Darlington Women went joint top of the league after beating Stockton Town 6-3 at Eastbourne on Sunday.

Quakers put in a great first half display which just about sealed victory, but they had a few scares in the second half before they picked up the points.

Darlington manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “We were happy with the first half performance but the game should have been out of sight earlier. We could have managed the game better and had the game won. But at the end of the day, we picked up another three points and that’s what matters. 

“I’m delighted we have started to make a habit of starting games well and going ahead in games. We played some very good football in the first half and although it was the forwards on the scoresheet, they were mainly well worked team goals. The front three of Lucy Charlton, Chloe Ryan and Hattie Raine have been excellent in the past few games and have now scored 25 league goals between them in just six league games which is a fantastic return. 

“We were forced into a substitution at half time with Lucy picking up a knock and having to come off and I just thought we didn’t really get going in the second half. Credit to Stockton who game out fighting in the second half and gave a good account of themselves. 

“After working so hard in the first half and the intensity being high, I felt we had a few tired legs and although the substitutions gave us fresh legs, I think it just disrupted the flow of the game a little bit. The change of shape was to try and keep the ball and not give away possession so easily but we didn’t really manage that and the full time whistle couldn’t come quick enough. 

“We still won the game and I don’t think it was ever in doubt but we do set ourselves high standards and I think the players will be disappointed in the second half performance. We work hard again in training this week and go again next week away to Chester Le Street Amazons which will need a full 90 minute performance.”

The Quaker Women started well and put Stockton under a lot pressure in the first 5 minutes. A soft penalty was awarded and Chloe Ryan stepped up on the 8th minute to convert and put Darlington 1 up. 

A couple of minutes later Darlington doubled their lead with Lucy Charlton on the scoresheet for the second week in a row. A great ball over the top from Lacey Baldwin saw Hattie Raine with space on the right hand side, she took on her player and pulled it back for Charlton to finish calmly to make it 2-0. A third goal was added on the 22nd minute mark with Chloe Ryan netting her brace with another lovely assist from Hattie Raine with a perfect timed ball which split the Stockton defence. 

The first half was very stop start and the Stockton captain was sin binned for dissent and spent 10 minutes on the sideline. Another stoppage a few minutes later when a Stockton player fell awkwardly on her arm and had to come off. We wish her a speedy recovery. 

Darlington added a 4th just after the half hour mark with some lovely football and a great team goal. Toni Upton calmly got the ball down and started off the move and with some 1-2 touch passing, Hattie Raine lofted a cross in from the right hand side and Lucy Charlton was almost on the line to head home her second of the game. 

Only a few minutes later and Lucy Charlton grabbed her hat-trick to make it 5-0 Darlo. A loose pass back to the goalkeeper, she couldn’t get it out of her feet and a good press from Charlton saw her put it in an empty net. Stockton regrouped and scored on the 40th minute from a corner and the score was 5-1 at half time. 

Stockton started the better team in the second half and showed spirit with a more organised setup. They were awarded a penalty in the 49th minute but Evie Whitaker stood tall and saved it straight down the middle. This didn’t deter Stockton and they kept pushing to get back in the game. A mix up at the back and taking too much time on the ball allowed Stockton in to get a second goal to make it 2-5 with a good strike with 12 minutes to go. 

Darlington were a different team second half and never really got going. Intensity had dropped and credit to Stockton who grew into the game. They were awarded another penalty on the 80th minute and this time made no mistake from the spot to make it 5-3. They kept on pressing to get back in the game and Darlington got a much needed 6th goal to kill the game with 5 minutes to go. Another great team goal with Sara Waites getting the ball down and switching play over to the left hand side. Chloe Bright received the ball and pinged a lovely ball into the feet of the run of Hattie Raine who did what she does best and finished cooly for the game to finish 6-3.

Player of the match went to Hattie Raine (sponsored by CNA electronics) for a hat-trick of assists and the winning goal. She was involved in 4 of the 6 goals today and showed the quality when needed.

Thanks to Stockton Town FC Ladies for the game and good luck for the rest of the season.

Also a massive thank you to Rebecca from Masfix (our new short sleeve sponsor) who came down to support the girls and get a squad photo. 

Here's the league table

https://fulltime.thefa.com/table.html;jsessionid=D83E581FF186CA4688B8BFD02AC79F25?selectedSeason=516237003&selectedDivision=371387182&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableDay=6&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableMonth=10&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableYear=2023&activeTab=1

Thanks to our kit sponsors:

We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Vacant 

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: Vacant

Sophie McNally:

Home: Vacant  

Away: Vacant

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

Lily Large:

Home: The Unknown Creative

Away: Lineside Fencing

Millie Soderman: 

Home: Corporate Personal Well Being 

Away: Kia

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: SR Entertainments 

Toni Upton

Home: Dawn Fire Safety 

Away: Dawn Fire Safety  

Emily Taylor 

Home: Northern Renewables 

Away: Northern Renewables 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Durham Blinds

Away: Andrew Scullion

Hattie Raine: 

Home: CNA Electronics

Away: CNA Electronics 

Katie Sheridan: 

Home: Darl Knight

Away: Vacant 

Lacey Baldwin: 

Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Away: Vacant 

Chloe Ryan: 

Home: Sign Lead

Away: vacant

Sara Waites: 

Home: Teesside University 

Away: Teesside University  

Nicole Graham

Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Leanne Clennett:

Home: Stockton Town Rugby Club

Away: Stockton Town Rugby Club 

Lucy Hart:

Home: Top Spec Boots

Away: D&G Trophies 

Lily Wilkinson:

Home: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Away: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Lucy Charlton

Home and away vacant

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Stu Burkin training kit:Vacant 

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant