Darlington FC Youth U13 1  Spennymoor 2

Squad: Lewis Johnston, Jermaine Ruddick, Sam Pocock, George McCowie, Josh Bell, Jack Harland, Ben Jackson, Alex Tweddle, Luca Hendickson, Charlie Harrison, Spencer McCabe, Kieron Snowdon, Archie Bruce and Harvey Nichol.

After a meeting between the coach and team on Thursday, it was agreed to have more self-belief in themselves.

Captain Tom Ord came to the game with an injury but wanted to support the lads.

A few changes were made to the starting line-up in new positions, Spencer McCabe went from left wing to Striker, Jack Harland went from Striker to Right Wing, Sam Pocock went from Right back to Centre Midfield and Ben Jackson moved from right wing to right back.

Darlington started at a fast pace attacking their goal from the start with Alex Tweddle setting George McCowie away to have his shot saved. Spennymoor counter attacked for it to be shut down by Archie Bruce. New midfield partnership of Tweddle and Pocock started to work well with them both commanding the midfield, with Harrison and Harland making runs on the left and right wings.

A corner was floated in by Spennymoor, but Johnston collected well and played it out to Harland who flew down the wing and passed to McCabe, but only to have his shot saved. Jermaine Ruddick came on for Charlie Harrison and made an immediate impact by racing down the left to play to McCabe, who played McCowie through, but shot just wide. Tweddle replace the injured Bruce at centre back, McCowie dropped into midfield and Sheldon came on up front and within minutes of being on the pitch, had a shot saved. Spennymoor again countered but was stopped by Tweddle.

Half Time: Darlington 0 V Spennymoor 0

Second Half: Spennymoor came at full speed and had two fast attacks but both were stopped by Jackson and Nichol. Lewis Johnston pulled off another fabulous save. At the other end McCabe had a free kick from just outside the box save, end to end stuff. Jermaine Ruddick decided that he would take the Spennymoor team on himself down the left wing, taking on 4/5 players with some amazing skills. Not to be left out, Jack Harland ran down the right past 3 players to set-up McCabe who made the keeper pull off a great save to deny him, but Harrison ran onto the spillage to make it 1-0 and his first goal for us this season.

Spennymoor came out fighting again and were through clear on goal when what can only be described as a 'World Class Tackle' from Vice-Captain Josh Bell, who has been outstanding this season. Darlington pushed for a second, but Spennymoor laid the long ball over the top to equalize. The lads pushed up high to try and get their first win, Harland playing another great ball into the centre for Luca Hendrickson to hit the side netting. With two minutes to go Spennymoor played another long ball, 1-2.

Final Score: Darlington 1 Spennymoor 2

Coach James said "An absolute fantastic game of football by both sides, Every lad in a Darlington shirt gave 110% today and more, the lads have certain come on in the last few games and I was very disappointed in the score line as the gave so much to have it taken away at the end, but had a brilliant team spirit".

Gareth from Spennymoor texted to say: Harsh for either team to lose - and your team has come on loads since we last met.