Quakers kick off against league new boys

Darlington will kick off their second Blue Square Bet Premier season with a home match against newly-promoted Braintree Town. The FA Trophy winners welcome the Conference South champions to the Northern Echo Arena on August 13, with a trip to high-spending Fleetwood Town three days later. Mark Cooper's team will enjoy two local derbies, the first of which will arrive on Boxing Day when Quakers visit Gateshead, with the Heed making the return fixture on New Year's Day. Darlington travel to York City on September 20 in a midweek fixture, while Quakers will host the Minstermen on January 28. Other notable fixtures include Chris Senior making an early return to the Northern Echo Arena after his summer departure from Darlington, despite scoring the winner in the FA Trophy final at Wembley. His new club, Alfreton Town, travel to Darlington on August 23. Quakers defeated Mansfield at Wembley, and the Stags have an early opportunity to avenge defeat when they face Darlington on September 3. Newly-relegated Stockport County entertain Quakers on October 11.

Source: Northern_Echo