⚽ Matchday 2

Alfreton Town 🆚 Darlington

📅 Saturday, August 16^th , 3 pm

🏟️ Impact Arena Stadium

🎟  https://ticketpass.org/event/ETNSWG/alfreton-town-fc-v-darlington-fc-3

🔥 Match Preview

Darlington look to right the wrongs of opening day as they travel down to the Impact Arena Stadium to take on Alfreton.

The Quakers come into their first away game of the season after losing on matchday one to Chorley, when goals from Cedric Main and Will Hatfield weren’t enough to beat the 10-man Magpies.

Alfreton travelled away last Saturday to league newcomers Bedford Town, where a last-minute equaliser from Tyrone Marsh for Bedford meant both teams shared the points.

Billy Heath’s Reds came into the season well tested in their pre-season after games against football league opposition in Notts County, Stoke City, Burton Albion, Chesterfield and Doncaster Rovers, as well as recently promoted Scunthorpe United, to prepare for the 25/26 season.

The Reds have been able to keep a majority of their squad, as well as adding new faces such as forward Siyabonga Ligendza, who joined as a free transfer after previously being at Eastbourne Borough, and has already opened his tally in the league. Alfreton have also added some new bodies to their defence with the signings of Jack Leckie and Mert Apat, who both stand at 6ft 6in.

The last time the two sides met, Alfreton took an early lead with Lewis Salmon finding the back of the net, but the Quakers equalised when Matty Cornish came off the bench and found the bottom right corner in the 87th minute to make sure Darlo left the game with something.

📰 Team News

Josh Scott has received International clearance and is available for selection

Alfie Myers-Smith is out with a knee injury

Matty Cornish and Kallum Griffiths are both still out because of injury, but hopefully will be back soon.

Tom Platt is hoping to return to the squad.

👤 Player Spotlight

Former Darlo loanee Nathan Newall spent last season at The Impact Arena. He joined the club on loan from Sunderland in the 2022/23 season and made 16 appearances at left back, scoring his only goal in a 2-2 draw vs Bradford Park Avenue.

As previously mentioned, Alfreton have signed striker Siyabonga Ligendza, the attacker has featured for AFC Fylde and most recently Eastbourne Borough. He opened his account on Saturday against Bedford Town.

📈 Recent results

🏁 Darlington

• 9^th August 2025: Darlington 2(Main, Hatfield) Chorley 3
• https://youtu.be/N345HKeNfl4?si=0yUNjjscF7QH9P_c
• 2^nd August 2025 pre-season: Darlington 2 (Allan, Main) Gateshead 3
• 29^th July 2025 pre-season: Dunston 1-4 Darlington (Lees, Maskell, OG, Mortimer)
• 26^th July 2025 pre-season: Darlington 3(Hatfield, Main, Forbes) Altrincham 1
• 22^nd July 2025 pre-season: Newton Aycliffe 1-3 Darlington (Main x2, Allan)

🔴 Alfreton

• 9^th August 2025: Bedford Town 2-2 Alfreton (Fewster, Ligendza)
• 2^nd August 2025 pre-season: Alfreton 1(Ligendza) Quorn FC 1
• 25^th July 2025 pre-season: Alfreton 2(McDonagh x2) Stoke City 1
• 19^th July 2025: pre-season Alfreton 1(Fewster) Chesterfield 1
• 15^th July 2025 pre-season: Alfreton 1(Trialist) Scunthorpe 2

📊 League Records

🏁 Darlington

• Position: 16^th  
• Played: 1
• Wins: 0
• Draws: 0
• Losses: 1
• Goals For: 2
• Goals Against: 3
• Goal Difference: -1
• Points: 0

🔴 Alfreton

• Position: 10^th
• Played: 1
• Wins: 0
• Draws: 1
• Losses: 0
• Goals For: 2
• Goals Against:  2
• Goal Difference: 0
• Points: 1

🤝 Recent Games Between the Two

• 18^th March 2025: Alfreton 1-1 Darlington (Cornish)
• https://youtu.be/qPo6G76ZzWc?si=07Gs03yvFpwJOs_b
• 3^rd September 2024: Darlington 0-0 Alfreton
• https://youtu.be/_iz2Hn6q-fs?si=5Mu9F1lcdc0kdIQL
• 10^th February 2024: Darlington 0-2 Alfreton (McDonagh, Day)
• https://youtu.be/Z_2lP1Ge73w?si=OrGssaUJtSwLQTyn
• 26^th August 2023: Alfreton 2-3 Darlington (Nelson, Barnes x2)
• https://youtu.be/Rsxxv_Bcan8?si=2a8WSLKTKTCH68EQ
• 4^th March 2023: Alfreton 2-2 Darlington (Hazel, Felix)
• https://youtu.be/OdGgcuZvd1M?si=Vzf386DSGdfK1HcL

 🔗 Advice on conduct

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/alfreton-v-darlington-advice-to-fans-3

📻 Follow the Game

You can follow the game on Darlo Fans Radio, X, and the official website.