Up next for the Quaker Women is a long away trip to Whitehaven AFC Ladies in the FA Cup Second Round Qualifying. Darlington have been in the Second Round Qualifying before on 3 occasions and have made it to the Third Round Qualifying on 2 of those occasions.

The first one being back in 2021 when a 3-1 victory over Pools Youth was enough to make it to the third round with a first half goal from Alice Wearmouth and a second half goal from Aimee Dagnall before Olivia Whitworth finished off the scoring in the last minute to put the Quakers through. 

At the second time of asking in 2022, Darlington beat Blyth Town who were two levels above them in the pyramid at the time. An early goal from Chloe Ryan put the Quakers ahead before Blyth replied with 2 goals in the first half. Hattie Raine scored 5 minutes from the end to take the tie to penalties and Darlington won 5-3 with captain Lou Brown scoring the winning penalty. 

Last season in 2023, Darlington came up short against Gary Bennett’s Sunderland West End with a 4-1 loss at Eastbourne with Hattie Raine getting the only goal. 

Darlington will be looking to get their name in the hat for the Third Round Quallfying for the 3rd time since the team was formed and make it to the First Round Proper for the 1st time in the clubs history. 

The opponents Whitehaven AFC received a bye in the First Round and despite back to back promotions in the equivalent Lancashire county league are yet to win a game this season. They lost their opening game against Bolton Wanderers Reserves, before drawing 2-2 at home with Carlisle United and most recently lost 6-1 against Chorley Women FC Development. It’s the club’s first time playing in the FA Cup in over 15 years and they will be looking to progress to the next round.

The game will be played at Whitehaven Football Club in Cumbria and any travelling support would be hugely appreciated. 

Kick off is at the normal time of 2pm.