Darlington Women are through to the League Cup semi finals after beating Stockton Town in a penalty shootout last night.

After a 1-1 draw in normal time, they kept their composure to win the penalty shootout and give themselves a home tie in the semi finals against Hebburn on Sunday 5^th May.

Manager Shaun MacKenzie said; “I’m absolutely over the moon for the girls with the win and into the semi finals. We knew it would be a tough game against a very decent young Stockton side. We had a depleted squad with a few injuries, holidays and work with it being a Thursday night game but that didn’t deter the 14 in the squad.

“We started the game well and both teams had chances, it was a good competitive game of football and to be fair could have went either way. Evie was superb in goal and dealt with anything she needed too and the CB partnership of Millie Garnett and Millie Soderman defended well, an important clearance off the line from Garnett in the first half and I thought their reading of the game all night was brilliant.

“The goal came at the right time, just before the break and we needed it, what a goal it was, fitting of a goal that put the club in the semi final, what a hit from Chloe Ryan. We talked about a few things at half time and the fact we needed to stop their danger player out wide, we doubled up with Nicole coming across from midfield and tried to get our wingers playing a little higher up the pitch which worked to some extent in the second half.

“Obviously the game got open towards the end with Stockton pushing for the equaliser and with only three subs, we had some tired legs out there. But they all grafted right till the end and it was another real team performance which got us through to the next round. Stockton got the equaliser late on and on reflection probably deserved it. A draw was a fair result.

“There are no draws in cup games though and when it went to penalties, although nervous, I was quietly confident that we would go through. We have a good penalty shootout record over the last few seasons and we also have one of the best goalkeepers in the league. Evie proved me right with two great saves and we took each penalty calm and composed. Ryan and Hattie were never missing and a massive shoutout to Chloe Tinkler who came on in the last minute just to take a penalty, without even kicking a ball all game. She was up for it when I asked her to go on and delivered for the team. Well done to Emily Taylor for scoring the winning penalty, always a great feeling to share.

‘We now have a semi final to look forward too and we will prepare well in training next Thursday and be ready for Hebburn to come to Eastbourne Sports Complex."

Here’s the match report from Chris Barrett:

Darlington went ahead just before the half time break with a wonder goal from Chloe Ryan, right in the top bins. Taking a 1-0 lead into half time. Stockton began to pile the pressure on with not much time left on the clock. But then Emily Taylor thought she had won it with a great left foot finish, only for it to be ruled out for offside. Stockton went up the other end and got the equaliser eight minutes before time. 

The game went to a penalty shootout, with keeper Evie Whitaker pulling off two saves, Chloe Ryan, Hattie Raine, Chloe Tinkler all dispatched their penalties and up stepped Emily Taylor to win it for Darlington and take them into the next round where they will play Hebburn Town at home in the semi final on Sunday 5th May. 

Player of the match went to Millie Soderman (sponsored by Personal Well Being and Kia) for a fantastic performance at centre back, reading the game well and dealing with a strong and quick Stockton attack.

We would like to thank everyone who attended tonight for their support and hope to see you at Eastbourne as the Quaker Women look to make the League Cup Final. 

Thanks to all the sponsors and thanks to Stockton Town F.C Ladies for the game. Best of luck for the rest of the season in your remaining league games.

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