Fixture details: Darlington versus Merthyr Town

National League North
Darlington badge
Darlington
Merthyr Town badge
Merthyr Town
3
1
FT
  • Maskell
  • Rutledge
  • Main
Venue
Blackwell Meadows
Attendance
1,500
Darlington versus Merthyr Town video highlights

Darlington had to work for this one, but when the moment came they took it with conviction, turning a frustrating afternoon into a statement win under the fading winter light at Blackwell Meadows.

Trailing to a first half breakaway and facing a well organised Merthyr side sitting third in the table, Quakers showed patience and belief to haul themselves back, Jack Maskell’s return to the starting line up providing the spark before a late surge settled matters.

The 3–1 victory keeps Darlington unbeaten in 2026, leaves them fifth in the table, level on points with Radcliffe and two clear of Scarborough, and offered a measure of revenge for defeat in south Wales earlier in the season.

It did not feel like a game that would require a comeback in the opening exchanges. Darlington began brightly and with purpose. Kallum Griffiths’ early crossfield passing set the tone, one sweeping ball finding Tom Tweedy inside the opening minute, his second effort flying into the side netting. Moments later Ellis Stanton tested Cogman from the edge of the area, the keeper pushing a skidding left foot shot over the bar.

Merthyr were being asked questions, particularly by Griffiths’ deep crosses, one of which Maskell met with a header that Cogman again kept out. Another diagonal delivery caused confusion, Platt poking over after the initial clearance failed to stick.

Yet the visitors carried threat on the break. Xavier Jones burst through the middle and rounded Rory Watson, only for Griffiths to recover from nowhere with a superb saving tackle that drew an appreciative murmur from the home crowd.

Darlington continued to probe, Paddy McLaughlin firing over after another Tweedy cross, but the pattern was abruptly broken on 31 minutes. A straight ball through the middle released Cawley Cox and he slipped his finish past Watson to give Merthyr the lead against the run of play.

The remainder of the half followed a familiar script. Darlington pushed, Merthyr defended in numbers. Stanton’s free kick was blocked, Cogman punched clear under pressure from Maskell, and just before the interval McLaughlin sent Cedric Main racing clear, only for the striker to fire wide as the keeper advanced.

At half time Darlington trailed, despite having been the better side.

Merthyr had a chance to double their lead early in the second half when Twamley flashed a shot across the face of goal, but Darlington soon re established control. Corners came and went, Cogman punching one over his own bar, and Scott Barrow was introduced just before the hour as the pressure built.

The equaliser felt close, and almost arrived in chaotic fashion when a Merthyr defender headed towards his own goal, the ball scrambled off the line before Cogman fumbled the follow up, Main unable to force it home. Howells then dragged a left foot shot wide, while at the other end Twamley headed narrowly past the post as the game opened up.

Darlington’s response was immediate and forceful. Tweedy delivered a fine cross, Main’s header drawing a flying save from Cogman, and moments later the breakthrough finally came. Griffiths’ right wing free kick was flicked on and Maskell reacted quickest, poking the ball past the keeper to mark his return with a crucial goal.

With tails up, Darlington sensed the shift. Maskell nearly turned provider soon after, flicking on for Main whose shot grazed the crossbar. There was still danger, though, when Lee Lucas curled an effort that struck the angle of post and bar, a reminder that the contest was far from settled.

Aidan Rutledge was introduced late on and, fittingly, played the decisive role. Tom Allan picked up possession and fed Stanton, who drove at the defence before slipping the ball to Rutledge. His left foot finish beat the keeper and sent Blackwell Meadows into full voice.

Merthyr threw everyone forward in desperation, but the final act belonged to Darlington. A late free kick was cleared and Main, suddenly free, ran more than half the length of the pitch before tapping into an empty net deep into stoppage time.

It was a fitting end to an afternoon that demanded resilience as much as quality. Darlington showed both, and left the pitch with three points and renewed momentum as the season edges towards its defining stretch.

Darlington

  • 1 Watson
  • 4 Platt
  • 5 Lees
  • 6 Forbes
  • 9 Maskell
  • 10 Main
  • 18 Howells
  • 26 Griffiths
  • 27 Stanton
  • 29 McLaughlin
  • 37 Tweedy

Substitutes

  • 2 Hedley
  • 3 Barrow
  • 11 Allan
  • 13 McGrath
  • 14 Scott
  • 21 Barton
  • 25 Rutledge

Merthyr Town

No line-up added.