Darlo look to start the new year with a win

⚽ matchday 25

darlington 🆚 Alfreton

📅 Saturday, January 17th, 3pm

Matchball Sponsor: Blackwell Grange Hotel

🏟️ Blackwell Meadows

🎟  https://yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/match-tickets

 

🔥 Match Preview

The Quakers look to finally start the new year after two back-to-back postponed games when they welcome Alfreton to Blackwell Meadows on Saturday.

The last time Darlo were in action was the end of December against top of the league South Shields, when the Quakers gave a good account of themselves but would ultimately lose 2-1 to a strong side.

At home this season, the Quakers have won four and drawn five in 12 games, which puts them 14th in the home form table with 25 goals scored and 19 conceded for a total of 17 points from a possible 36.

Darlington’s opponents, Alfreton, have had a tough season and are currently 22nd in the league after 23 games played with five wins and seven draws with 19 goals scored and 42 conceded for a total of 22 points.

When away from home, the Reds have had a tough time with only one win in 12 away fixtures, with nine goals scored, and 29 goals conceded for a total of seven points from a possible 36.

The two teams have met already this season when the Quakers travelled to the Impact Arena, where Will Hatfield scored early in the second half. Ben Hedley scored a fantastic strike with his left foot before Will Hatfield finished the game with a world-class volley to get his brace and to finish the game as a 3-0 win for Darlo.

 

📰 Team News

Alfie Myers-Smith is on loan at Shildon till the end of January.

Will Maddison is on loan at Crook until the end of January

Will Hatfield is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

Jack Maskell is out with a shin injury but is steadily regaining fitness

Scott Barrow is doubtful with a knee injury

Max Howells is staying on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the season.

 

👤 Player Spotlight

Billy Fewster has been one of Alfreton's main men this season as they look to fight for survival. The 22-year-old has scored four goals and got himself one assist this season, and is a player who likes to get himself in the action in a combative Alfreton side.

Lewis Salmon is an attacking threat off the left, looking to always create chances with 4 assists from the left this season.

They include Nathan Newell, who was on loan to us from Sunderland three seasons ago.

Former Darlington striker Mark Beck was on loan to them, but Scunthorpe recalled him and loaned him to Gateshead

 

📈 Recent results

🏁 Darlington

 

🔴Alfreton

  • 30th December 2025: Alfreton 2 (Beck, Salmon) Leamington 1
  • 26th December 2025: Worksop 1-0 Alfreton
  • 16th December 2025: Alfreton 1 (Hunt) Southport 1
  • 13th December 2025 FA Trophy 3R: Alvechurch 2-2 Alfreton (Beck, McCann) (Alfreton lost 3-2 on pens)
  • 6th December 2025: Curzon Ashton 2-1 Alfreton (McCann)

 

📊 League Records

🏁 Darlington

  • Position: 7th
  • Played: 24
  • Wins: 10
  • Draws: 6
  • Losses: 8
  • Goals For: 45
  • Goals Against: 39
  • Goal Difference: 6
  • Top Scorer: Maskell (8)
  • Points: 36

HOME FORM:

  • Position: 14th
  • Played: 12
  • Wins: 4
  • Draws: 5
  • Losses: 3
  • Goals For: 25
  • Goals Against: 19
  • Points: 17

🔴Alfreton

  • Position: 22nd
  • Played: 23
  • Wins: 5
  • Draw: 7
  • Losses: 11
  • Goals For: 19
  • Goals Against: 42
  • Goal Difference: -23
  • Top Scorer: Fewster (4)
  • Points: 22

AWAY FORM:

  • Position: 22nd
  • Played: 12
  • Wins: 1
  • Draws: 4
  • Losses: 7
  • Goals For: 9
  • Goals Against: 29
  • Points: 7

 

🤝 Recent Games between the clubs

  • 16th August 2025: Alfreton 0-3 Darlington (Hatfield x2, Hedley)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSN0wBJbKIY
  • 18th March 2025: Alfreton 1-1 Darlington (Cornish)
  • 3rd September 2024: Darlington 0-0 Alfreton
  • 10th February 2024: Darlington 0-2 Alfreton
  • 26th August 2023: Alfreton 2-3 Darlington (Nelson, Barnes)

 

🔗 Advice on conduct

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

 

📻 Follow the Game

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