M26 awaits for Bernard and Jonno’s men as Radcliffe look to continue their five-game unbeaten streak with the visit of Darlington to the Neuven Stadium for the first time in ten years.

The Opposition

Darlington have made a better start to the 2024/25 season than they did in the previous campaign. In the opening 18 matches of the 2023/24 season, the Quakers picked up just 14 points, whilst conceding 41 goals and scoring just 15. After Steve Watson came in and ensured the side remained in the division, the former Newcastle player ensured that the next season was an improvement.

This campaign has seen Saturday’s opponents’ defensive record improve dramatically, with Darlington averaging just one goal conceded per game, partly due to the additions of Toby Lees, Will Flint and the permanent signing of Scott Barrow following an excellent loan spell last season.

However, the attack has struggled to produce goals so far this campaign, either through poor chance creation or coming up against in-form goalkeepers. Whilst conceding the seventh least amount of goals, their forward line has scored less than nineteen other sides in the division.

Darlington enter Saturday’s match having picked up eight points from their last five league matches, with a 0-0 draw against Scunthorpe the most recent result coming on Tuesday night.

Ones to Watch

Cedric Main is one of Darlington’s biggest threats to Mateusz Hewelt’s defence on Saturday. The forward has transformed the Quakers’ attack when he’s on the field, with his hold up play and strength able to disrupt defenders, in doing so creating ample space for his teammates. The 27-year-old is also Darlington’s joint top scorer in the National League North so far this campaign, having registered three goals in eleven appearances.

Pete Jamerson has been a key man for Darlington this season, having made crucial saves in numerous matches. The shot stopper has conceded just 18 goals this campaign, the seventh lowest amount in the division, and has been credited for keeping the Durham based side in games at times throughout the season.

Stat Pack

20th – League Position – 15th
18 – Games Played – 18
18 – Points – 23
4 – Wins – 5
6 – Draws – 8
8 – Losses – 8
22 – Goals For – 18
31 – Goals Against – 18
Hancock, Roscoe (5) – Top Goalscorer – Main, Nelson (3)

Last Time Out

The two sides last met in the Evo-Stick Division One North on the 20th of December 2014. The match was held at Heritage Park and ended in a 2-2 draw.

Sam Cook and Rick Smith scored for Radcliffe, both inside the first 20 minutes of the match. Cook found himself open in the penalty area and rolled the ball under the legs of the Pete Jamerson. Smith added a second as Darlington failed to clear the Boro’s free kick, with the defender able to head home.

Darlington halved the deficit through Graeme Armstrong who nodded Jordan Robinson’s free kick into the back of the net. Radcliffe almost added a third, but it was the Quakers who were able to find the net as Armstrong dispatched from close range.

Matchday Information

Date: 30/11/24
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium

Adult: £15
Concession: £10
U16: Free

Tickets can be purchased online here!

Can’t Attend The Game?

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Around the Grounds

Chorley vs Curzon Ashton
Hereford vs Rushall Olympic
Kidderminster Harriers vs Leamington
Needham Market v Scarborough Athletic
Oxford City vs Farsley Celtic
Scunthorpe United vs Alfreton Town
South Shields vs Peterborough Sports
Southport vs Marine
Spennymoor Town vs Buxton
Warrington Town vs Chester