DARLINGTON are inviting supporters to watch their new academy team in action today.

The under-19s team play Harrogate Town today at Blackwell Meadows (2pm) on the training pitches and admission is free.

A handful of the teenagers have been involved in the first team squad lately, manager Tommy Wright naming them on the substitutes bench following a lack of available senior players for various reasons.

Thomas Lycett and Brandon Morrison both came off the bench during the latter stages of a 3-0 home win against AFC Telford United, but today they will be in National League Youth Alliance (Division I) action for the third time.

So far they have lost 1-0 at Halifax Town and last week they drew 2-2 with Farsley Celtic.

Quakers' academy is a full-time education and football development programme for 16-18 year olds, and they receive coaching from Wright and Alan White.

The aim is to provide skills required to go on to university, apprenticeships, coaching, careers in sport, and professional or semi-professional football, with the youngsters studying a variety of nationally-recognised qualifications.

Meanwhile, Quakers’ first team play at Blackwell on Saturday against Stockport County, aiming to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Bradford (Park Avenue) in the FA Cup.

Jack Vaulks will be available for selection as his loan to Whitby Town has now concluded.