We are looking to continue the improvement we showed against Gateshead on Wednesday when Kettering come to Blackwell Meadows on Saturday.

After losing 3-1 at Farsley last Saturday, we improved considerably to draw 1-1 with Gateshead on Wednesday night – although the point came with a price, as defender Luke Trotman went off with an achilles injury and is now ruled out for the season.

That could open the door for Josh Heaton to start the game following his return to the club.

Our last game:

Gateshead (home) drew 1-1 Liddle

Team: Elliott, Trotman (sub Heaton 86), Liddle, Holness ( Donawa 66), Laing, Galbraith, Rivers, Hatfield, Campbell, Thompson, Holmes (sub O’Neill 34). Subs:  Bascome, Watson

Here's a postmatch interview with Darlington manager Alun Armstrong

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/video-we-deserved-a-point-from-it

Team News: Right back Luke Trotman is ruled out for the season with a cartilage problem, while striker Jamie Holmes has a cartilage problem.  Midfielder David Atkinson is doubtful with a foot injury.

Kettering squad

Goalkeeper: Paul White

Defenders: Brett Solkhon, Gary Stohrer, James Brighton, Javan Vidal, Joe Skarz, Luke Graham, Sam Cartwright

Midfielders: Ben Milnes, Connor Kennedy, Joe Massaro, Joel Carta. Michael Richens

Forwards: Aaron O’Connor, Dan Nti, Elliott Hodge, Lindon Meikle, Marcus Kelly

Kettering recent history

2018/19 Premier Division Central Points 94 Position 1^st (Promoted)

2017/18 Southern Football League Premier Division Points 97 Position 4^th (Transferred)

2016/17 Southern Football League Premier Division Points 73 Position 9^th

2015/16 Southern Football League Premier Division Points 80 Position 6^th

2014/15 Southern Football League Premier Division Points 97 Position 4th

2013/14 Southern Football League Division One Central Points 95 Position 1^st (Promoted)

Their last game:  Tuesday: King’s Lynn (away) lost 1-2 Solkhon

Team: White, Vidal, Brighton (sub Kelly 55), Skarz, Cartwright, Richens, Meikle, O’Connor (sub Solkhon 75), Nti, Carta (sub Stohrer 51), Kennedy. Subs: Graham, Hodge

Here's an interview with Nicky Eaden, the Kettering manager

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=c4Zq0p-ABlY

Last Saturday:  AFC Telford United (home) won 2-1 Carta, Nti

Connections – Mark Cooper has managed both clubs

Craig Stoddart has written a piece about Quaker connections to Kettering in our matchday programme.

Our last meeting:  28^th April 2012

Darlington 3 Bowman 2, Hollis) Kettering 1

Darlington: Nixon, Brown, Arnison, Hollis, Johnson, Rundle, Keltie, Taylor, Wainwright (sub Lambert 60), McReady, Bowman. Subs (not used): Ferguson, Barton

The match programme will be on sale, price £2.50

Admission prices £14 adults, £10 concessions, £5 under 18s, free for Under 11s