Darlo look to bring strong January form into February

⚽ matchday 29

Southport 🆚 Darlington

📅 Saturday, February 7th, 3 pm

🏟️ Haig Avenue

🎟  https://southportfc.ktckts.com/event/sfc2526h16/southport-fc-v-darlington

🔥 Match Preview

The Quakers are back on the road aiming to break another long-time record when they travel to Southport looking for their first win at Haig Avenue since 1970.

Darlo come into this game after a massive 3-1 win against Merthyr Town, thanks to goals from all three strikers, Jack Maskell, Aidan Rutledge and Cedric Main,  to gain revenge after the 3-1 loss down at Merthyr in November. They are now unbeaten in four matches in 2026.

On the road this season, The Quakers have been very strong and are 5th in the away form table with seven wins and two draws in 14 games, with 23 goals scored and 22 conceded, which has gained 23 points from a potential 42.

Darlington’s opponents, Southport, are just outside the relegation zone in 20th place, but come into this game after a good result in the FA Trophy and a win against Merthyr Town in recent games.

Last time out for Southport was a 2-0 loss away to King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday night.

At Haig Avenue this season, The Sandgrounders haven’t had the best of times and are 20th in the home form table with three wins and seven draws in 14 games with 20 goals scored and 20 goals conceded for a total of 16 points from a possible 42.

The last time the two teams met was back in October, when the Quakers welcomed Southport to Blackwell Meadows with two goals in the first 12 minutes, including a debut goal for Max Howells. The last meeting at Haig Avenue was in February last year, where both teams settled for a point in a 0-0 draw.

 

📰TEAM NEWS

Alfie Myers-Smith has returned from his loan at Shildon and is available for selection.

Will Maddison’s loan at Crook Town has been extended.

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

Matty Cornish is out with a hamstring injury.

Will McGowan -- who scored twice for Quakers against Southport in 2024 --  is hoping to return after injury

 

 

👤 Player Spotlight

Jordan Slew has been one of the main components in the turnaround that Southport have had recently. With six goals and two assists this season, he has popped up with some key goals, including a last-minute goal against Bedford Town in a 3-2 victory.

They also have midfielder Teddy Lavelle, who is a player who likes to get stuck in and break up play. The 6’2 20-year-old can play as a central midfielder and also a defensive midfielder. He has popped up with a couple of goals this season. He scored their important goal last Saturday that secured their progression in the FA Trophy, defeating AFC Fylde

Earlier in the week, they signed centre back Matty Williams, formerly of Chester.

They extended Chris Sze’s loan to the end of the season

Their squad also features former Quaker Jim Simms.

📈 Recent results

🏁 Darlington

 

🟡Southport

  • 3rd February 2026: King’s Lynn 2-0 Southport
  • 31st January 2026 FA Trophy 5R: Fylde 0-1 Southport (Lavelle)
  • 24th January 2026: Southport 1 (McKenzie) Merthyr Town 0
  • 20th January 2026: South Shields1 Southport 0
  • 17th January 2026: Bedford 2-3 Southport (Sze, Gnahoua, Slew)

 

 

📊 League Records

🏁 Darlington

  • Position: 6th
  • Played: 28
  • Wins: 13
  • Draws: 7
  • Losses: 8            
  • Goals For: 54
  • Goals Against: 43
  • Goal Difference: 11
  • Top Scorer: Main (10)
  • Points: 46

AWAY FORM:

  • Position: 5th
  • Played: 14
  • Wins: 7
  • Draws: 2
  • Losses: 5
  • Goals For: 23
  • Goals Against: 22
  • Points: 23

🟡sOUTHPORT

  • Position: 20th
  • Played: 29
  • Wins: 7
  • Draw: 9
  • Losses: 13
  • Goals For: 35
  • Goals Against: 47
  • Goal Difference: -12
  • Top Scorer: Gnahoua (6)
  • Points: 30

HOME FORM:

  • Position: 20th
  • Played: 14
  • Wins: 3
  • Draws: 7
  • Losses: 4
  • Goals For: 20
  • Goals Against: 20
  • Points: 16

 

🤝 Recent Games between the clubs

 

🔗 Advice on conduct

 https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/southport-v-darlington-advice-to-fans-1

📻 Follow the Game

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