AFC Fylde v Darlington
Saturday 1st April, 2017, k/o 3pm
Mill Farm
Vanarama National League North
Six games and less than a month until the end of the season … anyone getting a little excited??
The Coasters return to Mill Farm on Saturday as promotion-chasing Darlington ride into town.
Fylde suffered their first defeat in eight games at Nuneaton Town at the weekend and will be desperate to bounce back against a side hoping to strengthen their place in the play-offs.
Dave Challinor’s side saw their lead at the top of the National League North cut to six points following Kidderminster Harriers last-minute winner against Harrogate Town.
The second-placed Harriers host third-placed FC Halifax Town this weekend as four of the top five teams go head-to-head.
Saturday’s opponents Darlington have been enjoying a fine run and currently lead the form table over the last five games with 11 points from a possible 15.
A last-gasp strike at the weekend earned a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gainsborough Trinity, before a solitary goal saw off Bradford Park Avenue in midweek.
The Quakers are now one point ahead of Stockport County, who currently sit one place outside the play-off positions. Darlo frontman Mark Beck leads their goalscoring charts with 15 goals.
Fylde are now five short of reaching 100 league goals for the season with six games to play. Danny Rowe has 40 of those 95 and is still just three away from equalling the league record.
The Coasters and Darlington played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the season. Rowe opening the scoring midway through the first half, but Challinor’s side were pegged back on the stroke of half-time when Josh Gillies slotted home.
Team news:
Defenders Josh Langley, Steve Williams and Dom Collins all returned to training this week, whilst midfielder David Morgan joined in today. James Hardy is pushing for a starting spot after completing 45 minutes last time out at Nuneaton. New boy Kieran Kennedy featured for the development squad earlier in the week and will be hoping to be involved.
NLN fixtures:
Tomorrow
AFC Fylde v Darlington
AFC Telford United v Worcester City
Alfreton Town v Bradford Park Avenue
Brackley Town v Boston United
Chorley v Gainsborough Trinity
Curzon Ashton v Gloucester City
FC United of Manchester v Stalybridge Celtic
Kidderminster Harriers v FC Halifax Town
Salford City v Altrincham
Stockport County v Nuneaton Town
Tamworth v Harrogate Town
Recent form:
AFC Fylde: L-D-D-W-D
Last result: Nuneaton Town 4-1 AFC Fylde
League position: 1st
Darlington: W-D-W-W-D
Last result: Darlington 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue
League position: 5th
Admission:
Seating: £15
Standing: £12, Under 16s FREE (with membership)
