⚽ PRE-SEASON MATCHDAY 7

DARLINGTON 🆚 GATESHEAD

📅 Saturday, August 2^nd , 3 pm

🏟️ Blackwell Meadows

🎟 Admission Prices

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

📝Match Preview

Darlo look to finish pre-season undefeated as they play their final game before the regular season, when they welcome former Darlo manager Alun Armstrong’s Gateshead.

The Quakers come into this game after a 4-1 win against Dunston on Tuesday night, when goals from Toby Lees, Jack Maskell, U23’s Jack Mortimer and an own goal helped cap off a strong second-half performance by Steve Watson’s men.

Darlington’s opponents, Gateshead, will be a great test to end pre-season on, as they are a tough and experienced National League club, the same as Altrincham last Saturday.

The Heed ended last season one point off the National League playoffs in 8th place, and after some good summer additions to the team, they’ll look to push into those playoff spots this season.

So far this pre-season, Gateshead have played seven games with five wins, including a 3-1 win in their previous pre-season game against Spennymoor Town.

The Quakers squad holds a whole host of former Heed players, including Kallum Griffiths, Scott Barrow, Elliot Forbes, Toby Lees, Tom Allan and Aidan Rutledge, with the latter two joining from Gateshead this summer.

Meanwhile, Pete Jameson and Will McGowan are both on season-long loans from Gateshead.

👤 Player Spotlight

After a successful loan spell with The Quakers last season, Will Flint has been sent on loan to Gateshead this season. His breaking up of play and midfield excellence, which was seen at Blackwell Meadows last year, will be a tough challenge for his former teammates. He scored his first goal on Tuesday night in a 3-1 victory against Spennymoor.

One of their recent signings is former EFL striker Dom Telford. His last club was League 2 side Barrow, where he struggled to find form, but he is a striker who will cause trouble for defences. He also scored his first goal for the club against Spennymoor.

📰 Team News

Tom Platt and Matty Cornish are both struggling with injuries, new signing Alfie Myers-Smith is ruled out

🤝 RECENT GAMES BETWEEN THE TWO

• 18^th April 2022: Gateshead 4-2 Darlington (Lowe, Lambert)
• https://youtu.be/Lvs-0DjvNZU?si=cVIOaAFwXckhY82T
• 28^th December 2021: Darlington 1 (Charman) Gateshead 3
• https://youtu.be/JCbsvY9S6VI?si=795Btxzu34b3cWSw
• 7^th August 2019: Darlington 1 (Liddle) Gateshead 1
• https://youtu.be/5U-LBlLY9FQ?si=crKpL1nxr18tFMeN
• 26^th July 2017: Gateshead 1-1 Darlington (Syers)
• https://youtu.be/fM2zhwNL-zQ?si=uXB0AlhOML4LrJIM
• 22^nd July 2016: Gateshead 2-0 Darlington

🤝 PRE-SEASON FORM

🏁 Darlington

• 12^th July 2025: Blyth Spartans 1-2 Darlington (Kirokiro, Giraud)
• 15^th July 2025: Darlington 2(OG, Maskell) Sunderland U21s 1
• 19^th July 2025: Stockton Town 1-4 Darlington (Main, Rutledge x2, Hatfield)
• 22^nd July 2025: Newton Aycliffe 1-3 Darlington (Main x2, Allan)
• 26^th July 2025: Darlington 3(Hatfield, Main, Forbes) Altrincham 1
• 29^th July 2025: Dunston UTS 1-4 Darlington (Lees, Maskell, Mortimer, OG)

🔲 GATESHEAD

• 8^th July 2025: Hebburn Town 0-4 Gateshead (Richardson, Nouble, Lowery, Sheaf)
• 12^th July 2025: Gateshead 2(Trialist, John) Sunderland 2
• 15^th July 2025: Doncaster Rovers 7-0 Gateshead
• 19^th July 2025: Blyth Town 0-1 Gateshead (Adom)
• 22^nd July 2025: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Gateshead (Bone, Adore)
• 26^th July 2025: Dunston 0-1 Gateshead (Adom)
• 29^th July 2025: Spennymoor 1-3 Gateshead (Flint, Telford, Bone)

📻 Follow the Game

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