On Friday night we host Harrogate Town at Blackwell Meadows in our first ever FA Trophy game at the ground (writes Simon Hahn)

It is fair to say since our FA Trophy win in 2011 we have not had much success in the competition. In the last two years we have fallen to Marine and Sutton Coldfield.

We do not have an easy task this year if we are to pick up a victory in the competition, but in new manager Tommy Wright we have a man who played in the win at Wembley in 2011.

Harrogate travel to the North East in fine form sitting second in the National North at the moment, having gone full time in the summer.

In the league they have only lost once away from home so far, a 3-1 defeat at Spennymoor, and they include three former Darlington players in their squad, Mark Beck, Josh Falkingham and Ben Parker.

The two games we had last season were split a win a piece. Away from home we won 4-1 on a memorable day, before losing 3-2 at Blackwell Meadows.

Watch the 4-1 away win here:

http://darlingtonfc.co.uk/27423-2/

We are set to meet in the league over the Christmas period on Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Kick off on Friday is 7:45pm, updates on the game will be made from the club’s Facebook, Twitter and Website. Live Commentary will be broadcast from Darlo Fans Radio at 7:35pm which is kindly sponsored by Tempest Jones

Quakers last five matches:

18/11/2017 Tamworth (h) lost 0-1

Darlington: Wilczynski, Trotman, Galbraith, Wheatley, Collins, Brown, Mills, Syers, Caton, Gillies (sub Saunders 78), Thompson

Subs not used: Scott, Bancroft, Portas, Heaton

11/11/2017 Kidderminster (a) drew 3-3 (og, Galbraith, Syers)

Wilczynski, Collins, Brown, Heaton, Galbraith, Portas (sub Gillies 61),  Turnbull, Wheatley, Thompson (sub Caton 61), Cartman (sub Syers 79), Saunders

Subs: Marrs, Scott,

4/11/2017 Brackley (H) lost 0-3

Bartlett, Marrs, Scott, Turnbull, Collins (sub Burgess 65), Galbraith, Thompson, Portas, Caton, Cartman (sub Saunders 80), Gillies (sub Wheatley 68)

Subs: Wilczynski, Syers

28/10/2017 Blyth (A) lost 1-3 Syers

21/10/2017 Bradford PA (H) won 2-1

Leading scorer: Josh Gillies 5

Team news:

Reece Styche will make his debut after signing from Tamworth last week.

Centre half Josh Heaton is cuptied having played for Ramsbottom in the competition already.

Phil Turnbull returns after suspension

Chris Hunter is out with an ankle injury – he will have an operation later this month.

Current league position: 14th

Home form: played 10, won 4, drawn 3, lost 3

Last season in the Trophy: 3Q lost to Marine in a replay

Harrogate Town:

Harrogate’s last five matches:

18/11/2017 Boston (home) won 3-1

Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Fallowfield (Vann 45), O’Hanlon, Falkingham, Kennedy, Burrell, Thomson, Emmett (Curry 53), Thewlis, Agnew, Leesley

Subs not used: Cracknell, Gooda

Goals: Leesley 6 (p), Thomson 38, Thewlis 58

11/11/2017 Spennymoor (away) lost 1-3

28/10/2017 Alfreton (away) won 2-1

24/10/2017 Bradford PA (home) drew 1-1

21/10/2017 Leamington (home) drew 2-2

Current league position: 2^nd

Away form: Played 9 won 7 drawn 1 lost 1

Leading scorer: Joe Leesley 10

Last season: 3Q Salford City (home) 2-2 (a) 3-0

1r Barrow (home) 3-3 (away) lost 2-4