Darlington vs AFC Fylde

Saturday 12th November, 2016, k/o 3pm

Heritage Park

Vanarama National League North

The battle of the top two! AFC Fylde travel to Darlington on Saturday for a mammoth National League North clash.  

The Coasters could go seven points clear of their title rivals with victory but will remain top of the table regardless of the result.

Dave Challinor’s side have enjoyed a fine week in front of goal, putting five past Stalybridge Celtic at the weekend before seeing off AFC Darwen 6-2 to progress to the last eight of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy.

Danny Rowe took his goal tally to 23 for the season with a hat-trick against Stalybridge, whilst 16-year old midfielder Serhat Tasdemir marked his debut with a first-half treble in the cup victory.

Darlington suffered a rare defeat at the weekend at the hands of Tamworth – the side that inflicted Fylde’s first defeat of the season – and will be hoping to bounce back.

The newly-promoted side have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season with eleven victories and just three defeats from their opening 17 games. 

Terry Galbraith and Mark Beck have been the dangermen for Darlington this term with 15 goals between them. The second-placed side have scored 44 league goals so far this term – a total only better by Fylde’s 49.

Fylde have seen some transfer activity this week with Danny Holmes joining York City, however his replacement was quickly identified with the loan signing of Blackpool youngster Macauley Wilson.

Team news:
Right-back Macauley Wilson will be hoping to make his Coasters debut, whilst youngster Serhat Tasdemir will be keen to follow up his stunning display in midweek with a call up to the first team squad. Caspar Hughes is an injury doubt.

NLN fixtures:
Saturday
Altrincham v Salford City
Boston United v Brackley Town
Bradford Park Avenue v Alfreton
Darlington v AFC Fylde
Halifax v Kidderminster
Gainsborough Trinity v Chorley
Gloucester City v Curzon Ashton
Harrogate Town v Tamworth
Nuneaton v Stockport
Stalybridge Celtic v FC United of Manchester
Worcester City v Telford

Recent form:
Darlington: L-W-W-W-D
Last league result: Tamworth 2-1 Darlington
League position: 2nd

AFC Fylde: W-L-W-W-D
Last league result: AFC Fylde 5-0 Stalybridge Celtic
League position: 1st

Admission:

Adults: £12
Concession: £8*
Ages 5-16: £4
Children Under 5: Free of charge

* Over 60’s as at 1 September 2016, full time students (student card required), registered disabled persons, armed forces personnel