Darlington women advanced in the Durham County FA Women's Cup with a comfortable 5-1 home win over Gateshead Leam Rangers.
Goals from Hattie Raine, Chloe Ryan (2) and Nicole Graham (2) put Quakers into the next round, four of those goals coming in the first half.
Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; "We're pleased to get through to the next round and I thought the girls got the job done well. We needed a reaction after last week's defeat against Sunderland and it was good to get all three strikers on the scoresheet today. "Although we essentially won the game in the first half, I thought it was all a bit panicky and rushed and we played a lot better football second half. We saw the game out the well, keeping possession, looking after the ball and created any amount of chances.
"We just needed to be a bit more composed in front of goal in that second half and we could have had another five. Four of our U18s started the game today, and it’s great to see their progression over the last few years. I thought Evie did extremely well in goal and happy to be able to give her that opportunity today."
Here's the match report from Chris Barrett
Darlington FC Women 5-1 Gateshead Leam Rangers
Darlington started well and got a good opportunity in the first 2 minutes when the ball was played down the right to Hattie Raine who struck from the edge of the box across the goal but it went just wide.
Leam were always prepared to counter and got the ball through the middle on 13 minutes and it was Lily Large who was quick to react to cut the attacker to get the ball out of the box.
It wasn’t fluid flowing football as the ball was regularly being played high and over the top making it difficult to control.
On 21 minutes, Nicole Graham received the ball on the right hand side of the box and she drove in and struck well but it was saved by the keeper and the clearance found Raine on the edge of the box who took it down well and lashed it past the keeper's right to give Darlington the lead.
On the 29th minute it was 2-0 when Raine played the ball with her left foot out to Chloe Ryan down the left hand side, she cut inside and from distance struck the ball magnificently in off the opposite post giving the keeper no chance. Leam maintained the pressure and just after the goal managed to intercept the ball in Darlington's half, the ball was dribbled into the box getting bundled past a couple of defenders and as the ball was struck for goal it was Wearmouth who threw herself in the way of the shot smothering the ball and keeping it out of danger.
On 34 minutes it was 3-0 with the ball being played up the middle by Lou Brown which was collected by Graham who dribbled past the defender into the box and then calmly finished to add another goal to her impressive tally for the season.
Darlington continued to attack but were caught on the break which allowed a 1v1 but Evie Whittaker, on her competitive debut stood strong and came out victorious, blocking the ball and keeping it out of goal.
On 42 minutes Leam were allowed too much time in the middle and a speculative shot from very far out was struck well and it sailed high over the keeper to get Leam a goal back. It was only a few minutes later into injury time when Darlington made it four with the assist from Emma Doudican, who after good build up play, passed it into Ryan who had time and space in the centre to pick her spot and finish well.
Although Darlington got the majority of the goals in the first half, Darlington started to play better football in the second. One of the better chances fell to Wearmouth from a corner who rose highest but headed just wide.
Darlington were starting to build more attacks from the back with Emma Carter and Chloe Bright linking up well to build through the phases allowing chances for Ryan and Bright to get attempts on goal.
Leam were still dangerous and looking to get forward where possible and were still creating chances.
It wasn’t until the 85th minute when the next goal was scored with Darlington getting a corner into the box which was not under control and it landed at the feet of Graham who has the natural instinct to finish and that’s just what she did to make it 5-1. Leam had another chance before the final whistle but again Whittaker came out quick to block with her feet to cap a strong debut performance.
Although the goals came in the first half it was the second which had the better footballing display from Darlington with a number of strong performances including a calm 2nd half performance in the middle of the park from Millie Garnett, but player of the match was awarded to Chloe Ryan (sponsored by Arthur Wharton Foundation and Quaker Distillery) who scored two goals of the highest quality and was very important in the Darlington attack.
We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:
Martina Cuccunato:
Home: Premier 1 Filtration
Away: Vacant
Ellen Atkinson:
Home: LW & GM Atkinsons & Son
Away: Harker Coaches
Evie Whittaker:
Home: Steve Halliday
Away: Vacant
Emma Carter:
Home: Direct Flooring
Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology)
Alice Wearmouth:
Home: Direct Flooring
Away: SMS Tech (Smart Manufacturing Solutions Technology)
Lou Brown:
Home: Saddington Taylor LTD
Away: vacant
Gabi Paduriaru:
Home: David Stothard
Away: Colin Bromley
Millie Garnett:
Home: Eco Hair Salon
Away: Phil's Fine Finishes
Lily Large:
Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation
Away: Vacant
Chloe Tinkler:
Home: Steve Halliday
Away: Brinkburn Pub
Chloe Bright:
Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training
Away: Active Kids Play Scheme
Toni Upton
Home: Dawn Fire Safety
Away: Dawn Fire Safety
Emma Doudican
Home: Winroths Hairdressing
Away: Winroths Hairdressing
Olivia Whitworth
Home: Terry Farley MBE
Away: Vacant
Aimee Dagnall
Home: Andrew Scullion
Away: Vacant
Hattie Raine:
Home: Thomas Watson Auctioneers
Away: Thomas Watson Auctioneers
Katie Sheridan:
Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation
Away: Ingleton Site Management LTD
Lacey Baldwin:
Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd
Away: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd
Chloe Ryan:
Home: Arthur Wharton Foundation
Away: The Little Quaker Distillery
Caisey Lee
Home: vacant
Away: vacant
Nicole Graham
Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating
Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating
Management team:
Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman
Sam Pascoe training kit: NC Group LTD
Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant
Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant
