North Ormesby U14s 5 Darlington FC Youth U14s 2

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Darlington travelled to Middlesbrough to take on the team directly above them in the league. Through circumstance and bad luck though they could only travel with 10 players. Three unavailable and one late withdrawal through injury meant they had no choice other than to go and do their best.

The game started very evenly both teams having chances but it was the home team who were first to convert, a through ball saw 'keeper Kenzie Alton sprint out of his box but failed to make sufficient contact leaving the striker to pass the ball into an empty net on 10 mins. The boys didn't let their heads drop though and continued to apply good pressure to the home defence. After two or three half chances for the visitors Alex Mason converted slipping the ball sweetly to the keeper's left from just inside the box. A deserved equaliser for Darlington. Both teams continued to create chances, though without sounding biased it was the Quakers who looked the more likely to convert. A North Ormesby attack down the left flank though led to a penalty being conceded after a trip in the box. Keeper Kenzie Alton bounced confidently on his toes, making a good stop down to his left. A proud record of never letting in a penalty in a league match in his short career to date counted for nothing though as a striker was first to the rebound to lift it into the net. That was the last serious action in the first half, leaving the lads feeling a little hard done by going in at the break one down.

Darlington came flying out of the blocks once more from the restart and it wasn't long until Kieran Longstaff playing from left back went on a tremendous fifty yard run which unluckily ended up with his shot being blocked. Kevin Cook was also agonisingly close on a couple of occasions. Kenzie Alton in goal at the other end managed to snuff out several attacks rushing out to close the angle speedily more than once. Then a freak goal for the hosts, a cross cum shot flying in, Kenzie getting on hand to it knocking the ball against the post, the ball then hitting the back of his hand and into the net.

Game over? Not according to these ten young men in Darlo colours. They continued to pressure the home team creating numerous chances. When the ball did break against them both central defenders   - Alex Mason and Kian Slater were seemingly in the right place at the right time to clear the danger. Added to that the full backs Jack Browning and Kieran Longstaff ran their legs off, often turning defence into attack with intelligent use of the ball. The lads got just reward with around 20 minutes remaining, Liam Wynn felled in the box, dusting himself off before confidently stroking the ball into the net to bring the score back to 3-2. From this point Darlington piled yet more pressure on, looking almost certain to draw things level.

Luck though it seemed was with Ormesby. Shots from Darlington players flashed past the posts and outstretched legs were a fraction away from converting. In the dying minutes two goals from the hosts - one right on the full time whistle - made the score line look exactly the opposite to what it was - certainly not a routine victory.

Andrew Alton reflects - From my point of view as coach I could argue we were unlucky. One of the goals had four - yes four! - opposition players stood offside. Our top scorer Liam literally had no protection from the match official, constantly being pushed and kicked from behind. But I would rather focus on what these 10 young men did. Everyone one of them literally left nothing in the tank. They kept fighting until the end. They believed in themselves, chose not to focus that they were a man down but to try and pull off what on paper looked highly unlikely. They almost did it. They deserved a point at the very least. They played for each other - they believed in themselves.

Myself and the parents in attendance were simply very proud of the lads. The opposition coach admitted the result flattered his team and he believed it could well have ended in defeat had we had that eleventh player.

Our man of the match? It wouldn't have been silly for all ten to be named jointly.

Aside from that, Luke Corr was asked to do an unfamiliar man marking job on their speedy striker. He did so admirably. Kieran Longstaff asked to play at left back, and for the second week running worked tirelessly. Alex Mason at centre half and a make shift forward later, is fast becoming our Mr Consistent. Adam Webstell our midfield enforcer seems to be growing in confidence with every match. In the end though it was awarded to Kian Slater. A colossus of a performance. Showing a calm head under pressure and positionally never too far wrong.

So no points, but a very proud coach and an awesome performance doing their club very very proud. A great example of what it means to be a team.