Quaker Women fight back to make it eleven games unbeaten
By Ray Simpson
Good win at Stockton Town
Stockton Town Women 3 Darlington Women 5
Darlington Women are now unbeaten in eleven league matches from the start of the season – but they had to work hard to keep their record going at Stockton Town on Sunday afternoon.
Quakers had to come from two goals down in the opening period, before a great second half set up the three points.
Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “It was a disappointing start to the game, and we didn’t get out of the blocks.
“Stockton might be bottom of the table, but they’re much improved from the start of the season. They wanted it more in the first 30 minutes, but we showed plenty of grit and determination to get back into the game. I was very happy with the reaction.
“The second half performance was really good. Our fourth goal was an outstanding team goal, probably our best team goal of the season.
“Sophie Curle was outstanding as usual. She scored four and had an assist.”
The result means that Quakers are now nine points behind leaders Hartlepool Pools Youth, with two games in hand --- and the two teams have yet to play each other.
Here's the match report from Chris Barrett:
As has been the case in recent weeks, Darlington failed to get out of the blocks early on and were a goal down before the first minute was out when Stockton attacked down the left hand side creating space on the edge of the box for the striker to pick the ball up and strike high across the goal into the top corner.
Darlington needed to get into the game but were not able to dominate like they have in previous games and could not carve out the chances which would be expected from their strike force.
The ball was in the net for Darlington after 8 minutes when the ball was whipped across the box by Aimee Dagnall to be taken down and finished by Sophie Curle but she was adjudged to be offside.
There were more problems in the 18th minute when Darlington needlessly gave away a free kick just outside the box and it was thundered in off the underside of the bar to give Stockton a 2-0 lead.
The game plan was not working meaning manager Shaun Mackenzie had to make changes if the game was to be turned around. The change in system and personnel benefited Darlington and after 29 minutes Dagnall lifted the ball through the middle to Curle to run through and with good feet in the build up put the ball away to get one back.
On 32 minutes Darlington drew level when Katie Sheridan this time played the ball over the top to Curle who finished calmly past the Stockton keeper. There was a further chance for Curle before the break who managed to get through 1v1 but it was well saved by the keeper and the follow up shot was blocked by the defender on the line.
Darlington seemed to learn in the second half and thankfully were the ones to take the lead when Toni Upton threw the ball in to Curle on the left hand side who cut it and fired a beauty over the outstretched keeper into the far corner. Not long after and against the run of play, Stockton got the equaliser when the ball was lost on the right hand side, it was played across the box and when the ball was not dealt with it, it made its way to the back post for a simple finish.
Not to be deterred, a minute later Darlington retook the lead with an outstanding team goal. Curle turning provider this time, after some great one touch football on the right hand side, Curle crossed the ball from the right hand side into the onrushing Emma Doudican who finished with a sumptuous side foot volley giving the keeper no chance. 3-4 and Darlington were back in front.
Darlington looked to have another when Curle was pushed in the box colliding with a Stockton defender and the goalkeeper, the ball came out to Doudican who stuck the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out due to the injury to the goalkeeper who was still on the floor after a collision.
More problems for Darlington later in the game when a late challenge for the ball took out Caisey Lee who had to be taken off injured but no booking was awarded. Thankfully Gabi Paduriaru was able to replace her and get into the game quickly to limit any chances on the left hand side for Stockton.
On 84 minutes, an Emma Carter throw in found Sophie Curle who once again found space to deliver another goal with a lovely strike from the left into the roof of the net.
Darlington saw out the game claiming a 5-3 win but it was anything but predictable and thankfully a game of 2 halves saw Darlington come out on top.
The introduction and influence of Katie Sheridan in the final third of the pitch will be a necessary option as they keep pushing for wins throughout the season. They are another three points on the board even if it was a lacklustre performance in the first half against a much improved and resilient Stockton side who look like they could pick up more points as the season continues.
Player of the match went to the prolific Sophie Curle, who has now scored 31 goals in eleven league matches
STARTING XI
Cuccunato, Large, Wearmouth, Peart, Carter, Garnett, Upton (c) ,Dagnall, Doudican, Bright, Curle
Substitutes: Lee, Sheridan, Frew, Padurariu & Tinkler
Full time Result:
Stockton Town FC 3-5 Darlington FC Women
1-0 Stockton Town - 1’
2-0 Stockton Town - 18’
2-1 Darlington - Curle - 29’
2-2 Darlington - Curle - 32’
2-3 Darlington - Curle - 49’
3-3 Stockton Town - 53’
3-4 Darlington - Doudican - 54’
3-5 Darlington - Curle - 84’
Here's the league table:
We’d like to thank the following 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), Sophie Curle (Arthur Taylor Carpet Fitter Services), 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).
