Match Preview | Darlington FC v Blyth Spartans

Friday, 2 February 2018

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH

Venue: Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NR

Date: Saturday 3

rd

February 2018

Kick Off: 3pm

SCORE UPDATES / MATCH COMMENTARY

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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 18

th

place at the moment but a victory could lift then as high as 14

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. 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 28

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October 2017 - Blyth Spartans 3 - 1 Darlington FC - Vanarama National League North.