Darlington Women clinched a top two place in the Durham County FA Women's League with an emphatic 8-0 win at Hebburn on Sunday -- but they must now wait and see whether have won promotion.

Quakers went top of the table with this win, but second placed Chester-le-Street Amazons have three games in hand and will probably overtake them.

So now Quakers have an anxious wait for a few weeks until the FA decides whether to approve their promotion application to the North East Regional Women's League.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; "I was absolutely delighted for the players today. We put ourselves under a bit of pressure dropping points against Leam a few weeks back and knew we needed maximum points till the end of the season. We’ve reacted to that result brilliantly, winning three on the bounce, with two clean sheets and scoring 19 goals.

“It’s not easy picking up the three points when you know they might mean something in terms of the league table position and we’ve not just picked up three points, but we’ve played some excellent football and played Hebburn of the park. I’ve said it a few times this season, but is absolutely true that Sunday’s was a real team performance. Passing was on point and some really good unselfish team goals were scored today. A whole squad performance as well with everyone getting on the pitch and doing the job they’ve been asked to do.

“That win on Sunday guarantees us second place in the league and although that doesn’t guarantee promotion, I will have everything crossed until the decision is made. These girls really do deserve it this season and I’m very proud of how far we’ve come and the style of football that we are playing. It will be a big challenge in the league above if we do go up, but I’m certain we are ready for that next step.

“Although the league is done, we still have a League Cup Quarter Final to play, so get yourselves down to Stockton Town on Thursday to support us! “

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett:

With other results going Darlington’s way, this actually puts Darlington top of the league for the weekend, although Chester Le Street Amazons only need one point from their remaining three games to clinch the title.

The opening few minutes of the game started fast but well balanced with both sides showing attacking intent from the off.

There were interchanges from both teams but on 8 minutes Darlington showed their quality when a ball played down the left into Chloe Ryan was clipped over the defence for Hattie Raine to run on to who finished with a delightful lift over the keeper for the ball to drop into the net.

There was more good play from Darlington and they capitalised on 16 minutes when there was a one two between Ryan and Raine with Raine providing the ball back into Ryan just into the left hand side of the box, Ryan cut inside and smashed the ball in past the keeper to double the lead.

Three minutes later Darlington added a third when Emily Taylor did well to retain the ball on the right to be able to pull the ball back to Sara Waites who was outside the box in the centre of the pitch, she took the ball down well and manoeuvred it quick to her left foot and struck a sweet strike into the top right hand side of the goal giving the keeper no chance to make it 3.

After 25 minutes Hebburn had a good chance with a ball from the left being played over the top in behind the defence to allow the striker to get in at goal but Evie Whitaker was sharp to it and was quickly out to smother the shot and keep the ball out of the Darlington net. 

Darlington were still creating chances with Chloe Bright playing a good ball in from the right deep to Ryan who turned smartly but the keeper was out fast to smother the shot. At the other end Millie Soderman was required to used her pace and strength in order to stop a quick counter from the Hebburn attack.

Just before the half time break Hebburn had another chance with the ball played back to Whitaker who could not pick it up so had to get the ball out of the area but it was picked up by Hebburn who managed to get the ball in beyond Whitaker but Chloe Bright ran in smartly to cover and clear the ball off the line. 

Darlington came out strong in the second half with substitute Grace Taylor coming on up top and going close just drilling a shot wide soon after the break. On 48 minutes the ball was played through the middle to Grace Taylor by Raine and Taylor was calm and composed in front of goal slotting the ball into the bottom left hand corner past the keeper to give Darlington an unassailable 4-0 lead.

After 55 minutes it was another goal for Chloe Ryan with Waites slipping the ball down the right just into the box for Ryan to meet and have time to set herself and to smash it past the keeper for a brace. 

 Just two minutes it was another goal for Grace Taylor after a well struck shot from Bright was pushed onto the bar by the keeper and Taylors predatory striker instincts had her react first to chase the ball in and nod the ball into the net with her head. 

Just after the hour mark it was the deadly combination of Ryan and Raine with Ryan slipping the ball in down the right for Raine who drove into the box and was prolific in putting the ball past the keeper. Just two minutes later it was Raine again, this time being supplied by Waites who slipped the ball in from the centre to Raine who was just on the right hand side of the box but she cut back in onto her left and made no mistake in completing the scoring and her hat trick.

Darlington still kept on pushing coming close with good efforts from Waites and Bright but there was to be no more goals and Darlington held out for a strong clean sheet.

It was a really good performance from the team who made sure they were professional to the end and to give themselves the best chance of promotion which would be richly deserved after some great performances this season. There were a number of strong performances with the hat trick from Raine and a solid defensive display including a clean sheet for Whitaker but player of the match was awarded to Chloe Ryan who was a constant threat and showed great quality with her goals and assists.

Here's the league table

https://fulltime.thefa.com/table.html?selectedSeason=516237003&selectedDivision=371387182&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableDay=22&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableMonth=3&ftsTablePageContent.fixtureAnalysisForm.standingsTableYear=2024&activeTab=1

We'd like to thank our kit sponsors:

We'd like to thank the following kit sponsors:

Evie Whittaker: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Vacant 

Emma Carter:

Home: Direct Flooring 

Away: 

Lou Brown:

Home: Saddington Taylor LTD

Away: vacant

Millie Garnett:

Home: Eco Hair Salon

Away: Phil's Fine Finishes

Lily Large:

Home: The Unknown Creative

Away: Lineside Fencing

Millie Soderman: 

Home: Corporate Personal Well Being 

Away: Kia

Chloe Tinkler: 

Home: Steve Halliday

Away: Brinkburn Pub

Chloe Bright: 

Home: Jordan Hanratty Personal Training 

Away: SR Entertainments 

Emily Taylor 

Home: Northern Renewables 

Away: Northern Renewables 

Aimee Dagnall 

Home: Durham Blinds

Away: Andrew Scullion

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: Sign Lead

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 

Lucy Charlton

Home and away vacant

Management team:

Shaun Mackenzie training kit: John Vickerman

Stu Burkin training kit:Vacant 

Dan Lupu training kit: Vacant

Chris Barrett training kit: Vacant