Darlington FC Youth U13 4 Deerness Valley 2

League Cup

(Home kit sponsored by DBS)

Squad: Lewis Johnston, Jermaine Ruddick, Sam Pocock, Lewis Smith, George McCowie, Josh Bell, Jack Harland, Ben Jackson, Alex Tweddle, Luca Hendickson, Charlie Harrison and Harvey Nichol.

Deerness kicked the game off and played the ball into the Darlington defence, Captain Josh Bell, cleared the ball only for it to come off the face of the attacker who ran onto slip it passed Lewis Joshstone, 0-1.

The lads composed themselves and kicked off again, Ben Jackson played the ball to Jack Harland, who set Geoege McCowie on a run, who was brought down just outside the box, free kick. McCowie played the cross into the box and Harland caught it sweetly on the half volley with a peach of a goal, 1-1.

For the next 20 minutes Darlington controlled the game, with Sam Pocock and Ben Jackson controlling the midfield and Luka Hendrickson and Charlie Harrison making brilliant forwards runs on the right and left. (we won't mention the missed penalty Ben!) Unfortunately, Lewis Smith came off the pitch with an injury to be replaced by Alex Tweddle in central defence.

Hendrickson went on a run down the right only to have his cross headed out for a corner.

Harland again sent McCowie through on goal, only to be pushed onto the sideline, somehow he managed to get a terrific shot off into the back of the net, 2-1.

Bell and Tweddle started a great understanding of each other straight away clearing everything that came at them. A corner to Deerness Valley was the last action of the game, the cross was easily collected by a very confident Johnstone.

Half Time: Darlington 2 Deerness 1

Second half was away and again Darlington pressed forward. More and more play was starting from the back onto the wings. Nicol was pressing the ball forward to Harrison to run onto, Ruddick was doing the same on the right for Hendrickson.

Harland, who was turning provider for McCowie, sent another amazing through ball for McCowie’s 2nd goal.

Darlington pushed a little too high up the pitch and Deerness broke the off side trap, 3-2.

Darlington pushed up and chances fell to Harrison, Hendrickson, Jackson, Pocock and Harland, all shooting just wide. Tweddle tried a shot from half way but the keeper collected.

Harland, who was having a fantastic game, laid McCowie off again for his hat-trick, beautifully worked.

The last 10 minutes was mainly played in the centre of the pitch by both teams.

Final Score: Darlington 4 Deerness 2

Coach James said “Totally different team again today, normally the lads have one good half, but played well both halves. After a hard training session on Thursday, the lads marked, tackled, communicated, kept shape, 1-2'd and played as a solid team and not as individuals. Very happy of them today, result a bonus, but it was the way they played, 12 fantastic, hard-working lads.

'Did us proud'”