Quaker Women earn point at Gateshead Rutherford
By Ray Simpson
Behind twice but hit back
Quaker Women draw at Gateshead Rutherford
Darlington Women picked up a good point from their away game at Gateshead Rutherford on Sunday.
Quakers came from behind twice to earn a point, and they nearly snatched all three with a rousing finish.
Manager Shaun Mackenzie said: “It was another frustrating game where we just couldn’t take advantage and score when we had the momentum in the game. We’ve conceded first again and the first goal is massive in every game, we are having to come from behind in every game and it’s difficult, the first was probably offside but we gifted them their second goal right on the brink of half time.
“I thought we were better in the second half and seemed to find another gear, we got the equaliser and probably should have gone on to win the game. We just couldn’t create anything clear cut and fair play to Rutherford for earning a point. We need to start being more clinical and starting the games with more aggression and intent. “Playing football when leading in a game is a lot easier and in recent weeks, we’ve lacked a bit of composure on the ball when chasing games. At the end of the day, a point is a point, and we will take it and look to build on the performance next week in the League Cup Quarter final against Leam.”
Here's the match report from Chris Barrett
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It was Rutherford who started faster and pressured from early on pushing high up the pitch and got a good chance in the second minute of the game when getting the ball into the box, but it was well smothered by Ellen Atkinson to keep Rutherford out.
Darlington got their first chance of the game after 6 minutes with a ball played in from the left by Aimee Dagnall just dropping to the edge of the box to Emma Doudican but the touch was just too heavy and it was claimed by the Gateshead Rutherford keeper.
The first goal came after 11 minutes for Rutherford when the ball was played through the middle towards the left hand side with the striker who looked in an offside position picking up the ball and cutting back onto her right to shoot across goal and score with a good finish.
The game was fairly open and Darlington were able to create another good chance after 28 minutes when Doudican crossed the ball in from the left hand side into the box for Hattie Raine to volley the ball with her left foot low towards the corner but it was saved by the keeper.
Darlington got a goal back on 37 minutes from a corner with Raine crossing the ball deep to the back post to be met by Chloe Bright who connected well with the ball and thundered her header in for the equaliser. Darlington were holding their own in the game with no clear chances being created for either team but against the run of play were behind again in 1st half injury time when the ball was thrown in on the left hand side and crossed in to the box for the Gateshead striker to steal in and flick the ball into the net for her second of the game.
Darlington started the second half better and had an early chance with a good ball by Dagnall into Raine who looked to be in but was harshly judged to be offside.
Gateshead got a chance of their own two minutes later with the ball being played into the left hand side of the box which required Atkinson to bravely come out to block a potential strike on goal.
Darlington got their second equaliser on 58 minutes when substitute Gabi Paduriaru who had come on to give a calming presence to the play, received the ball at right back and played it inside to Hattie Raine who turned with the ball and fired from long range and put it over the keeper in the top left for another to add to her tally for the season.
Darlington began to press and dominate more with the help of fresh legs from the substitutes including debutant Lacey Baldwin. Now the second player to make her debut having played for the club for a number of years and come through the youth section. However, they struggled to create clear chances on goal and could not test the keeper. Darlington were open to the counter when pressing high and Rutherford did manage a chance late in the game with a ball through the middle but pressure from Alice Wearmouth and Lily Large meant the striker fired over.
As much as Darlington pressed they could not get the winner and the game ended 2-2. It will feel like two points dropped as Darlington still look to push on for promotion but a well-earned point for a strong and organised Rutherford side.
Player of the match went to Ellen Atkinson who dominated her box well and made a number of crucial saves to keep the score level in the game at key times.
Full time Result:
Gateshead Rutherford Ladies 2-2 Darlington FC Women
Goal - M.Scott - 11’
Goal - C.Bright - 37’
Goal - M.Scott - 47’
Goal - H.Raine - 57’
Here's the league table as it stands:
We'd like to thank our kit sponsors:
Hattie Raine (sponsored by Krystal Sells), Emma Carter (The Cheese and Wine Shop), Emma Doudican (Winroths Hairdressers), Sarah Frew (Chic Beauty Academy), Martina Cuccunato (Premier 1 Filtration), Caisey Lee (Engage to Learn), Olivia Whitworth (Terry Farley MBE), Natalie Peart (RA Dalton Ltd), Toni Upton (Dawn Fire Safety), Alice Wearmouth (Direct Flooring), Chloe Bright (Jordan Hanratty Personal Training), Chloe Tinkler (Glen and Mary Bowes), Millie Garnett (eco Hair Salon), Aimee Dagnall (Andrew Scullion), Gabrielle Padurianu (John Vickerman), Lily Large (Arthur Wharton Foundation), Katie Sheridan (Arthur Wharton Foundation)
