Story by Kevin Luff - 8th August 2006

Darlington set sail for their first away trip of the season as Accrington Stanley make an emotional return to league football on their home soil. The Conference champions were unable to mark their return to the Football League after an absence of over forty-four years with a win as reality came to pay the fairytale story a visit - Chester City were on hand to spoil the mood with a 2-0 win. Accrington however have another chance as they play their first home game back in the Football League.

Quakers however will be looking to gatecrash the party and pick up where they left off on Saturday afternoon. Darlington turned in one of their most assured opening day performances in some years with their 4-0 victory over Macclesfield Town at the 96.6 TFM Arena and will be looking for a repeat performance. Hodgson feels the positive result over Macclesfield Town on Saturday should fill the players with plenty of confidence as they prepare for this fixture.

"It is not so much me it is the players and on the back of that performance then hopefully they will go into it full of confidence. There is no reason why they shouldn't do," declared Hodgson. "Everyone tends to spoil our party. We opened the East stand at Feethams against Barnet and they spoil that, the ground was opened when I wasn't here and Kidderminster spoilt that. We renamed the ground and they spoilt it again. I wish Accrington luck for the rest of the season but not at the determent our club."

A performance like the one Darlington turned in against the Silkmen would surely see them record back to back victories in opening league games for the first time in seven years. Quakers have not managed to win their opening two league games since the 1999/00 season when David Hodgson's men saw off Halifax Town 1-0 on the opening day of the season and then thumped Macclesfield Town 3-0 at Feethams a week later.

Darlington look unlikely to make any changes for this coming fixture. Midfielders Martin Smith and Kalusivikako Ngoma both picked up slight knocks but have recovered. Accrington boss John Coleman meanwhile will be without midfielder Sean Doherty, who is facing a fortnight on the sidelines. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot is also out for another week with a similar problem.

Darlington's fixture at Accrington kicks off at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £13 for adults and £7 for concessions. For further details you can contact Accrington on (01254) 356950.