Darlington skipper Kevin Burgess said that he was very proud to lead the team out on to the field for last Monday’s opening game against Halifax Town.

The Homecoming couldn’t have gone any better as far as Quakers were concerned with 3,000 fans inside Blackwell Meadows and a 3-2 win.

“It was definitely a day I won’t forget,” Kev said.

“To lead the team on to the field for the first game at Blackwell Meadows was a great honour, and I was also very proud to have my two children with me.

“I was choked up when I was in the tunnel beforehand, and when we went on to the field, the noise was unbelievable.

“If we close to that number at every home game with everyone behind us, I can’t seem any teams taking much off us.”

Kev was lurking in the penalty area when Phil Turnbull crossed for Mark Beck to score, and he said; “We couldn’t have asked for a better start when Becky scored, and to be honest, I thought the scoreline flattered them. We were very good going forward and we scored three good goals.

“I thought the second goal was well made, and Josh’s goal was an unbelievable strike for the third. That goal gave us a cushion.

“Most of all, it was a great to score them in front of the Tin Shed.”

Quakers now play the return game against Halifax on New Year’s Day, and Kev said; “We’re looking for a repeat performance at Halifax, and hoping to start a good run of results.

“We’ve played very well at times away from home this season and we’ll be looking for a similar display at the Shay.”

Here are our stats according to the Stalybridge Celtic website

http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/teamstats.php?team=DARLI&year=2017

and FC Halifax's

http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/teamstats.php?team=HALIT&year=2017

Here's the preview from the Halifax website

http://www.halifaxafc.co.uk/News/article/2016-17/preview-fc-halifax-town-vs-darlington-3482687.aspx

and an interview with their player Richard Peniket

http://www.halifaxafc.co.uk/News/article/2016-17/player-fc-halifax-town-vs-darlington-3482703.aspx