Whickham 3 Darlington 1

Darlington played well, but were knocked out of the Durham Challenge Cup at Whickham tonight.

The youngsters defended well against the Northern League club in the first half, but they fell behind on 48 minutes when Kallum Broadhead beat Darlo keeper James Thorpe from long range, then on 65 minutes Dan Candlish scored from a few yards out.

Quakers pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Jamie O’Brien, but Ross Nicholson made the game safe when he finished off a good move.

Coach Anth Verity said; "I thought we really grew into the game. Throughout the first half the only problems they caused us were from setpieces which was expected as some of our lads are only 17 years old, and they were up against players sveral years older and more physical than them. They were rattled and I thought 0-0 at half time was fair.

"In the second half, hands up they scored an outstanding goal but the lads didn't stop. In fact they actually got better and controlled the game for 20 minutes and against the run of play we conceded a goal.

"our penalty came along at just the right time amd I really thought we would push on and equalise. That left us exposed at the back and on the counter they broke and scored, even though it looekd well offside.

"The result was harsh on the lads because they really could have got something from the game, I couldn't be prouder of them and we will only get better and develop from the experience."