Darlington Youth (sponsored by Darlington Building Society, The Flintlock Inn & BTS Fabrications) welcomed Marton FC Royals to St Aidans in the TJFA second division.

With players unavailable due to holidays, Darlington had only a bare 11 for the game and with Liam Wynn needing to leave 25 minutes before the final whistle, they were out searching for some early goals.

The Darlington defence consisting of Joe Hanson, Josh Preshous, Tristan Bowden-Bloomfield and Liam Wynn were holding their own against two very big Marton forwards and with Jack Browning and Alex Mason sitting in front of the back line, Thomas Hindmarch, Tom Horner, Matty Moody and Corbyn Mitchell provided the threat going forward.

After a cagey opening, the hosts took the lead in the 15 minute. Darlington captain Tom Horner picked out Corbyn Mitchell inside the Marton penalty area and after wriggling his way past three defenders, the inform striker fired across the visiting keeper and into the far corner of the net.

The home side doubled their lead in the 21st minute. Matty Moody played the ball into Corbyn Mitchell with pace and the Darlington striker quit superbly flicked the ball with the outside of his boot, over the keepers head and into the net, for his second of the game.Marton pulled a goal back two minutes later. A powerful shot following a corner bounced back of the post and unfortunately hit a Darlington defender before rolling into the net.

Corbyn Mitchell extended Darlington’s lead with 3 minutes to go before half time, scoring his 7th Hat-Trick in 7 league and cup games this season. Liam Wynn’s through ball was of good quality and Mitchell ran through on goal before slotting past the Marton keeper with ease. HT 3-1 (35 Minutes)

Marton came out in the second half looking a much better side and soon found themselves back in the game. The hosts allowed Marton’s striker too much time on the ball and he blasted past Bradley Morrison in the Darlington goal to make it 3-2.At this point Darlington were playing with ten men, however their fight and determination proved too much for the visitors.

Thomas Hindmarch now playing at left back was the creator of the next goal. His pass down the left channel was met by Corbyn Mitchell and after cutting inside past two defenders he unleashed a fine strike past the Marton keeper for his 28th goal of the season.

[caption id="attachment_13848" align="alignnone" width="214"] Corbyn Mitchell[/caption]

Without allowing the visitors any clear goal-scoring opportunities, Darlington had chances to score further goals. A Matty Moody shot which cannoned of the post from close range, as well as a penalty saved by the Marton keeper, the final score finished 4-2.

Well done to all the lads involved including the Marton players.

MOM Corbyn Mitchell