in the net.

The drama wasn’t over though as minutes later South Park won a penalty. The forward strode confidently up and hit the ball well but saw Bailey in goal swiftly dive to his left and cling tightly to the ball. There was still time for Ollie Johnson to hit the bar again and a couple of heart in the mouth moments in and around Darlington’s penalty box. The lads saw out the final five minutes and took the three points with a 4-3 victory.

Very much a team effort today, there were positives all around the team. Ollie Johnson hitting his eighth and ninth goals in the league. Liam Wynn also finding the net twice and both lads covering an awful lot of the opposition’s half. Stand-in keeper Bailey Proudlock looking less like a stand-in keeper each week, impressive in open play and saving a penalty. Dan Smith pipped Bailey for the Man of the Match though. An industrious display he found himself on the end of a few questionable tackles but not frightened to be physical himself. When he found himself with the ball at his feet he rarely wasted it almost always finding a teammate with short accurate passes.

Next week there is a trip to Marton to contest the Quarter Final of the League Cup.

Darlington Under 7s Feethams away from home

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Last league game of 2017 for the Feethams, the boys were excited to play thanks to the opposing team who moved the game from the grass pitches to their 3G pitch. The boys were in for a tough game after the opponents started brightly getting through on goal, goalkeeper Reece Dixon making a great 1 on 1 stop to dent the opposing striker. Again Reece Dixon was called into action making a great save from a long range shot.

Josh Everett and Harry Bass looked comfortable at the back with the help of Alfie Fenwick helping back with the defenders committing himself into tackles and then using his pace to try and get the ball up out of play or find another Feetham player. New signing Jack Liddle was linking up well with Cena-Cole Preistley but the opposing sweeper was on form to deny both players the chance on goal closing them down quickly.

The opponents managed to get a stroke of luck and squeezed in their first goal past Reece Dixon after the shot was miss hit but still managed to go in! After catching the Feethams out at the back the lads were 1-0 down. The Feethams were on top after they conceded with a great chance from Cena-Cole Preistley, he smashed the ball across the keeper but it just whistled past the post. Both attackers linking up well again Jack Liddle was through on goal looking to score his first goal on his league debut for Darlington Feethams but the opposing keeper denied him for his first goal with a smart save.

The lads were playing some good football and looking to find a way back into the game. Josh Everett was putting in some great times tackles and releasing the ball quickly to help supply the attackers. The Feethams work paid off scoring the equaliser through Cena-Cole Priestley, the goal came after a great run from Cena-Cole Priestley, using his pace to weave in and around the defenders and calmly slotting the ball past the opposing keeper. Just before half time defenders Josh Everett and Nathan Maddison made sure the opposing strikers were kept quiet making sure they were first to every ball.

Half Time 1-1

The second half kicked off and the Feethams were on top keeping the ball really well using the width of the pitch and playing some good one-two passing play. Jack Liddle and Cena-Cole Priestley combined well again to give the Feethams a chance, Cena-Cole Priestley’s shot was well saved by the opposing keeper.

The Feethams were creating chances but somehow weren’t finding the back of the net, this came to haunt them at the other end of the pitch after getting caught out at the back. The opposing striker smashed the ball past Reece Dixon to make the score 2-1.

A blow for the Feethams who looked to net the second goal, although these lads never stopped to find that goal. Alfie Fenwick played a great ball through to Cena-Cole Priestley but his shot hit the side netting of the goal after finding himself some space in the box. Harry Bass was making himself busy helping back with the defenders and getting up to support Jack Liddle or Cena-Cole Priestley in attack, putting in some good tackles in the meantime.

Josh Everett was denying the opposing counter attack stepping in to intercept the pass, the lads looked certain to get the equaliser. Nathan Maddison drove down the right hand side with the ball and tried to find Jack Liddle but the opposing keeper intervened picking up the cross and kicking the ball down the pitch.

The ball fell to the opposing striker whose shot fell wide of the goal. Reece Dixon played the ball up to Alfie Fenwick who was intercepted by the opposing striker who smashed the ball past goalkeeper Reece Dixon.

A crucial goal for our opponents saw them grab the league win, an unfortunate loss for the Feethams for their final league game of the year. The lads tried to find a way back into the game but it wasn’t meant to be.

Man of the match - Josh Everett