South Park Rangers Reds 5 Darlington FC Youth U14 5

Darlington travelled to play division toppers South Park Rangers Red. Prior to the game, the lads knew that anything less than three points would see them fight for the second promotion spot, rather than top spot.

The first half kicked off at a frantic pace, with the visitors struggling to put their foot on the ball on an uneven but well grassed pitch. South Park started the stronger team, using their superior physicality and pace on the flanks to pose Darlington numerous problems. They took the lead after just ten minutes from an attack down the middle, with the striker slipping the ball in from around eight yards out. This seemed to spur the lads on a little and they began to be the team who were applying the pressure with all three front men going close. Their efforts were rewarded on the twenty minutes’ mark when Liam Wynn found the net with a rifled left foot shot from just inside the box. Within minutes, the home side hit back re-taking the lead from a corner with their forward prodding in from close range. Darlington continued to have the lion's share of chances and hit back themselves just before the half hour mark, forcing a defender to put the ball into his own net when under extreme pressure.

The lead went to Rangers once more as they slotted a ball in, again from close range, from a corner that wasn't cleared. So, despite having more chances the Quakers went in 3-2 down at the break.

They started the second half with renewed vigour and were once again level when Ollie Johnson converted a Liam Wynn corner. He rose beautifully above his marker to head home from the edge of the six-yard box. The hosts took a 4-3 lead when keeper Kenzie Alton athletically tipped a shot onto the bar only for the rebound to be smuggled into the back of the net. Darlington continued to hit back with their best move of the game, which came from a towering goal kick and finished with Ollie Johnson squaring for Liam Wynn to grab his second with a left footed side foot from close range.

The frenzied action continued with South Park taking the lead for the final time - a well hit shot from the edge of the box finishing in the corner of the net. There was a final twist with just minutes remaining as Ollie Johnson latched on to a poor back pass to hit an equaliser with his left foot. That was to be the last ball to hit the net as the referee brought proceedings to a close.

Looking back on the game, it certainly must go down as one of the most absorbing matches this season. It was certainly not the clinical displays of late but then again we were playing the division leaders, who before today hadn't dropped any points at home. The lads showed great heart and desire, coming from behind FIVE times to share the points.

The midfield along with Liam Wynn up front most certainly covered more ground than any other match this season. Ollie Johnson (who scored two goals) ran himself ragged helping with defence before switching to attack and then finding himself having to sprint back to help at the back again. Man of the match went to Spencer Soakell with yet another tireless display, both in defence and attack, linking up well several times with the ever impressive Tom Horner in the centre of the park, breaking up attacks, winning 50/50s and finding his teammates time and time again.

So, Darlington now have the second promotion spot to aim at, their target to be certain is eight points from their final four games. Certainly, still quite a tall order but one, which if they apply themselves as they have done during my tenure, they are certainly capable of.