South Shields Reserves 2 Darlington Reserves 1

Quakers almost clawed back a two goal deficit, but can be pleased with their performance at South Shields Reserves.

Mark Fanning, one of the joint managers, sends us this report.

“The game started with South Shields on top and their three man midfield caused problems. Just as we started to get to grips with them 18 minutes in they opened the scoring. A ball into their striker was controlled with his back to goal and as the ball bounced up, he hooked it high into the net.

“Within ten minutes they had doubled their lead. A clumsy challenge on the edge of our box was despatched into the top corner and the game was slipping away from us. We battled back into the game and pulled one back through Kurt Matthews after good work from Danny Naylor on 35 minutes.

2-1 at the break and despite the better possession in the second half our real chance came in the 72^nd minute when Darren Atkinson should have scored but somehow hit the bar from the rebound Dale Johnstone sent a looping header on to the bar which was then cleared.

“Again, a good hard effort from the lads which didn’t reap any reward.”