A great team performance today and plenty of smiling face.
St.Mary's started the game with a few missing players due to being poorly, injured or being away but welcomed Liam Gibson back to the squad after a long spell out through injury.
The team set up with Liam Hutchinson in goal, Matthew, Haz, Ethan and Adam at the back, Sasha, Dom, Aiden and Matty in midfield and Jamie and Callum up front. Subs Liam Usher, Liam Gibson and Christian Wood.
Both team started well but St.Mary's were the first to have the first opportunity when Callum broke away down the left and squared the ball to Jamie only for his effort to go wide of the post somehow.
The commitment and desire the lads gave today throughout the team was evident and rewarded with St.Mary's ending the half 3-1 up with goals from Callum x2 and Jamie x1.
Changes were made at half time which seen the introduction of Liam Gibson come on for his 1st game back for St.Mary's after a long period out through injury and he made an instant impact with a goal from inside the 6 yard box. Within 5 minutes Jamie got his second of the game to make it 5-1. St.Mary's looked comfortable but Darlington were not finished when they got their second of the game from a set piece. 5-2.
Aiden who by this time got moved up front got a well deserved individual goal from just inside the box to make it 6-2. Woody was introduced and made a good impact when he jinked past x2 Darlington players into the box only to be brought down which the Ref gave a penalty.
Woody took the penalty which the keeper saved but there was no stopping Jamie who pounced straight away to slot the ball home for his hat trick and to make it 7-2. 5 mins later and a great inswinging corner from Woody hit the bar, Matthew nearly scored then Adam was in the right place at the right time to tuck the ball home from close range. 8-2.
Darlington then got another goal from a short corner to make it 8-3 and this is how the game ended.

Final Score
St.Mary's U16 - 8
Darlington FC U 16 - 3

Man of the Match - Ethan Neal with an exceptional performance in central defence

A great team effort today through all thirds of the pitch - Well done Lads