VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Venue: Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NR
Date: Saturday 3rd February 2018
Kick Off: 3pm
SCORE UPDATES / MATCH COMMENTARY
ADMISSION
Adults: £14
Concessions: £10
TEAM NEWS
Blyth make the short trip to Darlington FC on Saturday looking to complete the double over the Quakers and get back to winning ways in the process.
Blyth went down 2-1 on Saturday as they left Boston United empty-handed. Dan Maguire had levelled for the Spartans after he tapped home from Ian Watson’s cross. Blyth had fallen behind when Ashley Hemmings had converted from the penalty spot to put the hosts ahead. However, Boston took all three points when Kabongo Tshimanga fired home with 7 minutes remaining.
Darlington will look to extend their unbeaten run to four games following their victory over Leamington last Saturday. Reece Styche was hauled down after 8 minutes and Steven Thompson stepped up to fire the Quakers ahead from the penalty spot. Callum Gittings equalised with his own penalty Edwards then nodded the hosts ahead before Thompson fired home on 73 minutes. Thompson then scored the winner in added time.
Darlington are languishing in 18th place at the moment but a victory could lift then as high as 14th. By contrast, the Spartans are clinging onto the last play-off spot but could go up a place with 3 points.
RECENT FORM
Darlington FC – LLDDW
Blyth Spartans – LDLLL
IN THE OPPOSITION DUGOUT
Tommy Wright – The former Nuneaton manager took over as boss in October 2017. As a player, Wright started his career at Leicester City before spells at Bradford and Blackpool. Wright has also had two spells as a player with the Quakers.
DANGER MAN
Reece Styche – A familiar face to Spartans fans as he ran the line for Tamworth earlier in the season and netted at Croft Park. He is on a good run of form with 6 goals in 8 appearances since joining from Tamworth earlier in the season.
LAST TIME WE MET
Saturday 28th October 2017 – Blyth Spartans 3 – 1 Darlington FC – Vanarama National League North.