Darlington Women went out of the Women’s FA Cup when they were beaten 4-1 at home by Sunderland West End on Sunday.

But there were plenty of positives in the defeat against a team from two leagues above.

Manager Shaun Mackenzie said; “‘It’s never nice to lose and go out of the FA Cup but we can certainly be proud of our performance. Considering Sunderland West End are top of their league two tiers above and unbeaten this season, I didn’t think there was much between the two sides. We still had some good chances and on another day we would have taken them. It’s always disappointing to concede from set pieces and we will put that right in training on Thursday but they didn’t actually break us down in open play and I thought we defended well and kept a good line.

“They certainly knew they were in a game and there’s plenty of positives to take into next week. I was delighted that we got the goal towards the end as we really did deserve to score, it was a well worked team goal and a fantastic finish from Hattie. We will pick ourselves up, regroup and go again next Sunday in the league against a decent Chester Le Street Development side.”

Match Report by Chris Barrett

It was a disappointing start to the game as Darlington started slow and were caught out early on after only four minutes. An early corner was given away and it was swung in to the danger area and it was not dealt with and took deft flick which put the ball into the back of the net. On 7 minutes, Sunderland were in behind again with the offside trap being beaten and allowing a clean run through on goal but Evie Whitaker stood up strong and made a good save to keep the ball out.

Only a minute later though the lead was doubled, again from a corner with the ball put right into the middle and it was a player in blue climbing the highest to nod the ball into the back of the net with a good header. 

After this Darlington settled and the back 3 of Chloe Tinkler, Millie Soderman and Lucy Hart kept a tight line with the Sunderland attackers time and again finding themselves offside and on occasions when they managed to stay onside, Lucy Hart was always there to recover and chase back to make some great last ditch tackles.

Just before the half hour mark Darlington were let off when Sunderland were in down the left and just inside the 6 yard box prodded the ball across the ball for it to be turned in but it was ruled to be offside.

Darlington were looking to build the play better and create spaces. This left room for Sara Waites to go on a fine run with a pirouette included just cutting in from the left getting a good strike at goal which was just pushed round the post.

This was followed by a corner which was met by Waites but was headed just over the bar. Just before the half time break Darlington had another chance with the ball picked up in space by Hattie Raine who struck from distance but it was held well by the Sunderland keeper.

Darlington came out strong in the second half and had a chance early on when the ball was played from the right across the box which made its way all the way across the box to be met by Emma Carter at the back post who hit the ball well back at goal and it took a great save from the keeper to keep the ball out at close range. 

On 56 minutes, Sunderland won a penalty when the ball was turned over just outside the Darlington box and as the players chased back in, heels were clipped and the attacker went down for a penalty.

The penalty was taken well as it was calmly placed low into the bottom corner.

Darlington had another chance after the penalty when the ball was picked up by Aimee Dagnall who struck well from distance and it took another good stop from the goalkeeper to keep the ball out.

On the 71st minute, Sunderland won another corner which was put in just under the bar and again this wasn’t dealt with and it found its way in to the back of the net.

Darlington had a chance from a corner themselves when it was put into the box and met by Katie Sheridan who made a good connection but it was put just over the bar.

On the 88th minute Darlington got their reward for their hard work and endeavour when the industrious Nicole Graham worked hard down the right beating her player to feed the ball into the near post to Hattie Raine who with an intricate touch chipped it past the defender,  Raine then ran around the defender to meet the ball and fired the ball across goal into the net.

The game finished 4-1 to Sunderland West End who deserved the win with but Darlington will be buoyed by the performance who gave the higher tier side a very tough game and created some good passages of play. There were a number of strong performances all over the pitch but player of the match was awarded to Hattie Raine for her hard work in retaining the ball and bringing others into play and finishing the game with a superb goal.

Darlington can now focus on the league with a tough fixture to look forward to against Chester Le Street Town development coming up next weekend. 

We’d like to thank the following kit sponsors

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Vacant 

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: Vacant

Sophie McNally:

Home: Vacant  

Away: Vacant

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

Lily Large:

Home: Vacant 

Away: Vacant 

Millie Soderman: 

Home: Corporate Personal Well Being 

Away: Vacant 

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: SR Entertainments 

Toni Upton

Home: Dawn Fire Safety 

Away: Dawn Fire Safety  

Emily Taylor 

Home: Northern Renewables 

Away: Northern Renewables 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Durham Blinds

Away: Vacant

Hattie Raine: 

Home: CNA Electronics

Away: CNA Electronics 

Katie Sheridan: 

Home: Darl Knight

Away: Vacant 

Lacey Baldwin: 

Home: Lineside Fencing NE Ltd 

Away: Vacant 

Chloe Ryan: 

Home: Vacant 

Away: Vacant 

Sara Waites: 

Home: Teesside University 

Away: Teesside University  

Nicole Graham

Home: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Away: Stuart Shanks Painting and Decorating

Leanne Clennett:

Home: Stockton Town Rugby Club

Away: Stockton Town Rugby Club 

Lucy Hart:

Home: Top Spec Boots

Away: D&G Trophies 

Lily Wilkinson:

Home: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Away: The Tuns at Sadberge 

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Stu Burkin training kit:Vacant 

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant