Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison is hoping that his side will turn on a floodlight special against Newton Aycliffe tonight in the last Friday night fixture in the STL Northern League.
The RA go into this local derby in good heart after pushing Billingham Town all the way in midweek in the Durham Challenge Cup, and Harrison said: “The lads seem to be raising their game for midweek games. Maybe it’s the novelty of playing under floodlights, as they hadn’t done before they came into the Northern League this season. I think there’s only one floodlit game, when we weren’t prepared properly at North Shields, in which they haven’t played well.”
Harrison, however, will probably still be missing tonight because of injury.
Aycliffe are on a high after their Durham Challenge Cup win over Consett in midweek, but manager Alan Oliver warns: “We’re under no illusions whatsoever. This will be one of our toughest games of the season.” Former Hartlepool midfielder Mark Tinkler and defender Mark Peck will both return.
The RA are hoping for a crowd of around 150 as they experiment with Friday night football.
The next Friday game is next week, when Hebburn entertain Seaham Red Star.
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