Superb First Half Spell Sees Park View Progress
Durham County FA Frank Pattison Challenge Cup 1st Round - Wednesday 7th October 2026 Darlington Town 1 v 3 Park View AFC
Park View moved forward to the second round of the prestigious Durham County FA Frank Pattison Challenge Cup courtesy of an excellent 3 - 1 away win at Darlington Town.
A result built on a superb first half performance and a devastating five-minute spell which brought three goals in quick succession and rocked the home side. Despite a spirited second half showing from Town there was no way back.
With Dylan Robson cup-tied for this contest having previously played for Newton Aycliffe it meant one change for Park View from last Friday's 3 - 1 win in the League at Ryton & Crawcrook.
Will Dryden coming in for his full senior debut at right back after impressing in both Under-18 and Park View's college fixtures. It also meant Reyhan Grimaud switching to centre back alongside Alex Clark.
Into October now and the temperatures dropping off the pitch but certainly not on it as Park View continued their red-hot form from Friday night with another scorching display.
On the artificial turf of the Eastbourne Sports Complex the visiting side were able to show their full range of pace, ball control and astute passing particularly in the first 45 minutes.
The second 45 proved trickier but once again highlighted the togetherness of the team how they fight and compete for every ball and can defend well when required to.
A very bright start from Park View saw them force two corners inside the first minute. Jacob Mallinson putting Charlie Loveday through on goal but he hesitated just long enough to allow Luke Jackson to clear.
Mallinson's first corner was scrambled clear by the Town defence but only for another. This time Clark got a header on goal but it was blocked by Joe Betteridge.
On the counter Brandon Mallaburn almost put Will Maddison clean through but Grimaud got back into position to make a great covering tackle.
Mallinson was then upended by Max Craggs about 25-yards out and in a central location. Mallinson lined the kick up but drove it straight into the wall and then from the rebound lifted a left-foot effort well over the bar.
The game had started at a real clip with Park View zipping the ball about the pitch and when Darlington got possession they tried to counter quickly. A neat Frankie Young defensive header set up Park View's next chance.
The ball found Loveday inside his own half and he sped towards the Darlington goal with real pace. A brilliant run saw him fly past three defenders before he slipped the ball inside the box to Niall Armstrong.
Armstrong's instantaneous shot saw Town keeper Tyler Smith get down low at his near post to make a neat save. Then Dryden going forward crossed dangerously from the right. The ball in just being a bit long.
Isaac Anderson retrieved it on the other flank and crossed deep. Dryden still up with the attack almost getting on the end of the ball but good defending by Jack Raper denied him.
The next chance should how quickly Park View can go from defence to attack on such a surface. Jack Stapley playing a good ball wide right to Sean Chindanyika who crossed dangerously on the run.
Trystan Hounsell dived outwards fully to palm the ball away in good style and it was picked up midway in his own half by Nathan Conroy who played a superb ball through the Town defence and Loveday was away.
PV's top scorer getting to the edge of the box on the right hand side before firing in a low right-footer across the diving Smith that just evaded the far post and went wide.
At times it felt like Darlington were chasing shadows as Park View's all-over and all-around play left them without much in the way of possession. But it took until 32 minutes before the visitors finally made their play pay.
Frankie Young started the move with a ball through the midfield to Mallinson who in turn found Conroy just outside the box. Park View's central striker advancing before finding Loveday with a lovely pass.
Loveday took the chance well and hit a sweet left-foot shot from inside the box that did take a slight deflection but was on target and the wrong-footed Smith could not keep out as Park View went in front.
Just three minutes later and the rampaging Park View were celebrating again. Another superb sweeping move started and finished by Captain Ben Gallagher. Bringing a ball forward from defence he launched a lightning quick attack.
Conroy, Armstrong and then Loveday all involved with Loveday's final incisive pass finding Gallagher who had continued his run and swept the ball past the helpless Smith from the edge of the box with his left foot.
Park View flying now and totally relentless and they completed a four to five minute superb spell with another goal on 37 mins. Mallinson and Gallagher setting up Loveday who struck a great effort past the diving Smith.
It did not go in though and hit the inside of the post before coming out to Conroy who like all good strikers was in the right place at the right time to slot the loose ball into the empty net.
Darlington were completely stunned and shell-shocked as Park View continued their possession and dominance right to the half-time whistle. The closest they came to a fourth was seconds before the break.
Gallagher's fine ball over the top freeing Armstrong who cut in from the right but his left foot effort from just outside the box flew well over. It was the last action of a half that in truth Park View would not have wanted to end.
Would there be a response from Darlington in the second half was the question. Well, they certainly showed pride and more committment striving to get back into the game.
Mallaburn setting Stapley away down the right who outpaced Anderson and put in a dangerous cross that Frankie Young headed out for a corner. Mason Hardy taking it and swinging in a right foot delivery.
Centre back Jackson getting up highest to head on target from about 8-yards out but the effort did not trouble Hounsell who saved it cleanly and comfortably.
Then Hardy fired in a low cross that deflected off Anderson causing Hounsell to have to adjust and scramble the ball around his post. Hardy's corner this time met by Clark with a towering clearing header.
A neat Town move saw Chindanyika find Craggs who gave Maddison a shooting chance from just outside the box but his effort was well over the top with Hounsell untroubled.
Park View were defending well but always ready to luanch an attack forward which they did to good effect down the left with Anderson who made ground before laying the ball short inside to Mallinson.
His shot was blocked but fell to Loveday about 20-yards out who curled a lovely right-foot effort towards the bottom left hand corner. Smith though did well though to dive low and palm the ball away.
Substitute Joel White was showing some good pace down the right for the home side and got in a great cross that as met by a looping header from Stapley from about 8-yards out that was just inches over the bar.
Mallinson then stretched the Town defence with a neat ball left to Armstrong who cut inside from the flank on to his right foot before rifling in a shot from just outside the box. But it was straight at Smith who held it easily.
On 70 minutes Town did get a lifeline and with twenty minutes to go perhaps revived hope. James Beauchamp getting the wrong side of both Gallagher and Frankie Young just inside the box and looking to pull the trigger.
Young attempting to retrieve the position only succeeded in tripping Beauchamp and the referee correctly pointing to the penalty spot. Up stepped substitute Nathan Stephenson who sent Hounsell the wrong way to score.
It lead to a spell of renewed hope for Darlington and some good possession football. Beauchamp almost putting Hardy through on goal until Grimaud stepped in and made an excellent and crucial challenge.
The ball was recycyled by Town to Betteridge who tried his luck from 22-yards but Hounsell was alert and got across to parry the ball down and then claim the bouncing effort cleanly.
Despite pulling that goal back Town were getting little change out of a well organised Park View defence. The midfield and attack for PV giving the ball away a little but Grimaud and Clark were well in control behind them.
It meant no more alarms or scares for Park View who were able to cruise through the final minutes to complete an excellent away win and take their place in the next round of Durham's most prestigious cup competition.
TEAM : 1. Trystan Hounsell 2. Will Dryden 3. Isaac Anderson 4. Frankie Young 5. Alex Clark 6. Reyhan Grimaud 7. Jacob Mallinson 8. Ben Gallagher (c) 9. Nathan Conroy 10. Niall Armstrong 11. Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12. Ollie Taylor (for Dryden 90 mins) 13. Lewis Stephenson (Not Used) 14. Brandon Young (for Conroy 64 mins) 15. Bobby Gough (for Armstrong 85 mins) 16. Zac Boddy (Not Used)
SCORERS : Loveday 32, Gallagher 35, Conroy 37
PLAYER of the MATCH : Ben Gallagher
Comments