Darlington take on Hartlepool for the first time in over eleven years when the rivals meet in the Durham Challenge Cup at Blackwell Meadows tonight.

Not since March 2007 when Pools won 3-0 at the Arena, have the two sides met, and the anticipation of a renewal of the rivalry will be watched by a crowd near the 1,700 mark tonight.

Darlington manager Tommy Wright will choose from a close to full squad, but Williams Kokolo won’t be able to play because he has already played for Sunderland, while Fleetwood have granted permission for Harvey Saunders to play. Harvey played for Darlington RA in the Durham Challenge Cup three seasons ago. Teenager Sanny Lingthep has been added to the Darlington squad.

Quakers have beaten Esh Winning 3-1 and Stockton Town 4-0 to reach this stage, while Hartlepool have beaten Ryton and Crawcrook 3-1 and Sunderland West End 2-1.

The turnstiles for tonight’s game will open at 6.15, with kick off at 730pm. On police advice, there will be no tickets on sale today, and there will be no cash turnstiles. You can follow the game instead on Darlo Fans Radio, the club’s Twitter and official website.

There will be no alcohol on sale in the downstairs bar, which will be open as usual.

There will be an 8 page souvenir programme on sale tonight, price £1.

The Police have instructed Darlington and Hartlepool United to make their supporters aware of the following important advice.

• Access will not be allowed into the stadium or the surrounding areas if you do not have a match ticket. There will be no cash admission.

Please be prepared to show your ticket to a police officer and/or steward if requested prior to entry to the stadium. ID may be requested in the same name as the ticket.

• Police drone surveillance will be in operation around and inside the stadium.
• Darlington season ticket holders must have their season ticket with them and be prepared to produce it if necessary.
• Searches will be carried out before entry to the stadium. Please note that alcohol, drugs and any form of pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited.

Darlington FC would also like to state the following:

• The club, working with the police, would like to state that any fan involved in any kind of inappropriate behaviour will face a lifetime ban from Darlington FC home games. The club will not tolerate any disruption of any kind – we have excluded several fans since the Spennymoor game. We are sure that all fans agree that the game is to be welcomed and enjoyed, and not an opportunity to cause trouble.
• After consultation with Darlington Police there will be NO alcoholic drinks served in the Thomas Watson Bar, however there will be soft drinks, teas and coffees and concession food. 
• Please do not park in the grounds of the Blackwell Grange Hotel -- any unauthorised cars parked in the hotel's grounds will be clamped.