Darlington Youth Under 13s 4 Greatham Under 13s 3

Darlington Youth (Sponsored by Darlington Building Society, The Flintlock Inn & BTS Fabrications) welcomed Greatham FC to St Aidans, in the TJFA Second division.

The last time these two sides met was back in September 2013 and it was Darlington Youths first competitive game together, a league cup first round tie. This time round, Greatham were up against a Darlington side beaten only once in 45 league games.Before kick-off both teams observed a minute’s silence in honour of those who lost their lives during the First and Second World War.

Greatham began the game well and looked as though they were up for the battle. A mix up in the Darlington defence within the first 5 minutes allowed the visiting striker to tap in, probably the easiest goal he will score all season long. Corbyn Mitchell came close to bringing the game level in the 7th minute, but his powerful strike from 12 yards cannoned off the post with the Greatham shot stopper beaten.

With the hosts struggling to get into the game, Thomas Hindmarch produced a piece of individual magic, as he picked up a loose ball wide on the left and after a trade-mark run, the Darlington winger arrowed the ball into the top corner of the net from 18 yards.

Despite not playing the style of football played in recent weeks, Darlington took the lead in the 16th minute. After good build up play between Liam Wynn and Joe Hanson, Tom Horner poked the ball through to Corbyn Mitchell and the Darlington striker made no mistake from 6 yards out, firing past the keeper for his 34th goal of the season.

Credit to Greatham, they continued to press and close the hosts down quickly when in possession, not letting Darlington play football and get into their rhythm. A cross come shot in the 26th minute was enough to level the score line, when the Greatham wide man floated the ball over the head of Bradley Morrison in the Darlington goal.

This seemed to spur the visitors on even more and right on half-time they took the lead. Again a cross from the left found its way across the Darlington 6 yard box and the Greatham striker was there to tap in from close range.HT 2-3 (35 Mins)

In the second half Darlington looked to play with a bit more flair, moving the ball much quicker and beginning to create much more opportunities. Matty Moody came close on a number of occasions, his first ended in a brilliant save from the Greatham keeper and his second harshly ruled out for off-side.

The home side continued to apply pressure with Greatham now struggling to get out of their own half. This pressure paid off in the 48th minute. Corbyn Mitchell demonstrated great pace and power down the Darlington right and his cross fizzed in and was met by Liam Wynn, who lashed home his first league goal of the season, 3-3. Now playing with 11 men behind the ball, Greatham were right under the cosh, as Darlington searched for the winning goal. With pressure building, the home side won a corner with 5 minutes remaining. Liam Wynn swung the ball in and after coming back onto the pitch following a knock in the first half, Jacob Gibson netted the winning goal with a bullet header past the helpless Greatham keeper.FT 4-3 (35 Mins).

Well done to all the lads involved including the Greatham players.

Man of the match awarded by the Greatham manager was Thomas Hindmarch.

DYFC Match Day Squad: Morrison, Hanson, Gibson, Horner(c), Hindmarch, Moody, Mason, Atkinson, Browning, Wynn, Mitchell, Bowden-Bloomfield

Next week Darlington Youth are back in cup action as they travel to Jarrow Pumas of the Russell Foster Premier League in the Durham FA County Cup.