Darlington FC Feethams Under 7s win first game of the year

Match report by Bailey Ramrekha

Darlington Feethams were looking for their first win of 2018.

The first chance of the game came from defender Josh Everett, the ball fell to Josh outside the box who then hit it first time forcing the keeper to make a save after palming the ball onto his face and somehow keeping the ball out of the goal. Our opponents had a chance at the other end which was well saved by goalkeeper Reece Dixon with his feet. Harry Bass and Josh Everett were playing well at the back putting in some well timed tackles and playing the ball forward from the back so the attackers can create chances.

Captain Alfie Fenwick played a short corner to Cena-Cole Priestley who played the ball back to Alfie, Alfie squared the back into Josh Everett who found his way into the box but his shot was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. The keeper threw the ball to the opposing defender who was quickly closed down by Cena-Cole Priestley who intercepted the ball and was through one on one with the keeper. Cena-Cole showed great composure and slotted the ball into the corner of the net, 1-0 Feethams. Straight from kick off Jack Liddle gave the opposing midfielder no time on the ball closing him down and eventually winning the ball, the opposing midfielder turned round and swiped striker Jack from behind. Just outside the box. Cena-Cole Priestley took the free kick which looked in but just flew inches wide.

Half time Feethams 1 - 0 our opponents

The second half stared quickly for the Feethams as Cena-Cole Priestley was through on goal looking to get his second of the game, his left foot shot was straight at the keeper who did well to keep hold of the ball. A few minutes later goalkeeper Reece Dixon denied our opponents’ striker their first goal of the game making a great save to his right. Reece then dropped the ball and passed to defender Harry Bass who played the ball up to Nathan Maddison, Nathan passed the ball over to Cena-Cole who needed help from his team mates, defender Harry Bass came to support Cena-Cole and received the ball. Harry Bass then weaved in and out around 3 opposing players and slotted the ball into the corner of the net, 2-0 Feethams.

Striker Nathan Maddison was helping back making sure that we were to keep our clean sheet. Unfortunately that wasn’t to happen when somehow the opposing striker managed to strike the ball through two of the Feethams defenders and into the net. The Feethams held the lead until the final whistle blew which gave the lads their first win of the season. A great defensive performance from all the lads who really wanted a win today, a difficult but exciting test next week against Darlington FC Quakers.

Man of the match - Josh Everett

(Please note that FA rules do not allow us to name our opponents)

Under 9s hit double figures

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Match Report by Steve Perkins

The return leg of the league fixture against our opponents took place at Darlington’s home ground at Eastbourne, having been switched from our opponents’ ground due to pitch conditions after the recent poor weather.

In a thoroughly one sided affair, the home side ran out 17-0 winners with goals from Alfie (5), Connor (4) and Tom (7, two of them off the back of long range clearances by Alex in goal) and an unfortunate own goal from the visitors.

The Under 9s dominance came from mature passing play by all the players once again as they moved the ball accurately around the pitch, for which the visiting side had no answer.

Our opponents must however receive special mention for never giving up and for showing true fighting spirit, despite the score line.

Quaker Under 15s win physical game at Shotton

League Cup Shotton Under16,s 0 Darlington Quaker u15,s 4.

Match report by Stephen Luck

This was a physical game . With wind spoiling play a bit the game was pretty even until Callum Wilson scored a peach of a volley to break the deadlock.

Darlo added a second through Matt Mcguken which sparked more rough treatment. The second half started the same and both Uchenna and Dan Luck needed treatment for late challenges, but Darlo finished the game off with a double strike from Oscar Taylor to end up 4-0 winners.

Spraire Lads 0-5 Darlington FC Under 15 Feethams

Match report by Andrew Alton

Due to a free week, we travelled to Hummmersknott to take on Spraire Lads in a friendly. Our hosts wanted game time for their five new players and it gave ourselves chance to hand debuts to our two new signings Ben Eeles and Daniel Adok.

We started brightly creating plenty of chances, Spencer Soakell and Bailey Proudlock going close before Darlington finally broke the deadlock. Liam Wynn rifling a wicked shot in that the keeper did really to get a hand to but Ben Eeles was on hand to tap in a goal on his debut. The visitors continued to press, Joe Hanson in the centre of midfield at the heart of most moves, linking up well with Dan Smith and Spencer Soakell. The lads made their superiority count a few minutes later, Ben Eeles cutting in from the left hitting a low right footed shot into the corner of the net.

A third seemed likely at any point with Darlington bossing things from midfield. Despite our dominance it wasn’t all one way traffic, the trio at the back of Kieran Bowers, Alex Mason and Josh Hammerton and keeper Kenzie Alton were always on hand to snuff things out, denying the hosts any clear cut chance. The third arrived with a contender for goal of the season, Joe Hanson twisting and turning superbly past two defenders inside the box before leaving the keeper on his back after jinxing past him and slotting home with his left foot.

