Charlie Barnett
Darlington FC (12th) – DWWLD
Gloucester City (21st) – WLLDL
Darlington FC welcome Gloucester City to Blackwell Meadows this Saturday as the visitors look to get back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The Tigers will be in good spirits following Lee Mansell’s first victory since coming in as interim manager, and as a result, the Gloucester-born man has until the end of the season in charge.
Darlington however will also have their tails up as they look to go four games without defeat, as well as scoring 10 goals in their last three outings.
While Gloucester have been without several senior players over the past few weeks, Mansell confirmed that three players will be returning to action soon and are all in the running to play on Saturday.
Mansell said, “I’m very blessed, I’ve inherited a good squad and brought good players in and they’re all in contention for Saturday.”
City were without club captain Kevin Dawson on the weekend, and although a specific date wasn’t set for his return, Mansell hinted that it could be soon.
He explained, “It’s given Dawson a bit of time and a bit of rest bite during this period to sort out a niggling ankle injury, he’s been playing through the pain a lot, and that goes to show what the skipper can do for the football club.
“We’re thankful for that and he’s put in really good performances, so along with ‘Fab’ and ‘Nuge’ they all come into the reckoning as well.” Mansell added.
Ben Nugent returns from suspension while Fabien Robert is also likely to be in the squad after he was brought off against Brackley.
Ollie Hulbert looked sharp in training and after scoring a brace against Farsley Celtic, Tiger’s fans can expect to see the loanee’s name in the starting line-up.
Mansell has previously worked with Hulbert during his time working with the Bristol Rovers academy and was full of praise saying, “I knew Ollie was a good player, I’ve worked with him for the past four years, same as Lucas Tomlinson, they’ll give absolutely everything, and they have really good quality.
“He likes to play in that central position, but I’m blessed with Dejon and Matty coming back into contention now. There’s a good bit of competition coming for places at the moment.”
Due to a concussion injury before he signed, Dejon Noel-Williams was left out of the starting team to ease him in but was awarded his first start in a City shirt on his home debut and looked likely to score on more than one occasion. Matt McClure will also have a good shout after setting up Hulbert’s second against Farsley, while also playing well together in previous games.
The game will kick off at 3pm on Saturday November 20th at Blackwell Meadows in Durham.
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