Washington Under 18s 2 Darlington Under 18s 6

Match Sponsor - Tyne Tees Crushing & Screening

Although performances have been improving lately it was important that we went into this game on top of our game and took 3 points from the encounter.

The lads started in the right direction with an early goal. But costly mistakes again at fault as Washington scored twice in quick succession and went into half time 2-1 up.

The second half began and a new formation for Darlington looked promising as they pushed for an equaliser. It came moments after half time as Luke Jenkinson skipped past a defender and spotted the keeper off his line and sent a chip goal wards from just inside the Washington half which hit the back of the net. From this point on the Darlo side looked comfortable and performances throughout the team were faultless as they scored 4 more from that point on, although finishing the game with 10 men due to a sending off.

Darlington looked comfortable and throughly deserved this result !!! However they still need to keep improving as can’t afford to keep making the same simple errors and giving teams a way back into the game.

Darlington scorers:

Ryan Noon (2)

Gee Baltazar (2)

Luke Jenkinson (2)

Russell Foster League cup

Darlington Under 12s 1 Pro Player Boldon 7

Darlington started brightly in a very entertaining first half from both teams. Darlington had their fair share of chances in the first half, against a team five divisions higher in the premier division, but couldn't convert. Darlington defended brilliantly as they started to get bombarded with a lot of pressure from the opposition, with Thomas Youngs making some cracking saves in the Darlington goal, keeping the score at 0-0.

Darlington broke the deadlock just before half time as a corner from Will Gatiss was perfectly executed for the run of centre back Dom Stacey to power home the header to make it 1-0 at half time

HT 1-0

Half time meant that Boldon had a deserved rest and came out in the second half with a lot more energy and started running rampant with goals left right and centre as the Darlington players started tiring and that's when they capitalised with the full time score being 7-1

MOTM: Thomas Youngs for his outstanding performance in goal

Being 1-0 up at half time against a premier division side who finished runners up last year and won the league cup last year is a big achievement for a team that's been together for 4/5 months.

Good win for Under 15s at Whitby

Whitby Fisherman 0 Darlington U-15s Feethams 4

Darlington made the long journey over the North Yorkshire Moors to take on Whitby Fisherman in the third round of the League Cup.

The conditions weren't brilliant, with a swirling wind blowing to add to the pitch which had a quite noticeable slope to it. Kicking up the slope in the first half the boys found their opponents to be a very physical side who competed for every ball. It was Darlington who had the most of the chances though, Bailey Proudlock going agonisingly close on three occasions. An early injury to central defender Kieran Bowers meant a forced change, Kian Slater taking his place just fifteen minutes in. Chances were few and far between for the hosts but they kept themselves in the game nevertheless. It was Darlington who appeared much more likely to break the deadlock and did so after 35 minutes, Bailey Proudlock being rewarded for his earlier efforts with a well hit volley inside the box. The drama wasn't quite over though for the half when a Whitby midfielder hit a rather speculative ball from the half way line that carried all the way in the wind before thudding the crossbar.

That was the last action to speak of in the first half, giving the lads the chance to regroup and take stock at halftime.

They came out kicking down the slope in the second half with renewed vigour and a much improved passing game. It wasn't long until Bailey turned provider hitting a sweet cross from the right which Tom Horner met superbly, firing in a bullet header into the back of the net. The pressure cranked up somewhat as Darlington looked to widen the advantage, Euan Simpson hitting a thunderous twenty yard drive against the inside of the post.

Moments later, full back Sandy Gardner found himself one on one with the 'keeper after a smart one two, only to have his shot saved low to the keeper's left. Several corners followed but the wind was making it difficult to deliver any quality crosses.

Half way through the second half Spencer Soakell effectively put the game beyond any doubt when he won the ball with his back to goal twenty five yards out, swivelled and hit a stunning strike into the top left hand corner of the goal. Darlington, from this moment, had almost all the play and it came as no surprise when Dylan Lewis added a fourth with an exquisite lob from outside the box on his supposed weaker left foot, making it four goals in his last two appearances since returning from injury. That was the final goal of the game, the lads eventually looking a class above their opponents.

A very pleasing performance once more against a team in a false position having switched from playing in the Scarborough League last season to the TJFA this season. The boys continue to show a togetherness which is growing game on game, playing as much for each other as for themselves. They need to carry this ethos into next week's league game away to Stokesley.

Another raft of impressive performances all across the team, Dylan Wilson again catching the eye and a solid performance at the back from Alex Mason. Man of the match though was awarded to Dan Smith who endured a very physical battle in the heart of midfield but more often than not emerged with a touch of class.

Overshadowing the game though was another injury (following Ollie Johnson being ruled out for 4-6 weeks midweek), Kieran Longstaff, who has shone during preseason and the start of the season fell awkwardly following a heavy tackle. In obvious pain, Kieran was whisked to hospital for an x-ray which confirmed he had suffered a broken wrist. Kieran faces wearing a pot for at least four weeks. Myself and the rest of the squad wish both boys a speedy recovery.

Report by Andrew Alton

Under 8 FEETHAMS away from home

The lads were beaten 4-3 away from home – report by Martin Williamson

Well what can I say about this group of boys?

I have never in my life been prouder and the emotions that we all went through in this 3rd round cup tie was like nothing I have ever felt before.

We played a team who I can quite easily say would have put double figures past us this time last year.

This shows how far the boys have come on as a group.

From the first whistle to the very last the boys gave everything.  Our opponents took the lead only for Harry Ward to equalise a few seconds later from the kick off with a lovely move straight from the training ground.

The opposition knew they were in for a tough game, they then took the lead before Alva Williamson made it 2 all with a great finish.

The scores were 2 all going into the second half. Our opponents took a 3-2 lead only to have it cancelled out again by a very smart finish from Kai Martin.

Feethams very nearly snatched it at the end but only the wood work stood between us and a place in the next round.

Extra time saw both teams go at it like 2 heavyweight boxers. Only for our opponents to score from a deflected corner. The boys tried and tried but couldn't find the equaliser to take it to penalties.

There were tears at full time, but there was no need as every single player had played their heart out.

I have never been prouder of these boys and it was very emotional, even embracing their manager and both saying we have never seen or enjoyed a game of football like that at any level!

Joe Webster was amazing in goal, Mason Theaker was a rock at the back, Riley Singh ran his socks off and Jack Cameron had a couple of chances towards the end.

It is only fitting that every boy gets a man of the match award....absolutely brilliant. Close to tears!!

Quakers Under 8s score nine in Challenge Cup -- report by Brad Blythe

Darlington started the game brilliantly with a left foot long shot from Apo Bakan that went top bins overall Apo was brilliant in defence today.

Darlington didn’t stop there with some great passing and moving , Alfie Glancey was back to his best today scoring a hat-trick with some very good shots to test the keeper.

Miller Shield was brilliant chipping in with two great goals but his game in general was fantastic.

Zac Reeve came on from the bench and gave Darlo that little extra with his strength and commitment to win the ball.

Jack Parry was his usual self with some great creative play to create lots of chances for his attackers.

Darlington were cruising at this point but without our keeper Ben Willams the score line could have been higher with some good saves and kicking.

Travis Harrison came on from the bench and never let the manager down he created chances and scored a goal too.

That’s 3 wins in 3 games now for the lads, we now move on to the league with our Concentration fully focused on that.

MOM - Apo Bakan