Darlington keeper Ellen Atkinson played a major part in putting Quakers through to the semi finals of the County FA Women's Cup at Consett on Sunday.

After Quakers drew 3-3 in 90 minutes after leading 3-1 at one stage, Ellen stepped forward to score a penalty in the sudden death shootout, and then went back in goal to save the next penalty and put Quakers through.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; "Ellen volunteered to take a penalty -- we know she can put them away as she does that in training. She was going to be in the first five, but we decided to put her sixth just in case -- and that's how it worked out.

“I am absolutely thrilled for the girls, not just for the result but for the whole performance. It was a real team effort and every single one of them worked hard for each other and grafted till the end. I questioned their desire and commitment last weekend and they have certainly given me the reaction I wanted, in training midweek and in Sunday’s game.

“I thought we defended really well today, Chloe Tinkler coming in, steadied up the back line and she had a brilliant game. Having Alice back in there was a bonus and Chloe and Emma were also solid at full back. We scored some great goals and feel we deserved to go through to the semi-final.

“It was a great performance and hopefully that will help us kick on in the league. You could say we were up against it today with a few injuries and players missing but everyone stepped up and I believe there’s still more to come from this team."

Here's the match report from Chris Barrett

Darlington started with a new centre back partnership from last week with Millie Garnett starting in midfield and Lou Brown out injured, meaning Alice Wearmouth and Chloe Tinkler would be coming in to deal with one of the best teams in the division.

Both teams came out strong and it was Consett who had the first chance on goal with an initial effort stopped by Ellen Atkinson and the follow up finish adjudged to be offside. The play was fairly end to end and on 8 minutes a neat pass was played down the left by Chloe Ryan into the path of Nicole Graham who drove in from the left wing and struck hard and low at goal which the keeper was unable to stop and the ball crossed the line to give Darlington an early lead.

The play continued to be fairly even with a number of key blocks by Chloe Tinkler at centre back keeping the attacks through the middle nullified. On the quarter hour mark Consett were level with a swift break down the right hand side and the ball played into the box for Curry to place the ball past Atkinson for 1-1.

The play maintained balanced with both sides creating opportunities and battling strongly in the midfield.

On 26 minutes Chloe Ryan was fed the ball just outside the box and she manoeuvred the ball left and then cut back inside to create space for a shot which she struck top left of the goal out of the keeper’s reach to give Darlington the lead again. Darlington were nearly caught out straight away with Consett sending a pass down the right to be taken down wonderfully by Hewett who drove into the box and it took a key block from the defence to stop the shot and the follow up effort was again saved by Atkinson.

Darlington managed to settle and played a good line to keep Consett’s attack at bay with the communication key to getting the offsides right and Darlington keeping the lead at the half time whistle. 

The second half started with the same rhythm as the first, with both teams competing physically well and keeping each other honest in their play. Hattie Raine was brought on in the second half on the right wing and on 67 minutes put the pressure on the defence chasing the ball back and pressing high, after some confusion in the defence the ball dropped nicely for Raine who struck from distance around 25 to 30 yards out high and strong over the reach of the keeper to put Darlington 2 up.

Again soon after a Darlington goal, Consett were back on the attack breaking the defensive line and a shot was hit across goal which bounced off the post with the goal beckoning but the rebound was struck wide. After 83 minutes, Consett got a goal back when the ball was played to the left of Darlington’s box and it was pulled back for Hewett who unleashed a strike into the top corner with the keeper having no chance.

Consett continued to push on and were close on 89 minutes with a ball crossed into the box and the header from closer range was on target but again it was well saved by Atkinson. With time running out, Consett continued to press and Darlington looked to maintain possession. It looked like game over but in the 93rd minute the ball was switched out to the Consett left for Hansen to pick it up with space to drive in at goal and one on one put it past Atkinson for a late leveller.

It was straight to penalties with Darlington having a bit of experience after recent successful contests in this situation this season. One of the stars of the game Chloe Ryan stepped up first and struck well but unfortunately hit the underside of the bar for it to bounce out. This was followed up with some good penalties from both sides with Raine, Baldwin, Graham and Sheridan finding the corners with great precision. Consett also converted well and it wasn’t until their fourth when it was struck over the bar to get Darlington level. The fifth penalty for Consett was hit hard and low and it narrowly squeezed in just out of Atkinson’s grasp who was gutted to be so close. She then had to step up herself for the sixth in sudden death and she was gloves off to strike low and precise into the bottom corner for the lead. 

With the gloves back on she set again this time to go the opposite way diving low to her right and this time reaching just enough to save it and claim victory for Darlington.

It was a quality match with end to end action and some great goals and drama. Darlington had a number of strong performances with Ryan leading the line well with a superb goal, also Nicole Graham causing problems down the left and Baldwin constantly battling in midfield. Player of the match was awarded to Chloe Tinkler (sponsored by Steve Halliday and Brinkburn Pub) for a number of brave blocks and key interceptions to keep out the Consett attack.

Darlington will be back in league action next week, away at Boldon, hoping to get some more points on the board to push up the league to compete for the promotion places

We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Ellen Atkinson:

Home: LW & GM Atkinsons & Son

Away: Harker Coaches

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Premier One Filtration

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology)

Alice Wearmouth:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology) 

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

Gabi Paduriaru:

Home: David Stothard

Away: Colin Bromley

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

Lily Large:

Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation  

Away: Vacant 

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: Active Kids Play Scheme

Toni Upton

Home: Dawn Fire Safety 

Away: Dawn Fire Safety

Emma Doudican 

Home: Winroths Hairdressing  

Away: Winroths Hairdressing 

Olivia Whitworth

Home: Terry Farley MBE

Away: Vacant 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Andrew Scullion

Away: Vacant

Hattie Raine: 

Home: Thomas Watson Auctioneers 

Away: Thomas Watson Auctioneers 

Katie Sheridan: 

Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation 

Away: Ingleton Site Management LTD

Lacey Baldwin: 

Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Away: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Chloe Ryan: 

Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation

Away: The Little Quaker Distillery 

Nicole Graham

Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Sam Pascoe training kit: NC Group LTD

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant