Rochdale v Darlington (1-2)
Coca-Cola League Two Play-Off Semi-Final (Second Leg)
Saturday May 3rd, 12pm
We take a lead into this game, but know it won't be easy with Dale's home record. They've earned a play-off spot on the back of a 10-match unbeaten although Keith Hill's men can be inconsistent and the season started poorly. They've certainly been the form team, however, in recent weeks and will be looking for what at the end of their centenary season would be an historic first promotion out of the bottom league for nearly 40 years. They'll certainly carry the emotional neutral armchair support. As well as goals from Adam Le Fondre, a good season from ex-Darlo midfielder Adam Rundle and winger Ben Muirhead (ex-Man Utd and Bradford City). Ex-Darlo 'keeper Sam Russell has been injured..

Man to watch: Adam Le Fondre Surprisingly started from the bench but may be unleashed for this leg. Young striker has a good scoring record since his arrival from Stockport and has been this season's top scorer, although he was on the bench for the first leg.

Ground and ticket prices: This is all ticket. Away fans sit alongside the pitch in the Westrose Leisure stand, in Wilbutts Lane. They also seem to have sorted their problem pitch. Play-off tickets on sale from Darlington FC: £18 (£10 concession) - we've been given 2,000, so shouldn't be a probleml.

TRAVEL: From North: Spotland is around two miles off Junction 20 of the M62. Follow signs for Rochdale A627(M), take a left at the first roundabout on the A627(M), passing B&Q on the right. . At the next roundabout, head up through the lights and with the cemetery on your left. The ground, well sign-posted, is on the right. There is parking, costing about £2.50, at the ground, with some street parking.

TRAINS/BUS: Trains: It's quite a long two mile walk from the railway station, with a section up hill near the end, which takes 20-30 minutes. It's certainly do-able, if not straightforward. Here goes: You take the second left at the roundabout by the station into Lower Tweedale St, then right at Millstone Rd, then across the main road into Church Stile. As you reach the church, turn left and follow the road into Sparrow Hill, past the Broadfield Hotel to the end of this road. You turn left into a park, turning right down a path to the main road. You cross the main road, with Asda in front of you, turning left into Dane Street. You then follow the road, which turns up hill past factories (I think a crisp or potato factory..) and then you turn left at the mini roundabout into Spotland Rd. Keeping up? The ground is off here on the left. There is a No 436 bus which runs from the railway station via the town and close to the ground. There's a No 17 service between Manchester and Rochdale.

TRAIN TIMES (UPDATED May '08, includes later return trains for those watching the FA Cup final: Darlington 08.12-Leeds (09.08) 09.37 arr 10.49. Return: 15.09 via Leeds (16.28), 17.05 arr 1800. 18.39-Leeds (19.58) 20.09-arr 21.07. Saver return £42.90. NB: Fans are recommended to book separate day returns from Darlington to Leeds (£23.40) and Leeds to Rochdale (£7.90) to save money...
You have to catch the early bird from London Kings Cross to get you there in time for a midday kick-off - an an expensive option at that. Best is the 07.10-Leeds (09.35) 10.08 arr 11.22. Rtn 17.09-Leeds (18.28) 18.40-arr 21.15. Fare: Saver return - £82.60.
Birmingham New Street: 08.03-Wigan N Western (09.22), 10 min walk to Wigan Wallgate then 09.49-arr 10.55. Return: 15.03-via Wigan Wallgate (16.19) and Wigan N Western, 16.41 arr 18.11. Also: 18.39-Leeds (19.58) 20.10-arr 22.13. Fares: Saver return £35.30.
Sheffield: 08.21-Leeds (09.04) 09.37arr 10.49. Return: 15.39-via Leeds (16.58) 17.10 arr 17.41; or 18.23-Manchester Victoria (18.41) Metro to Manchester Piccadilly 19.18-arr 20.08. Fare: £14.40, cheapday return

Taxis: Tiger Taxis Tel: 01706 641114 Cozy Cars Tel: 01706 644222 Millennium Cars Tel: 01706 657777 Unicars Tel: 01706 711117

Darlington FC Supporters Club 8.30am, £14 (Non-members £19 adults and £15.50 children). Must book in advance - contact: 01325 243911

Things to do/Accommodation:
Rochdale has brought the world the Co-Op, Gracie Fields, Lisa Stansfield, Anna Friel and the late Don Estelle. It's 12 miles north of Manchester and the football ground is set in a fairly decent suburb, leafy almost. Rochdale ain't bad at all as a place and it's one of the better and more friendly grounds to visit. Rochdale Tourist Information Centre, the Clock Tower Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade Rochdale OL16 1AB, Tel: 01706 356592

Pubs: Not a bad choice of pubs for a small town. Try the local CAMRA site for latest news. Might be best to head into town to watch the FA Cup final after the match, the pubs near the ground are likely to be busier than usual. Closest to the stadium are The Cemetery Hotel, Bury Rd/Sandy Lane At the lights near the ground, popular with home fans, friendly to away fans - some real ales and cooked food. An alternative recommended pub. DAFTS recommended.

Or try The Church Inn Willbutt's Lane Popular pre-match haunt, next to the ground and, of course, a church. Football-friendly three-roomed pub with garden terrace (and sunshine hopefully) and adjoining bowling green, Sky and pool table. Good value (that's cheap to you and me) local JW Lees beer and John Smith's. Serves crisps and chocolate, but no hot food or rolls on our last visit. DAFTS recommended.

Cask & Feather Drake St/1 Oldham Rd The home of the McGuiness Brewery, brews its own ales and also does good food, including all-day breakfasts. Britannia Inn, Lomax Street, Tel: 01706 646391 Pub with bed and breakfast accommodation

To eat: There's a fish and chip shop in Willbutts Lane, opposite the away entrance. The food inside the ground has always been good - with a decent choice of meat pies (£1.50), although a bit luke warm on the last visit. The club had hot news in the summer with news that Lancashire-based Clayton Pies had been hired for the new season - none of your Peters or Pukka here. They take their pastry very seriously and have promised pie sizes will be bigger and prices the same. There are a few curry houses near the station.

Contact: Rochdale FC, Spotland, Willbutts Lane, Rochdale, Lancs OL11 5DS Tel: 01706 644648

© 2008 Printer-friendly version of the Darlington Away Far Travelling Supporters' away guide, adapted from www.dafts.co.uk. No responsibility taken for accuracy, if in doubt please check.