Preview: Darlington (A)
Calum McIntyre’s side travel to Darlington on Saturday with a chance to build on last weekend’s FA Cup Second Qualifying Round success over Stalybridge Celtic.
The Blues’ most recent league action saw a 1-1 home draw with high-flying Scarborough Athletic, as Dylan Mottley-Henry cancelled out Rio Allan’s early strike with a stoppage time header.
Our last victory at Blackwell Meadows came in April 2023 during our 21-match unbeaten run on the road.
Success came courtesy of moments from midfielder partners Declan Weeks and Elliott Whitehouse, who netted either side of half-time to claim all three points.
The Opposition
The Quakers have endured a mixed start to their campaign and sit with an identical record to the Blues after eight games, with two wins, three draws and three defeats to their name.
Both successes have come away from Blackwell Meadows for Steve Watson’s side, as a 3-0 win at Alfreton Town in mid-August was backed up by a 4-1 victory on the road at Marine at the start of September.
A second-half fightback earned progression from the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round last Saturday, as Darlington turned a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 lead during a manic nine-minute spell against Bootle.
Will McGowan grabbed a brace with goals in the 67th and 73rd minute before ex-Gateshead forward Tom Allan rounded off the scoring and made the result safe just three minutes later.
The Gaffer
Ex-Chester boss Steve Watson has been at the helm at Blackwell Meadows since December 2023.
His initial task was to protect the club’s National League North status, with Darlington heavily involved in a relegation fight at the time of his appointment.
The 51-year-old led the Quakers to safety by the end of the season, finishing the 2023/24 campaign in 16th, with a six-point buffer above the drop zone.
A play-off push in the following season didn’t materialise for the club, who ended last term in 11th, eight points behind seventh-placed Buxton.
In his playing days, Watson’s most notable stint came with Newcastle United, whom he featured on over 200 occasions for between 1990-98.
He then plied his trade for Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, before retirement in 2009 whilst at Sheffield Wednesday.
One To Watch
Promising forward Jack Maskell has led the line in superb fashion over recent weeks, with a record of four goals in his last three league matches.
The 21-year-old bagged a brace in the aforementioned 4-1 success over Marine on Merseyside, as the Quakers scored three in the opening 33 minutes to take control of the contest.
Maskell’s most recent finish earned a point at home against Hereford, a result that preserved Darlington’s position above the Bulls in the National League North table.
The striker first caught the eye of higher league opposition when he picked up the Northern League Division Two Young Player of the Season award whilst playing for Horden CW in the 2022/23 season.
These performances earned Maskell a move to Dunston UTS, where he scored 26 goals in 36 NPL East Division outings, including a hat-trick in the play-off final against Stockton Town.
League Form Guide
Darlington FC | W2 D3 L3 | F15 A13 | Pos: 15th
Last three
- Macclesfield (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Maskell
- Marine (A) | W 4-1 | Scorers: Allan, Maskell x2, McGowan
- Hereford (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Maskell
Chester FC | W2 D2 L3 | F10 A16 | Pos: 17th
Last three
- Worksop Town (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Rawlinson
- AFC Fylde (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: P. Jones x2
- Scarborough Athletic (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Mottley-Henry
MATCH DETAILS
Kick off at Blackwell Meadows will be at 15:00. The postcode for the ground is DL1 5NR.
The match will be segregated and Chester FC have received an allocation of both standing and seated tickets.
TICKET DETAILS
Away tickets can be purchased in advance by using the link below. Payment is also accepted on the day of the game via card/cash at the turnstiles.
CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!
Prices
- Adults (Aged 25–64) – £16
- Concessions (Senior 65+, Student, Registered Disabled, Young Adult 18–24) – £12
- Juniors (Under 18) – £6
- Children (Under 12, only when purchased with Adult/Concession ticket) – Free
- Seats – £2 extra
Away Turnstiles
Turnstiles will open at 13:30. Chester FC supporters will enter via the open-end turnstiles, located to the right of the clubhouse.
Car Parking
On-site parking is available at £5 per car, payable by cash, contactless, or pre-purchase online.
Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Purchasing in advance is recommended via Darlington’s ticketing portal.
Blue Badge bays must be booked in advance via the ticket portal.
Please allow extra time when exiting, as pedestrians share the car park exit route.
Disabled Access
Step-free entry is available at the away turnstiles. Accessible seating is available in the seated stand for Chester FC supporters. Accessible toilets are also provided, with stewards on hand to assist.
Facilities
As this is a segregated fixture, away supporters will not have access to the clubhouse. Catering and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available within the away section.
Information
Darlington FC has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of homophobic/racist/misogynistic or targeted abuse. Perpetrators identified will be ejected and details passed to Police and visiting club officials.
Blackwell Meadows is a no smoking/vaping ground and this will be strictly monitored, with ejection for none compliance.
Travel
By Car – From the M56 join the M6 Northbound at junction 9 before leaving for the M62 Eastbound at Exit 21A. Follow this until you reach the M1 at junction 29 which will take you further North before merging on to the A1(M). Leave the A1(M) at junction 57 for the A66(M) which leads into Darlington. Blackwell Meadows is located on the right-hand side of Grange Road.
By Train – Take a 39-minute Northern service from Chester to Newton-le-Willows. Here you can change to a TransPennine Express service to Darlington. This takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Blackwell Meadows is located 1.9 miles from Darlington Station. The 6A bus service takes around 23 minutes from St. Johns Crescent, located directly outside the station, to Blackwell Grange Hotel, located directly outside the ground.
We look forward to seeing you there, UTS!