Darlington

After five weeks of frustration, the weather finally allowed Darlington to resume league fixtures, achieving a 5-0 away win over Sunderlands seconds in the North-East League, Division Two.

A fixture against Sunderland was not exactly the easiest way for Darlington to get back into playing mood. Both teams were very similar and the result does not really reflect true picture of the match.

The victory for Darlington does, however, was their 15th in a row, scoring 94 goals on route.

It only took Darlington two minutes for their first goal. Quick thinking from Darlington's midfield opened the way for striker Kim Richings to score the first of his two goals with a reverse stick hit. Although Sunderland kept on piling on the pressure, Darlington went 2-0 up, with Nick Wright connecting with a cross from the right and hammering a unstoppable shot past the Sunderland goalkeeper.

In the second-half Darlington played a more passing game and the emphasis clearly placed on keeping possession. The third goal was a result of Tristian Handley reacting first to a loose ball in the Sunderland D, calmly flicking the ball over the stranded Sunderland goalkeeper. Sunderland continued to search for their opening goal and it almost came midway through the second-half. After a breakaway Sunderland found themselves with an ideal opportunity to score, one yard out from goal. The umpire was pointing to the half-way line to signal a goal as the Sunderland strike sent his flick goalwards, but Darlington's young goalkeeper Elliot Boyle pulled off an amazing reflex save to keep a clean sheet.

A missed penalty did not deter Darlington, adding two further goals in the second-half. The best goal of the game came by way of a penalty corner and it was Alderson who provided the finish. The ball was pushed out to Alderson, who after a one-two with Handley, roofed an unstoppable flick past the Sunderland goalkeeper. The final goal came from Richings who made up for his penalty miss earlier on in the half.

The race for the league now looks to be a two-horse race with second place team Gateshead beating third-place team Wilton last weekend. Darlington entertain Tynemouth, who like Sunderland, proved to be hard opposition the last time they meet (pass back 12. 30 pm tomorrow at Eastbourne Sports Complex)

Darlington: Boyle, Ithurralde, Johnson, Alderson, Brown, Fisher, Handley, Hardy, Townend(capt), Richings, Wilson, Wright.