Darlington FC Youth U13's 1 O'Briens U13's 7

(Home kit sponsored by Darlington Building Society)

Squad: Lewis Johnston, Jermaine Ruddick, Sam Pocock, Josh Bell, Keiron Nicholson, Matthew Downs, Jermaine Ruddick, Ben Jackson, Alex Tweddle, Luca Hendickson, Dan Kukielka, Tom Ord and Harvey Nichol,

The team welcomed back captain Tom Ord, still recovering, and new debutant Keiran Nicholson to central defence to cover for a couple of games.

The lads were on the back foot from the start, with O'Briens attacking with all they had, the lads were shell shocked, and were 4 goals down in 10 minutes. The lads settled a bit into the game, but the two big lads up front were causing all sorts of problems. Lewis Johnston pulled off a great save, Josh Bell made some clinical tackles in the box to deny the forwards. At the other end Tom Ord had two shots saved by their keeper. Dan Kukielka and George McCowie tried to penetrate their defence, but to no avail. O'Briens put another one in at half time.

Half time: Darlington 0 v O'briens 5

Big team talk at half-time!!!

Matty Downs and Jermain Ruddick came on for the second half, the lads started to pass the ball with more confidence, Jermaine Ruddick was causing more and more problems for them as he went on run after run. A great through ball was played and Tom Ord slotted in a great goal. Heads were up and Darlington started to play attractive triangle passing play. Ruddick got through again only to put his shot wide, his frustration was very clear to see.  Again, in the last two attacks of the game, O'Briens beat the off side with a long ball over the top to the big striker to beat Lewis twice with one on ones!

Final Score: Darlington 1 O'Briens 7

'The lads switched off on a few occasions today and were quickly punished as they found out, its a very tough league and O'Briens were the best passing side we have faced. Heads never dropped and the lads tried to claw something back, their manager commented what a brilliant spirit the lads have and a never say die attitude' James A Carverhill

Match Report: Archie Bruce