Darlington Youth FC Under 12s 5 TIBS 3

The lads finally got back to league action after clinching promotion three weeks ago Darlo haven't had a game since but they took on a strong TIBS side who were the only side to beat us in the first half of the season and only one of two sides to beat us all season!! Playing

on the 3G surface the lads were asked to enjoy the game but keep up the standards and attitude they have set all season and in an even first 15 minutes with Darlo looking slightly the better side without creating much and still getting used to the big pitch but also looking in no trouble at the back.

Darlo went in front on 20 minutes when the ball was laid back by Diamond for Jojo Crumpton to coolly pick his spot from outside the box and curl a great effort past the keeper into the

top corner 1-0. Then on 25 minutes Darlo went two up when the ball fell 25yrs out to Jamieson Sams who cut inside the defender and unleashed a great shot past the keeper and into the top corner. half time 2-0!!

The second half started so different with TIBS upping their game and becoming really strong in they tackles and this stopped Darlo controlling the game and this paid dividends for TIBS who then had two shots well saved but the rebound was hammered home 2-1.

Then straight from a corner the ref gave TIBS a penalty for a push 2-2 and within another 5 minutes TIBS went 3-2 up with an unmarked header from a corner!!

So with 12 minutes left and Darlo shocked and looking like this TIBS team had beaten them, the lads did what they have done all season -- they stuck together rolled their sleeves up and showed togetherness and the will not to be beaten and battled to the end. On 50 minutes and now playing three up front Benjy Keating, with superb vision and a diagonal pass sent Harry Dixon through, he ran towards the box and hit a shot inside the keeper 3-3.

Now Darlo sensed the opportunity that they could win the game and with a good passing move and Darren Waites played a nice ball round the defender, and showing great determination forward Jamie Diamond raced on to the ball but was brought down by the defender for a penalty!!

With regular penalty taker Moncur in goal Diamond stepped up and slotted the pen past the keeper to make it 4-3 with 5 minutes left!! Darlo went back to a solid formation and looked solid and in the last minute a great one touch move by Clark Waites, Walters, Keating then Sams released Diamond one on one with the keeper and he made no mistake to make the

final score 5-3 to Darlo!!

Motm was a joint reward to Callum Campbell for a great first half performance and Oli Clark who played the whole game confidently and solid at centre back!!

Well done boys