WITH our first away game done and dusted, we can now look forward to our first home game of the season when we take on Boston United at Heritage Park on Saturday. While a part of me wants to get super-excited, I’m trying to keep my cool.

Every season, I come along to the first home game hoping that we’ve found a couple hundred more fans. Usually, I go away disappointed but I feel confident that this will be the year that they decide to turn up. I’m ever the optimist!

There’s plenty of signs that my optimism is reasonably well placed. For a start, there were faces in attendance at Altrincham that I haven’t seen for a while. Then, there is the activity taking place off the pitch. Having been along to Blackwell Meadows a couple of time this week, I’m amazed how quickly the builders have progressed. They’re certainly not hanging around.

I know there has been a lot of speculation about whether Blackwell Meadows would even happen. Then, there’s been the supplementary debate about when we will actually get there. Some of the speculation has been quite unhelpful although I suspect over the coming couple of weeks, we should see some real progress with the building work which will hopefully appease even the most sceptical of fan.

Factor in the quality additions that Martin Gray has made to the squad and there really is little reason why we shouldn’t be getting excited about this season. With a return to Darlington in sight, quality players like Josh Gillies and Phil Turnbull to entertain us and a number of opponents who we have done battle with in the past, there is no reason why Darlo fans new, old, current or lapsed shouldn’t pop along to Heritage Park on Saturday to see what is on offer.

Saturday’s opponents fall in to that category of opponents we’ve previously faced. Despite the dubious nature in which the Pilgrims entered the Football League, they were a welcome addition and a trip to deepest, darkest Lincolnshire was always one to look forward to, as it will be this season.

Boston made the playoffs last season so, in theory at least, it should be tough game. However, having lost the vast majority of that side including the division’s joint top goalscorer, Dayle Southwell, this is a very different Boston team. With two defeats out of two including a home loss to a Stalybridge Celtic team not expected to do anything this season, it could be the case that Boston are there for the taking.

With a trip to Curzon Ashton on Monday coming hot off the heels of Saturday, a win would really set the wheels in motion for us. With additional match fitness and players being more acclimatised following their holidays, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be putting in a rousing performance, leaving those fans in attendance and those who are not wanting more. This is our time to shine so let’s seize it. Come on Darlo!