Darlington Spartans FC

On the road in the morning Staindrop Wheatsheaf FC

Spartans are up and running with 3 points after a comprehensive victory at Skerne Park. Always a tricky place to go, we were well up for this playing our fellow promoted team and the Wilson brothers linked up after 7 minutes to put us into the lead. Andy playing through Matty on his debut, to calmly round the keeper and make it 1-0. After 23 mins it was 2. Adam Lamb perfectly switching the ball for Luke Upex to fire across the keeper. Andy made it 3-0 three minutes later, getting a touch on a whistling shot from Louis to prod home. Matty got his brace after a bullet header from one of Louis’ corners.

Shortly after half-time, Skerne pulled a goal back and it took us a while to wake up after the break. We once again pulled further ahead when Luke glanced on for Andy to drop the shoulder on his man to make it 5-1. Zak Bowman got on the scoresheet for his first league goal when he flicked it over his man on the half way line, raced through another couple defenders before placing in the top corner through on goal. Skerne Park got a consolation with a scruffy bundle into the goal towards the end.

Lots of strong performances from all 17 including two good debuts from Matty Wilson and Josh Watson but MOTM goes to Andy Wilson who was excellent up front today scoring two and creating one.

Good luck to Skerne Park for the rest of the season, and thanks for their hospitality.

A trip to Skerne park FC awaits tomorrow. 10:30KO at the Community Centre.

Unfortunate defeat today. 1-0 down after a short back pass was gobbled up by the forward who made no mistake. From there it was a pretty even affair, neither team creating many chances in a cagey game.

We threw caution to the wind in the last 10 minutes and created two massive chances, one which saw an inch perfect tackle deny a one-on-one and a point blank save from the keeper deep into injury time.

A positive performance despite the result with another injury-hit team out.

MOTM Andy Wilson

Tomorrow we welcome Staindrop Wheatsheaf FC

10:30 KO at Springfield

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A tough day at the office. Stanhope were excellent opposition and we never got going. With 4 injuries during the match, we had to finish the game with a makeshift team. Josh Walshaw finishing well for our goal and Charlie Carrigan industrious throughout the only positives to take today. At home to Staindrop next Sunday looking to bounce back.

Our Division One opener sees us host Stanhope Town Sports & Social Club FC at Springfield.

A tough test facing last season’s runners-up but one we’re looking forward to.

10:30KO💙🤍

THANK YOU! Totals have been finalised for our Chris Greaves & Andy Blair Memorial Day and we have raised £2,472 for Mind and Cancer Research. A massive thanks to everyone involved!💙🤍

Another 90 mins in the legs as we beat Barnard Castle Youth 6-3.

The pitch was changed last minute to a pitch slightly bigger than 9 a side size and we struggled in the opening exchanges to find our passing range. After 7 mins we took the lead when Louis O’Neill fired in from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. Luke Upex drove inside to lay off Zak Bowman to make it 2-0 in the 35th minute. A few minutes later, Adam Lamb fired a pass into Andy Wilson to turn his defender and slot home to go into the break with a 3-0 lead.

Barney got a quickfire double to make a game out of it and we needed to sharpen up, and did so accordingly when Blair crossed the ball in for Andy to take a touch and finish to make it 4-2. The goal of the game saw Zak Bowman cut inside, play a one-two with Andy before calmly putting into the corner to make it 5 in 3 for our new signing. Barney scored another goal after some slack defending but the 3 goal lead was restored when Luke Upex tapped home after a defensive mix-up. Not the best game for us defensively but arguably our most prolific friendly yet, with the keeper having to pull off a number of incredible saves.

All the best to Barney as they go into their first season in men’s football. A lot of parallels to ourselves 8 years ago and nice to see a group of good young players go into Sunday football.

A big thanks to The Harvey McWilliams Foundation for the 12 matchballs which we won this week. An excellent charity in memory of Harvey, they have helped around 3000 people play the sport with their boot library and other sports equipment. Please visit their site on Whessoe Road to help them continue their good work across the North East helping those who need it most.

Goals:
Louis O’Neill ‘7
Zak Bowman(Luke Upex) ‘35
Andy Wilson(Adam Lamb) ‘38
Andy Wilson(Alex Blair) ‘59
Zak Bowman(Andy Wilson) ‘65
Luke Upex ‘83

MOTM: Andy Wilson

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