MATCH REPORT: Darlington RA 2 Hartlepool United 4. Elliott scores hat-trick

Hartlepool United’s derby with Darlington may have dropped off the radar almost a decade ago.

But tonight Pools have returned along the A66 in style for a Durham Challenge Cup tie.

A trip to Darlington Railway Athletic may be a far cry from the super Sunday when Eifion Williams ripped the Quakers to shreds 3-0 on way to promotion from League Two in 2006.

But it was pretty impressive at Brinkburn Road, where Dylan Elliott netted a hat-trick against the Ebac Northern League side.

Pools had to do it the hard way at Darlington Railway Athletic, fighting back from an early home goal to win 4-2.

Jim Wilson put RA ahead with an eighth-minute free-kick.

The largely-teenage side put together some good football against the high-flying Second Division team.

Elliott had the first Pools crack at goal but it was high and wide while Jordan Jewson turned smartly and brought a good save from the RA keeper.

Ebby Nelson-Addy had a go from a free-kick but it did not trouble the home keeper but the midfielder was not to be denied after the break.

He was brought down for a penalty and got up to put the spot-kick away to make it 1-1.

And Pools were in front when Fraser Briggs put the ball in the box for Elliott to finish.

Pools went close to a third when Kieran Green and Elliott combied to set up Jewson, only for his effort to hit the post.

Darlington RA equalised through Harvey Saunders but Elliott soon took charge of the tie.

Green’s great pass found him on the right and the Blackhall teenager thumped his shot into the top corner.

At the other end, James Dawson made a tremendous save to keep Pools 3-2 up and that stop was to prove crucial.

Jack Blackford played in a perfect ball for Elliott to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-2.

It was a great team effort by a young Pools side, with Nelson-Addy and Green, the only two ‘senior’ men earning praise from Ycoach John Hewitson, who led the side alongside Ian McGuckin.

“They showed what great characters they are,” said the Youth Development boss. “They gave us energy and displayed the right example.”