juli 26, 2025

Alty drop fourth pre-season friendly at Darlington

Words Alex Birch | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Darlington 3 Altrincham 1

Alty's pre-season schedule continued with a 3-1 defeat to Darlington at Blackwell Meadows.

Despite a bright start from the visitors, which saw Tom Crawford and Keaton Ward go close, it was the Quakers who hit the front on 11 minutes through midfielder Will Hatfield's close-range finish.

A quick flurry of chances followed for Steve Watson's side, with Luke Hutchinson alert to deny a Jack Maskell header and Josh Scott's low drive as Darlo looked to press home their advantage.

Alty's best chance of the half fell to Jimmy Knowles, after a great interchange of passing down the right flank between Lewis Banks and Olly Crankshaw. Unfortunately, when the ball fell to the striker, home keeper Pete Jameson was alert to save.

At the other end, Hutchinson produced a flying stop to deny Ben Hedley, as both teams landed blows without adding to the scoreline.

A much more intense Altrincham came out for the second half. Lewis Banks was first to test Jameson with a low shot, before trialist Charlie Kirk's attempted lob was tipped over by the Darlington stopper.

The pressure continued to build; Sam Reed firing over and Crankshaw forcing another Jameson save, and despite multiple substitutions being made, the Alty chances kept flowing.

Kahrel Reddin headed over from close range and was also denied by Jameson after being set up by Matty Kosylo. Then, finally, Darlington's resistance was broken.

Remi Raymond won the ball in midfield and played James Gale into the inside channel. The forward muscled off his marker, turned, took a touch and hammered home his fourth pre-season tally in as many games.

Despite the dominance, Alty found themselves behind once more just five minutes later as Cedric Main blasted a close range finish in off the bar. This was followed by an 88th minute Elliot Forbes header that put the result beyond doubt.

Plenty of positives, despite the defeat, for Phil Parkinson heading into Tuesday's home friendly with Port Vale.

Darlington Jameson; Hedley, Barrow (c), Lees, Hatfield, Maskell (Cornish, 70'), Main, Allan (Forbes, 59'), Scott, McGowan, Griffiths (Rutledge, 59'). Subs not used: McGrath, Kirokiro, Maddison.

Altrincham Hutchinson (Fallon, 73'); Banks (Golden, 59'), Reed, Baines (c) (Bailey, 59'), Trialist, Crawford (Marriott, 59'), Osborne (Kosylo, 59'), Ward (Raymond, 59'), Crankshaw (Reddin, 59'), Trialist, Knowles (Gale, 59').

HT 1-0

Goals Hatfield 11', Main 72', Forbes 88' | Gale 67'

Yellows None | None

Reds None | None

Referee Andrew Kitchen

Assistants Shaun Hudson & Graham Fyvie

Fourth official Liam Smith

Attendance 495

Next Up

Two home friendlies stand between the Robins and Enterprise National League opening day.

Tuesday it's League One Port Vale visiting The J.Davidson Stadium for a 7:45pm kick-off, before Nottingham Forest B are in town next Saturday.