Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves 6 Darlington FC Women 3

Darlington FC Women took the short trip to Norton to play their last pre season game before their league campaign starts on 5^th September. They knew they would be up against it once again with Norton Reserves playing a division higher in the leagues and looking to keep their 100% pre-season winning record. 

Norton were the better team in the first ten minutes and started with a fast tempo. They created a few chances early on and straight from the off it was clear that Sacha Millward would be a threat for Norton. It took only 6 minutes for Millward to open her account and doubled Norton’s lead a few minutes later netting her second of the game. 

Darlington grew into the game after going 2-0 down and started to settle down, playing some good football and having more of the ball. Not long after conceding the second goal, Darlington had one back, some good pressing from Chloe Bright saw her pressure the keeper for the ball to fall to Sophie Curle, she skipped past the keeper and calmly put it into the net to grab a goal back for Darlo, 2-1.

This goal gave Darlo the lift they needed, and they dominated possession for the next 15 minutes but just couldn’t get the equaliser. Another good move saw Bright hit the post and then Norton getting the ball clear after a goal mouth scramble. Before the woodwork denied Darlington again, with the crossbar this time coming to Norton’s rescue, keeping out a fantastic long-range effort from captain Toni Upton.

After a good spell of possession and chances for Darlington, Norton came back into the game and created a couple more chances of their own. They got in down the right-hand side and a good finish from a trialist saw them take a 3-1 lead into the half time break. 

We’re looking for volunteers to help with the women’s team – a physio, a kit person and a videographer. If you’re interested, drop Shaun MacKenzie a line on girlsdevelopment@darlingtonfcacademy.co.uk

Darlington knew the next goal was important in the second half if they were going to get back into the game, they started the second half with a good tempo, however it was Norton who went further ahead. A penalty converted into the bottom corner by Millward gave Norton a three-goal advantage.

A few changes from both sides saw the momentum shift a few times in the next half hour and it was a good competitive game of football. It was Darlington who would score the next goal and get themselves back into the game. Some good running from Chloe Bright down the right-hand side saw her play a ball into Hattie Raine, a great flick over her head saw Sophie Curle latch onto the ball and finish well for another brace for Darlington. That’s now eight goals in preseason in just four games for Curle. 

With 18 minutes to go, it was game on and even more so when Chloe Tinkler headed home from a Hattie Raine corner in the 77th minute to bring the game back to 3-4.

Darlington continued to press high, and Norton dropped a little deeper, although defending well and always being a threat on the counter attack. With just five minutes to go and Darlington pushing for the equaliser, Millward wasn’t finished for the night and scored a great goal on the counter with another brilliant finish. 5-3 Norton. 

Just a minute later and Norton were on the attack again, only to be denied by a strong right hand of Martina Cuccunato, pulling off a spectacular save to keep the score 3-5. A couple of minutes from the end, Millward got her fifth goal of the night and finished off a good performance from a strong Norton side. 

That brings the pre-season games to an end, with a record of three wins and two losses for the newly formed Darlington FC Women. Their league campaign starts at home on Sunday 5th September against Durham United FC Women. 

*Player of the Match*

Chloe Bright

A massive Thankyou to Norton & Stockton Ladies for hosting the game and we wish them good luck for next season. 

Starting X1

Martina Cuccunato

Gabrielle Padurariu

Sarah Frew

Alice Wearmouth 

Natalie Peart

Francesca Smith

Toni Upton

Emma Doudican 

Chloe Bright 

Megan Mannick 

Sophie Curle 

Subs: 

Hattie Raine

Olivia Whitworth

Trialist 

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 Cuccanato (Premier 1 Filtration), Caisey Lee (Engage to Learn), Olivia Whitworth (Terry Farley MBE), Sophie Curle (Franks Carpets), Natalie Peart (RA Dalton Ltd), Toni Upton (Dawn Fire Safety), Alice Wearmouth (Direct Flooring), Chloe Bright (Jordan Hanratty),