Billingham Synthonia Under 13s 2 Darlington Youth FC Under 13 Quakers 3.

Darlington FC Youth (sponsored by Darlington Building Society, The Flintlock Inn & BTS Fabrications)   played away to Billingham Synthonia in the TJFA second division.

Billingham have had a great start to the season and began the game unbeaten at home, however they were up against a Darlington side who have won all their league and cup games this season.

The hosts had the wind to their advantage in the first half and took an early lead with six minutes gone. A long ball played down the right hand side was met by the Billingham winger and after cutting inside, his right foot strike from 15 yards flew into the far corner of the net.

Despite playing into the strong wind, Darlington limited Billingham to very few clear cut chances, forcing them to shoot from distance. A free-kick from just outside the Darlington penalty area cannoned off Bradley Morrison’s cross-bar and that was the closest they came to doubling their lead.

The visitors however, failed to carve out many chances themselves in difficult conditions. A Corbyn Mitchell strike and a Matty Moody effort, both went wide of the mark.

HT 1-0

Early in the second half, Darlington thought they had drawn level. A Liam Wynn corner was whipped into the box with pace and a Billingham defender headed into his own net, but the referee ruled the goal out for obstruction on the keeper.

Minutes later the home side extended their lead against the run of play. The Billingham right winger managed to wriggle his way past two Darlington defenders, before squaring the ball to his unmarked striker who tapped in from three yards.

The visitors were given a glimmer of hope with 22 minutes remaining. Thomas Hindmarch found Liam Wynn down the Darlington left and his ball played with pace into the danger area, deflected off a Billingham defender and into the net.

Billingham had their keeper to thank moments later. Corbyn Mitchell latched onto Tom Horner’s pass to go through on goal, but the Billingham shot-stopper narrowed the angle well and saved with his feet.

However he could do nothing about Alex Mason’s left foot strike in the 62^nd minute. A Darlington corner was cleared only as far as Mason 20 yards from goal and his first time strike arrowed into the top left hand corner of the net to bring the game level.

The young Quakers continued to apply lots of pressure, with Billingham now camped inside their own half.  Further shots on goal from Moody, Horner, Gibson and Wynn were off the mark, as Darlington began to run out of time.

In the closing stages of the game, Darlington got the goal they were searching for. Alex Mason showed great vision to pick out the run of Corbyn Mitchell and the Darlington forward made no mistake from 12 yards out to net his 17^th league goal of the season and give Darlington all 3 points.

FT 2-3

Well done to all the lads involved.

Man of the Match was awarded to Alex Mason.