Not so quiet on the Weston front!

EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
DARLINGTON RA 3 HEBBURN TOWN 0
By Ricky Butler at Brinkburn Road

TEN YEARS AGO this week, Darlington RA returned to the Northern League and this proved to be the perfect way to celebrate that particular anniversary.

After the disappointment of seeing their hero, Mikey Weston, left on the bench for the midweek cup defeat to Jarrow Roofing, the Infoserve gang voted with their feet this time; preferring to stay in the pub or go shopping than make the weekly pilgrimage to Brinkburn Road.

And just to prove why he shouldn't have been left out of the Jarrow match, Mikey not only marked Hebburn danger-man, the giant Channon North, out of the match but also scored with a trademark header to seal this victory. (Please note, this paragraph was written by Mr Weston himself!!!)

Mikey Weston; on the mark for Darlington RA

In the unusually warm autumnal sunshine, the first half was a mundane affair with neither side creating very much. With the absence of young Shane Campbell in the crowd, disappointingly no longer an Infoserver either, there was literally nothing to get excited about as the meager crowd slopped off for some much needed half time refreshment.

However, it all kicked off in the second half. On the hour a routine free kick to Hebburn ended with the RA's Joe Peel being shown a straight red card for an apparent elbow on a visiting player. It looked no more than a case of handbags but the referee saw it differently and the hosts were down to ten men.

But when the going gets tough, the tough get going and just seven minutes later the RA went in front with a fine strike from Darren Kokes. Anyone who has followed my blogs over the last few years will remember Kokesy from his Northallerton days. A wholehearted, unselfish player, Kokesy's work often goes unrewarded so it was great to see him get on the score-sheet for the first time this season.

Darren Kokes opened the scoring

Despite their one man disadvantage, the RA doubled their lead soon after with what is fast becoming a regular occurrence in these parts; a wonder goal from young Harvey Saunders. Without wishing to sound like his agent, I have to say the lad is a talent. This goal; cutting in from the right before firing in at the near post, once again illustrated why he will be playing at a much higher level before too long. Of course I would be happy to take an agents fee when he does join Newcastle United...

The North-East's next big thing; young Harvey Saunders

But the highlight was still to come. With just over ten minutes left, Infoserve's very own Mikey Weston, rose like a salmon at the far post to head home the third. He now claims to have scored over 200 goals in his football career but if you take out all of the ones he has scored on Football Manager you are only left with about 10. Even so, not bad for a fat lad who plays at the back!!!

So the equilibrium was restored. Mikey was back in the side, the RA won and the sun was shining. All in all a very good Saturday. Next up for the RA is a midweek trip to Heaton Stannington before Hall Road Rangers visit in the FA Vase next weekend. Rumour has it that the Infoserve gang are due to return for that one...