We renew our rivalry with Salford on Saturday, with our visitors flying high at the top of the table (writes Simon Hahn)

Two goals from David Ferguson gave us a 2-0 win at Moor Lane on the opening day, but the side’s fortunes couldn’t have differed much more since.

Salford have only last once since in the league, a 3-2 defeat against Leamington, but that result aside they have dominated the division. On Saturday, they won 1-0 at high flying Blyth Spartans leaving them nine points clear of second placed Brackley Town.

We have had many memorable games with the Ammies in recent years, including our 4-3 win at Moor Lane and a 3-2 win at Heritage Park. However, last season we were only able to take one point from our two games against Salford, drawing 2-2 at Heritage Park in November.

As well as sitting top of the table, Salford are yet to lose away from home in the league, have the best defensive record in the division, as well as the second best attack.

You can watch an interview with Phil Turnbull here

http://darlingtonfc.co.uk/reece-the-final-piece-of-the-jigsaw-phil/

There are interviews with Tommy Wright and new signing James Talbot also available elsewhere on the website,

Kick off on Saturday is 3:00pm, 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 2:50pm.

Statistics:

Quakers last five matches:

24/11/2017 Harrogate Town (h) Trophy lost 2-3 (Styche 2)

Wilczynski, Galbraith, Collins, Brown; Trotman, Mills (sub Gillies 80); Turnbull, Portas (sub Saunders 79), Syers, Thompson (sub Caton 81); Styche

Subs: Vaulks, Bancroft,

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

Leading scorer: Josh Gillies 5

Team news:

Reece Styche will make his league debut for Quakers after scoring twice in the Trophy on his full debut

Keeper James Talbot is added to the squad after being signed on a youth loan from Sunderland.

Centre half Josh Heaton returns to the squad after being cuptied for the Harrogate game.

Chris Hunter is out with an ankle injury.

Current league position: 16th

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

Salford City

Last five matches

02/12/2017 Blyth Spartans (A) Won 1-0

Crocombe, Nottingham, Touray, Burton, Piergianni, Hogan, Allen (Beesley 69), Mafuta, Phenix (Dudley 69), Redshaw, Askew (Dieseruvwe 86).

Subs not used: Livesey, McHale.

25/11/2017 Brackley (A) FA Trophy Lost 4-0

18/11/2017 North Ferriby United (H) Won 4-0

11/11/2017 Tamworth (A) Won 2-1

4/11/2017 Alfreton (H) Won 1-0

Leading scorer: Jack Redshaw 11

Current league position: 1^st

Away form: played 10, won 8 drawn 2

Previous meetings:

This season:

Salford 0 Darlington 2

Last season:

Darlington 2 Salford 2, Salford 5 Darlington 1