Durham City Ladies: Durham City Ladies missed out on making the first round proper of the FA Cup after suffering an extra time defeat against local rivals Killingworth.
City had started the game badly as Killingworth had all the play and eventually the home side went 1-0 down. This, however, was what was required to get Durham going as they then came back strongly and got a deserved equaliser through striker Helen Richardson. Against the run of play, Killingworth then scored a direct free kick on the stroke of half time.
Early in the second half Durham felt that they were unlucky not to score when Charlotte Rimmer went clean through and the visitors 'keeper appeared to handle the ball outside the area. But with fifteen minutes to go City were handed a life line when substitute Vicky Collier blasted home a 25 yard free kick.
At 2-2 the game went into extra time. Killingworth got what was the winning goal in the first half of extra time. Durham may consider themselves unlucky though as both Richardson and Rimmer both went close to taking the tie to penalties before the final whistle.
Durham put a great performance last week at Spennymoor United's ground against Gateshead Cleveland Hall. After a series of very difficult games Durham had been looking forward to playing a less established team in the form of the second division outfit.
Gateshead proved to be a tough test for the first twenty minutes, they defended well and tried to pass the ball. But City were too strong and they were really up for this game.
During the match City eventually notched eight goals, hat-tricks were there for 17-year-old Emma Collinson and Newcastle University student Charlotte Rimmer. Loyal defender Tracey Symons had opened the scoring with only her second goal in around eight years of senior football. Midfielder Julie Campbell was also on the score sheet with a cracking volley from inside the box.
Top scorer for the last three seasons Helen Richardson incredibly did not score, but she did set up five of the eight goals.
Captain Claire Turner was delighted with the score, but also very gratefull to Spennymoor for allowing the team to use their ground.
She said: "We've had great support from Northern League clubs Durham City and Crook Town in the past, but now for Spennymoor to step in and help as well really shows how the interest in women's football continues to grow."
Durham County Girls Mini League
The newly-formed League play their first games tomorrow - a week later than planned.
The under-10s, with 11 teams, and the under-12s, with 12 teams, are playing at East Durham & Houghall College, Peterlee (10am). The under-14s and under-16s, with only three teams in each age group, are playing at Chester-le-Street Riverside (10am). All games are seven-a-side and last 30 minutes, 15 minutes each half.
These are the first female football leagues in County Durham to be played on Saturdays. There is one vacancy at under-10s and several vacancies in the under-14s and 16s age groups. Anyone interested should contact John Topping on (0191) 3848653 or Sheila Jevons on (0191) 3847006 as soon as possible.
Tomorrow's fixtures: Under-10s: Boldon v Blyth, Cleveland Hall A v Wearmouth, Cleveland Hall B v Ryton, Leam Rangers v North Shields, Middlesbrough v Newcastle. Vacant: Lumley
Under-12s: Cleveland Hall A v Consett Blackfyne, Cleveland Hall B v Trimdon, Consett Badgers v South Durham Royals, East Durham Cadets v North Shields, Newcastle A v Newcastle B, Ryton v Boldon.
Under-10s: Blyth v Cleveland Hall A, Newcastle v Lumley, North Shields v Middlesbrough, Ryton v Leam Rangers, Wearmouth v Cleveland Hall B. Vacant: Boldon.
Under-12s: Boldon v Cleveland Hall A, Consett Blackfyne v Cleveland Hall B, Newcastle B v Ryton, North Shields v Newcastle A, South Durham Royals v East Durham, Trimdon v Consett Badgers.
Chester-le-Street
Playing against Lumley in the Women's FA Cup second qualifying round, Chester's opponents proved to be a tougher nut to crack than many had predicted as Rachel Balfour and Louise Winter played major roles at the heart of the Lumley defence.
The tension surrounding the game seemed to get to the Cestrians as they struggled to find the killer pass so it came as no surprise when Claire Emery put Lumley ahead.
Captain Vikki Ryder hit the crossbar before Rachel Furness delivered a deep corner which went in off a Lumley player to level the game. This seemed lifted Chester-le-Street as Laura Darmody was next on the scoresheet to give Chester a half-time lead. Natalie Gutteridge's goal effectively killed the tie early in the second half. Lumley dug deep and even managed a couple of their own chances, but it was Chester who took the tie 3-1.
This week Chester-le-Street are in league action at Boldon, 2pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article