The Lions return to Nethermoor for our first Saturday home game in over two months with Darlington the visitors for a 3pm kick-off.
Match sponsored by: Syno Education | Match Ball sponsors: Damon Bull Construction Ltd
Segregation will be in place with Darlington fans allocated the JM Glendinning seated stand and uncovered Railway End of the ground with entry via turnstiles 5-8.
Tickets for home fans can be purchased online in advance here and for away fans here. It is recommended to purchase online in advance to reduce queuing on the day, tickets will also be on sale on the day at the turnstiles with payment by cash only, it is also cash payments only inside the ground for programmes, food and drink and 50/50 cash draw tickets.
The last time Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill’s men lined up for a Saturday home game was all the way back on 4th December when York City were the visitors to Nethermoor.
Unbeaten in the last three league fixtures at Nethermoor The Lions will be looking for back to back wins in LS20 after the 3-2 victory over Alfreton Town last night.
The squad has been boosted by the acquisition of Scott McLean on loan from Spennymoor Town and Andy Hollins returns from suspension after missing the trip to Southport on Saturday.
Dom Tear could be in line for his second home appearance and will be looking to add to his goal tally after a brace against Alfreton just over a week ago.
The Lions are still without long term injury absentees Kaine Felix, Shaun Tuton and Bailey Thompson but Andy Kellett could return after missing the last two fixtures.
Darlington name five familiar faces in their squad with Danny Ellis, Jake Lawlor, Will Hatfield, Alex Purver and Jake Cassidy all available for selection by The Quakers.
Hatfield captains the side who sit five places and seven points ahead of The Lions in 14th position, they have lost their last three on the spin with 1-0 defeats to Kettering and Kidderminster either side of a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of AFC Telford United.
Darlo did however win 6-0 on the road at Farsley in early January and last time out against The Lions they were 5-1 victors against a side heavily impacted by Covid-19 which saw several academy players make their senior debuts.
Speaking after the narrow loss at Southport Marcus Bignot said “The conditions were very difficult, high winds and a tough surface to play on against a team who are very much in form and played to the elements. We got challenged mentally and physically, they really do put you under pressure from set pieces and long throws but I thought we stood up to it very well. To come in at 1-1 at half-time was excellent, I wanted us to kick on in the second half but we wasted opportunities with decision making.”
“Overall I don’t think it was a performance which deserved a loss, we are really disappointed in the dressing room as I thought we were very worthy of a draw. We have just come on the wrong side of a result in a cruel way, it is disappointing to lose that one as looking back we shouldn’t have.”
New signing Scott McLean marked his debut with a goal and Bignot said “There is a boy there who has got talent, you saw glimpses of his ability, his goal is what he is about. He is technically very, very good and that is what we have been short on in some areas but that is where you need to find the right balance. All the players we have brought in have come in and done well.”
Looking at Darlington Marcus said “We were just on the wrong side of the result both today and the Fylde game but on the right side against Alfreton, we are getting that consistency but we know there are small details we need to be better at.”
Dom Tear recently joined the club and has settled in well “I have come in and really enjoyed it, I get on with the lads really well. It is more about the team, there is some good talent in there and we shouldn’t be where we are in the table we play some really good football. I am glad to contribute with goals and assists but it is all about getting those three points on the board.”
Reflecting on the defeat at Southport Tear said “Their second goal wasn’t good enough from us, we all know that. I thought we were on top for 45 minutes and then just one mistake, which Owen holds his hands up for, he will learn from it, he is a young lad and a good keeper.”
Speaking about his preferred position the Huddersfield Town academy graduate said “I see myself as a number 10 really, I was a winger growing up but used to come inside a lot. In this system which we play here I am a number 10, I like to get on the ball and drive at players and also run in behind and create some opportunities and score goals. I work as hard as I can off the ball and make sure I am hard in the tackle.”
Tickets for the game with Alfreton Town can be purchased at the turnstiles on the night with cash payment only or online in advance here for home fans and here for away fans. Don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme for just £3, it is packed full with exclusive content with what you will find inside here.