Onto the second half and Darlington continued in the same vein, though things were a little flat for a ten minute period while numerous substitutions were made. Not until twenty five minutes in did they bag a fourth, Tom Horner beating the keeper one on one with a neat finish from eight yards out. Minutes later they added a fifth, Ollie Johnson firing a bullet of a shot from the left side outside the box, the keeper - who had a great game - managing to get a hand to it but the ball seemed destined to continue in, Spencer Soakell making sure nodding into the open goal from a couple of yards out. Spraire Lads saw the remainder of the game out without conceding.

A good run out for both teams giving their new players valuable game time. Both new signings for ourselves impressing, Ben with his two goals from the left flank and Daniel looking equally at home on the opposite side of the pitch having a couple of shots saved and linking up well with his new teammates.

Man of the match went to Joe Hanson in the centre of midfield who was involved in almost everything and capped things off with a superb individual goal.

Man of the match - Joe Hanson

Hard work pays off for Under 14s Feethams

Darlington Under 14 Feethams 4 Fulwell 1

Match report by James Carverhill

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Match Report: Geoff Smith

Squad:

Johnston

Carvey Harland Bruce Tweddle

McCowie

Ord Skull Hatton Kirk

Blackham

Subs: Warburton, Pocock, Tchounga , Chidanyika

Every game from now is a cup final and the squad have trained extremely hard for this game.

Early attacks were made by Feethams from the start, through ball from Hatton to play in Kirk, who side footed the ball in 1-0.

Again another though ball by Hatton, bounced awkwardly for the defender, Kirk capitolised on this 2-0. Fulwell pressed Feethams into their own half, not winning the ball but kept them at bay, scrappy clearance and Fulwell played on this with with a bobbled shot, 2-1.

Skull and Hatton created chance for Blackham and Kirk, but the keeper saved well. Two players closed down Ord quickly as he could let his feet do the talking like he normally does.

Skull put Kirk through, who was causing alsorts of problems on the left, but the a great save by the keeper denied his hat-trick.

Fulwell pressed time and time again but McCowie seemed to be everywhere breaking it down everytime.

Half Time:

Darlington Feethams 2

Fulwell 1

Subs: Pocock for Ord, Tchounga for Kirk, Chidanyika for Skull

The Defence on the right must have thought they were getting a rest with Kirk coming off but Tchounga caused many problems in only his second role on the left, but looked very, very comfortable there. The defence line played further up the pitch with Harland/Bruce sitting just behind the half way line with Tweddle and Carvey pushing further up the pitch.

A frustrated Blackaham played the ball in from the Left, shot, the keeper parried and Pocock followed up 3-1.

Since coming on Chidanyika was very strong in the middle laying ball forward for the forwards to run onto, whilst also breaking down attacks with McCowie.

Skull made a great run passed three Fulwell players on the left into the box, again, some great Fulwell goalkeeping.

The last 10-15 minutes Harland/Bruce sat on the half way line, spaying the ball left and right to Tweddle/Carvey (who both had magnificent games) to run at their defence with the wingers. Tweddle was brought down in the box, Penalty, Blackham stepped up, 4-1.

Fulwell heads were now down and Feethams pressed and pressed but couldn't add further.

Final Score:

Darlington Feethams 4 Fulwell 1

Great away win for Under 14 Quakers

Hart 2 DFC Under 14 Quakers 8

Darlington travelled to Hart for a tricky league fixture in windy conditions and a very poor pitch. Hart started bright and a mix up in defence let in the Hart striker whose shot came back off the bar. 10 minutes in and a great finish from Frankie Whealan from a Connor Brown corner settled Darlo down soon it was 2 free kick from Connor Brown spilled by the keeper and Colby Agnama was there to fire in the rebound.

Connor Brown was played through by Sam Connolly and finished well for 3 nil . Colby came close with a great volley which came back off the bar but Darlo made it 4 when Frankie again got on the end of a corner just before half time

HT Hart 0 DFC 4

Hart came out fired up with the wind at their backs and pulled a goal back but an immediate response from Darlo and Connor Brown made it 5-1. Hart came back again with a great finish from their striker who made it 5-2.

Great work from Lewis Carrigher and a cool finish made it 6 -2 Kai Wright made it 7 after good work from Sam Connolly . Sam was then brought down when clean through for a penalty .Frankie Whealan stepped up to grab his hat trick.

It was a  great result on a tricky pitch with man of the match Connor Brown having a great game and was unplayable at times .