Darlo Under 13s beaten but not disgraced at Durham

By Ray Simpson

Darlo Under 13s beaten but not disgraced at Durham

Durham City U13's 7 Darlington Youth U13's 2Squad:Lewis Johnston, Sam Pocock, Lewis Smith, Alex Twed...

Darlington Building society shop

Durham City U13's 7 Darlington Youth U13's 2

Squad:Lewis Johnston, Sam Pocock, Lewis Smith, Alex Tweddle, Joshua Bell, Tom Ord (capt), Jermaine Ruddick, Jack Harland, Spencer McCabe, Archie Bruce, Ben Jackson, Harvey Nichol, Lucas Hendrickson, Kieron Sheldon.

Darlington got the game off to a flying start, passing and moving down the pitch, putting pressure on Durham. Jermaine Ruddick broke free only to have his shot saved by the keeper. Again Darlington won possession and moved the ball around the pitch, playing very smoothly for the first 15 minutes, commanded by new captain Tom Ord in the middle, Durham hardly getting a touch.

Then Durham won the ball and from nowhere the No.9 striker shot away to put it in the back of the net, 1-0.

Darlington re-grouped and kicked off again, but Durham got through again 2-0, heads began to drop. Durham were trying a long ball over the back four, but Josh Bell clear with his head on several occasions, At the other end striker Jack Harland managed to get past the three defenders that were marking him to have his shot go narrowly wide. Towards the end of the half a further two were added to the Durham score and with a brilliant finger tip save from keeper Lewis Johnston, the half then ended.

Half Time: Durham City U13's 4 Darlington Youth U13's 0

Second half started the same as the first, 5-0. The team formation changed, several substitutions made. Darlington started to gel a little more and support each other. Jermaine Ruddick was fouled 10 yards outside the box, Jack Harland stepped up to take it from the left hand-side and sweetly placed it in the top right hand corner, 5-1. Tom Ord, Alex Tweddle and Ben Jackson started to work the ball well between themselves and played Spencer through on to goal. No.9 broke through again and no-one was going to catch him, the word 'fast' doesn't describe him, 6-1.

Darlington pulled a consolation goal through hard work from Spencer McCabe to slide it under the keeper, 6-2.

Attacks came from Harland, Tweddle, Ruddick and McCabe but could not get another. In the last minute No.9 again broke free and slotted number 7.

Full time: Durham City U13's 7 Darlington Youth 2

This team needs time to gel, a summer of many on holiday, 7 new signings in the last three weeks and three making their debuts!

Patience lads it WILL come good, hard work and determination! We have a strong squad and strong players.