Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
THE 2025/26 Enterprise National League North season kicks off this weekend, with Andy Preece’s Chorley side travelling to Darlington in their season-opener.
The Magpies head into the new campaign after finishing fifth in 2024/25, before losing in the playoff semi-finals against eventual promotion winners, Scunthorpe United.
Heading to Blackwell Meadows on Saturday, Preece will be able to welcome new signings Tom Walker and Jack Moore to the team in what will be a competitive encounter against last season’s 11th-placed side.
Pre-Season
The Magpies’ summer friendlies saw plenty of big sides come to Victory Park, with home games against Wigan Athletic, Preston North End, Bradford City and Rochdale, and also featured five wins against lower-division outfits.
The four higher-ranked clubs were all pushed right to the wire by Chorley, who came away with a 0-0 draw against the Bantams and lost by just one goal to the other three.
Either side of these games were victories over Longridge Town, Squires Gate, Leek Town, Stalybridge Celtic and Atherton Collieries, whilst a fixture against a Manchester City XI took place on Tuesday night, ending in a narrow 1-2 defeat.
Opposition Focus
Saturday’s hosts Darlington have had a positive pre-season, winning six out of their seven fixtures under the management of Steve Watson.
Victories over Blyth Spartans, Sunderland U21s, Stockton Town, Newton Aycliffe, Altrincham and Dunston UTS completed a successful July before last weekend’s close defeat to Step One side Gateshead brought an end to their pre-season schedule.
After last season’s mid-table finish, manager Watson has made some key additions to his squad with the signings of Gateshead duo Aidan Rutledge and Tom Allan, Queen’s Park full-back Josh Scott and the return of goalkeeper Pete Jameson, on loan from the Heed.
They have also welcomed defender Alfie Myers-Smith, on loan from Middlesbrough, and midfielders Will McGowan and Will Maddison.
Their squad contains experienced performers Kallum Griffiths, Tom Platt and Will Hatfield, whilst defender Scott Barrow will captain the side.
Manager Steve Watson joined the club on New Year's Eve 2023, with the Quakers in the relegation zone at the time, but he guided them to safety by winning 10 of their last 15 games of the season. In his 72 games in charge of the club, he has a 44.4% win percentage with 32 victories, 16 draws and 24 defeats.
He has previous managerial experience at Gateshead, York City and Chester, as well as playing in the Premier League for 13 years for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion.
Head to Head
The last meeting between the two sides came in March when Kole Hall’s goal secured a point for the Magpies after going one down at Blackwell Meadows.
Earlier in the season at Victory Park, Darlington succumbed to a 3-0 defeat as a brace for Momodou Touray and a goal for George Horbury clinched all three points for Andy Preece’s side.
Match Details
Darlington vs Chorley
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, August 9
3pm kick-off
Blackwell Meadows, Darlington, DL1 5NR
Come on you Magpies!
