In theNationwide League derbies between Darlington and Hartlepool have been non existent this season but in the Teesside Junior Alliance they are a regular occurrence and on Sunday Darlington RA Juniors and Hartlepool Crest provided a typical North-East cup tie.
Two different teams were on display with Hartlepool being big, strong and physical while the RA passed fluently, retained possession and worked hard for each other.
After ten minutes Hartlepool took the lead when the RA's defence allowed a long ball to bounce. But it was not long before the RA were level through forward Tom Watson and the goal transformed the RA who started winning every tackle and competing for all the loose balls and just before half-time Jack Ridley gave the RA a deserved lead.
In the second half the RA created numerous chances and it was only a matter of time before Liam 'Big Al' Allen extended the lead.
When Jack Ridley completed the scoring tie was effectively over. Man of the match was keeper Matty 'Handy' Andrews who made a crucial save with the score at 2-1.
The 4-1 victory sees the RA progress to the quarter-finals.
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