Darlington Women went joint top of the table when they beat Chester-le-Street 7-0 on Sunday.

Hattie Raine scored twice to pass 50 goals for the club, with Chloe Ryan (3) Emily Taylor and Sara Waites the others.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “The girls were absolutely incredible, every single one of them put the graft in and made sure we bounced back from the disappointment of last week’s loss. The girls were focused in training on Thursday and looked really sharp. Everything I asked for pre game, I got today and it was pleasing to see that reaction.

“We’ve been beaten three times in the league this season and each time we’ve bounced back with the three points and a good performance. It shows the resilience the side has and we will keep striving to improve and we want to be up there at the end of the season. There is still a lot of football to be played this season and points will be dropped by other teams.

“I would like to say a massive congratulations to Hattie for being the first player to score 50 goals for the club. She has been with us since day 1 at just 16 years old. To score 50 goals in any league at any age is a great achievement and to do it in just 61 games is even better. Not to mention some of the goals on her highlight reel. Hattie has turned down a few opportunities over the last three seasons to play higher and I am grateful to have a player of her quality available for selection every week.

“We go into the Christmas break, joint top of the league table and although teams around us have games in hand, there are worse positions to be in. We will keep being positive and giving it a go. We look forward to getting back to it in 2024.

“Many thanks to all of our support who come and watch every week, we wish you a Merry Christmas and we will see you all in the New Year.”

Darlington were fast out the blocks and the intensity was there from minute 1. Instantly creating chances and putting on the pressure, they should have probably been ahead sooner. It only took 7 minutes for the Quakers to get on the scoresheet with Chloe Ryan putting the ball in the back of the net. 

The first was soon followed up with a second with Ryan turning provider and feeding Hattie Raine to be the first Darlington F.C Women player to score 50 competitive goals for the club. A fantastic achievement for the young striker in just 61 appearances. 

A third goal came on the 20th minute mark with a lovely dinked ball from Aimee Dagnall, Chloe Ryan watched it all the way and volleyed it into the bottom corner for her second, a lovely finish. The 4th goal came after 35 minutes from a Sara Waites shot that was saved by the keeper and followed in by Emily Taylor to tap home. 

The second half was more of the same and it only took a couple of minutes to get the 5th goal, with captain for the day, Sara Waites getting a deserved goal after a good ball from Raine. Waites then put a fantastic ball through after some good build up play and Ryan finished off emphatically for her hat-trick and 38th goal for the club. The scoring was finished off in the 67th minute with Hattie Raine getting another goal to make it 51 for the club. Another assist from Waites gave Raine plenty of time to drive at the keeper and smash the ball into the net. The rest of the game was managed well and a number of changes were made to see the game out. 

Overall, an outstanding performance from every single player in a black and white shirt. A fully deserved 3 points with some stand out performances. A clean sheet for the back 4 and Evie Whitaker and some great team goals scored.

Player of the match could have been awarded to many, but was given to hat-trick hero Chloe Ryan (sponsored by Sign Lead) 

Thanks to Chester Le Street Town Ladies Development for the game and best of luck for the rest of the season. 

Here's the league table

https://fulltime.thefa.com/table.html;jsessionid=D83E581FF186CA4688B8BFD02AC79F25?selectedSeason=516237003&selectedDivision=371387182&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableDay=6&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableMonth=10&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableYear=2023&activeTab=1

Thanks to our kit sponsors:

We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Vacant 

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: Vacant

Sophie McNally:

Home: Vacant  

Away: Vacant

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

Lily Large:

Home: The Unknown Creative

Away: Lineside Fencing

Millie Soderman: 

Home: Corporate Personal Well Being 

Away: Kia

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: SR Entertainments 

Toni Upton

Home: Dawn Fire Safety 

Away: Dawn Fire Safety  

Emily Taylor 

Home: Northern Renewables 

Away: Northern Renewables 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Durham Blinds

Away: Andrew Scullion

Hattie Raine: 

Home: CNA Electronics

Away: CNA Electronics 

Katie Sheridan: 

Home: Darl Knight

Away: Vacant 

Lacey Baldwin: 

Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Away: Vacant 

Chloe Ryan: 

Home: Sign Lead

Away: vacant

Sara Waites: 

Home: Teesside University 

Away: Teesside University  

Nicole Graham

Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Leanne Clennett:

Home: Stockton Town Rugby Club

Away: Stockton Town Rugby Club 

Lucy Hart:

Home: Top Spec Boots

Away: D&G Trophies 

Lily Wilkinson:

Home: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Away: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Lucy Charlton

Home and away vacant

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Stu Burkin training kit:Vacant 

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant