Nathan Aspinall floors 'Goldfinger' to book date with Ricardo Pietreczko in the last 16 of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship

Nathan Aspinall has booked a date with Ricardo Pietreczko in the last 16 of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace, after a 4-0 victory over Andrew Gilding this Saturday afternoon. 

A battle of former UK Open champions, neither Aspinall or Gilding have been at their brilliant best in 2024. In a tight and tense opening set, both were a notable level below top form also as breaks of throw were traded over the course of the opening three legs. Sparking into life with a 14-dart hold of throw in leg 4 though, it was Aspinall who secured the first set of the match 3-1.

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Breaking throw with a 12-darter finished on 124 to open up set 2 though, Gilding immediately bounced back strongly after the break. Unable to buy a treble in the next leg though, 'Goldfinger' handed Aspinall a comfortable break straight back. As the pair then traded holds of throw, the second set was sent to a fifth and deciding set, where Aspinall had the darts. With 'The Asp' only forging a dart at double with his 21st arrow of the leg, Gilding had the chance to level the score, but when he couldn't, Aspinall punished to double his lead in sets at 2-0.

Aspinall had a chance to further press home his advantage and break Gilding in the opener of set 3, but after missing two darts at double, 'Goldfinger' pinned a nerveless 68 to snatch the leg. Much like the second though, the third set also went all the way to a deciding leg. This time it was Gilding who had the advantage of throw, but with a 101 checkout, Aspinall took the leg to make it 3-0 in sets and close in on the last 16.

Although Aspinall hadn't truly hit top form, averaging around the 91 mark for much of the contest, his trademark grit and determination continued to see him winning all the key moments in the match. After two solid holds of throw put him one leg away from the victory in set 4, 'The Asp' then put the pressure on Gilding in leg 4 with some power scoring, before nailing double top with his first match dart to take the win.

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