Darlington Youth sponsored by Darlington Building Society, BTS Fabrications and the Flintock Bar West Cornforth, welcomed Trimdon United to Eastbourne.

A crucial game for the home side as a win would see them promoted to Division 1 of the TJFA, with some key players missing this should have been on paper a relatively easy game, however this was not to be the case. Trimdon who had already played 2 matches this week started off the fresher of the two teams, and sure enough they were 0-2 up within 10 minutes of the start, Darlington pulled a goal back, a great through ball from Jack Browning, saw right winger Matty Moody sprint forward and bury it past the diving keeper 1-2, but straight after Trimdon replied with a third.1-3.

The pressure, as well as the heat of the day was telling on the home side with passes going astray and loose balls inviting Trimdon to come forward, but the fifth goal went the way of the home side, a corner from the left, the ball was cleared to the 18 yard line, were Tom Hindmarch returned a fantastic strike out of the reach of the keeper and into the net. 2-3.

Before the break Darlington pulled the score back to 3-3 another goal from Liam Wynn. Darlington were lucky to keep the scores even at the break as a ball through the middle saw the Trimdon striker sprint away to the Darlington goal but a superb chase and crunch tackle by Thomas Hindmarch averted the danger, but to the cost of the player himself who suffered a bad ankle injury and had to be substituted before half time by Josh Preshous.

Into the second half and it was the visitors who took the lead again, 3-4, another bad injury to Tristan Bowden Bloomfield who had his Achilles trodden on, saw him carried off in some pain. Darlington were now down to 10 men, but once again Darlington fought to pull another goal back, this time it was Joe Hanson flying down the right, moved into the box were he was sliced down and a penalty awarded to the home side. Liam Wynn stepped up and duly put the ball into the back of the net.4-4.

Still the goals kept coming, but Darlington could not get a lead. With 15 minutes to go Tristan Bowden Bloomfield bravely came back to play in his left back position, but it was Trimdon who got another 4-5. With 10 minutes to play another Injury to substitute Josh Preshous, saw another injured player Thomas Hindmarch return to the field, Darlington pulled another back from a corner, Jacob Gibson this time, 5-5, and with Darlington pushing for a winner, the sucker punch came with a ball over the top by Trimdon, the visiting striker clear on goal with only Bradley Morrison to beat and sure enough kept the ball low and firm and beat the Darlington keeper. 5-6.

Not the best weekend the lads have had, but hopefully we all learn from it.

MoM: Alex Mason - fought on to the bitter end.