⚽ Matchday 3

Darlington 🆚 Fylde

📅 Tuesday, August 19^th , 7.45 pm

🏟️ Blackwell Meadows

Match Sponsor: Queen Street Shopping Centre

Matchball Sponsor: My Property Box

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

🔥 Match Preview

The Quakers look to continue their form from the weekend when they welcome newly-relegated AFC Fylde to Blackwell Meadows on Tuesday night.

Darlo come into this midweek fixture after their first win of the season away at Alfreton, where a brace from Will Hatfield and Ben Hedley’s first league goal for Darlington helped the Quakers walk away 3-0 winners.

Darlington’s opponents, Fylde come into the game after a 2-1 defeat away to Scarborough Athletic over the weekend but prior to that on opening day they were able to produce a comeback against Oxford City who were 2-0 up but a strong period in the second half and goals from Jonathan Ustabasi and Danny Mayor helped them come out 3-2 winners.

To prepare for the new season, The Coasters got tests against League One Blackpool and National League Carlisle United, as well as an impressive 7-1 win against Bamber Bridge.

Fylde are now managed by former Curzon Ashton player/manager Craig Mahon, who made the switch at the start of the summer and is someone who knows this level of football well.

The last time the two clubs met was on 11^th March 2023, when a brace from Andrew Nelson wasn’t enough to stop Fylde from coming back into the game and winning 3-2. It was Nelson's first start after a long term injury, and when he scored his first goal, he ran across to the dugout and hugged physio Danny O'Connor.

Darlington midfielder Will Hatfield will be playing against his previous club.

📰 Team News

Alfie Myers-Smith is out with a knee injury.

Matty Cornish and Kallum Griffiths are both close to full fitness.

New signings Dan Hopper and Tye Barton are both included in the squad and could make their home debuts.

👤 Player Spotlight

Danny Mayor has been the early shining light for The Coasters, coming on as a substitute in both games, scoring the winner against Oxford City and a goal against Scarborough in a 2-1 defeat against The Seadogs.

Over the Summer,  they acquired experienced football league midfielder Chris Merrie on a transfer from Tranmere Rovers of League 2. He will be a presence in the middle of the pitch for Fylde, already bagging an assist in the opening fixture against Oxford City.

📈 Recent results

🏁 Darlington

• 16^th August 2025: Alfreton 0 Darlington 3 (Hatfield x2, Hedley)
• https://youtu.be/LSN0wBJbKIY?si=2ynl7w_eTO7vM58y
• 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

🔴 Fylde

• 16^th August 2025: Scarborough 2-1 Fylde (Mayor)
• 9^th August 2025: Fylde 3(Ustabasi, O.G, Mayor) Oxford City 2
• 2^nd August 2025 pre-season: Lancaster City 2-1 Fylde (Jolley)
• 26^th July 2025 pre-season: Fylde 0-0 Morecambe
• 22^nd July 2025 pre-season: Bamber Bridge 1-7 Fylde (Jolley x2, Taylor, McFayden, Trialist D, Trialist F, Ormerod)

📊 League Records

🏁 Darlington

• Position: 7^th
• Played: 2
• Wins: 1
• Draws: 0
• Losses: 1
• Goals For: 5
• Goals Against: 3
• Goal Difference: 2
• Top Scorer: Hatfield (3)
• Points: 3

🔴 Fylde

• Position: 9^th
• Played: 2
• Wins: 1
• Draws: 0
• Losses: 1
• Goals For: 4
• Goals Against: 4
• Goal Difference: 0
• Top Scorer: Mayor (2)
• Points: 3

🤝 Recent Games Between the Two

• 11^th March 2023: Fylde 3-2 Darlington (Nelson x2)
• https://youtu.be/PSXD3etnA70?si=ysav1s29X1odfxiA
• 12^th November 2022: Darlington 1(Hazel) Fylde 2
• https://youtu.be/JCQzjIRM_3c?si=CalfPd8lLRvFDsv7
• 22^nd February 2022: Fylde 1-2 Darlington (Dos Santos, Lawlor)
• https://youtu.be/rbx03L5PN3Q?si=okTIV2dWfwAUg05j
• 11^th December 2021: Darlington 1(Charman) Fylde 0
• https://youtu.be/RoLf342A6Z4?si=I45Kh3UvqpZmgkX4
• 6^th October 2020: Fylde 1-0 Darlington

🔗 Advice on conduct

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/darlington-v-afc-fylde-advice-about-behaviour

📻 Follow the Game

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