Darlington Under 12s win the Division 5 league!

Report by Jonny Kane

Hilda Park 2-4 Darlington FC U12's

The lads started well after knowing how physical the opposition were in the reverse fixture. Darlington went into this game with specific tactics which didn't really come into play until the second half, when striker Preston Gradziak started off as striker but then moved into defence and then back to striker later on in the game.

Darlington were passing the ball very well after some early pressure and keeping the ball on the floor instead of playing hoofball. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the opposition box after a foul on Will Gatiss, who got up to take it himself and nicely placed the ball into the bottom left hand corner to open the scoring, 1-0.

A rare mistake in the Darlington defence from an opposition corner led to the ball dropping to the striker’s feet and him finishing to make it 1-1. Darlington’s pressing game was a real success today, after the pressure put on from Preston, Will, Taylor & Fin led to the ball been regained and Finlay sending Preston on his way and him finishing neatly into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Just before half time Taylor Dunn added his name to the scorers list after good footwork on the left from Will to put a through ball in the path of Taylors run and for him to finish in the bottom corner.

HT 3-1

Hilda Park thought that they were going to have the momentum to start a comeback here after Darlington had a player down injured and the opposition coach on the pitch but the referee still played on with some of the Darlo players stopping after thinking the ball was out of play but Hilda players keeping it in play and going on the attack and scoring from that attack. 3-2.

Darlington soon put the game to bed after a short corner from Liam Cairns to Taylor and back for Liam to put a lovely ball to the back post for will to head in and the finish the game off. Some fantastic saves from Tom Youngs right at the death kept the score at 4-2.

FT 4-2

MOTM: James Preston - Had a fantastic game in defence for Darlo, constantly talking to the people around and putting in a shift at the top of the pitch as well when needed

Darlington FC U12's are now Division 5 Champions!

Kai passes 50 for the season as Feethams Under 8s hit nine

Report by Martin Williamson

Scorers: Martin6, Williamson2, Golightly

Man of the match: Martin

Sponsors: Webster Developments

The boys kept their 4th clean sheet in 6 games which must be some sort of record in under 8's football. This is all down to the hard work and unselfishness of Mason Theaker.

I sound like a broken record but this week was the team’s best footballing performance. Two of the goals that were scored included touches and passes from every individual player, as a coach this is what makes me happy.

Kai Martin took his tally for the season to 51 scoring 6, whilst Alva Williamson scored 2 to take his tally up to 19. Jenson Golightly scored the game’s other goal.

Jack Cameron, Oscar Thornber, Riley Singh all worked their socks off for each other and did everything that was expected and more.

Brilliant boys!

League Cup final

Darlington Under 14 Feethams 1 Fulwell 1, Darlington lost on penalties

Report by Adam Hudson

Sadly the U14 Feethams lost in a penalty shootout today in the final.

We took a 1-0 lead and should have sealed the game within the first half hitting the post and missing chances.

Second half the lads buckled under pressure and Fulwell started to build momentum. They scored a scruffy goal after the keeper made a save and fumbled it into our net.

We had a few half chances later in the game but we didn’t take them and the game ended 1-1.

We went up second in the shoot out and after our first penalty we went 1-0 down. Then Brad managed to save a penalty and we scored for 1-1 after two penalties.

At 3-2 on penalties to Fulwell our striker missed and give all the glory to Fulwell if they scored the last penalty then they won.

Unluckily for Darlington the ball hits the bar and managed to come down and over the line to give them a 4-2 win.

Hopefully the lads will learn from today and push on to win the league.

Sadly we let the club’s name down by losing the final but we will push hard and try to recover and win the league.