First column of 2015, here’s hoping this year brings about a Darlington promotion. I’m pleased to be back writing a column after a couple of weeks break. I have a friend in Australia who is on at me every day: “Where is your column, Busted? Why haven’t you sent me it!?” It’s got to the point where he won’t speak to his children until I put a column on here. So here you go, Ben.

The New Year and Christmas period didn’t go too badly at all in terms of results, however, it was slightly frustrating having games called off, especially the abandoned game at Kendal which should never have got the go ahead in the first place. A lot of people wasted their New Years Day travelling to Kendal when it could have easily been prevented. Sometimes I think it’s worth having a break over the Christmas period for non-league teams, most of the games get called off anyways. With a break, clubs can be a lot more organised, the pitches have a little time to recover and supporters can plan days in advance rather than waiting to hear on the morning of a game whether it will get the go ahead or not. Plus it means Tom Portas could have spent a lot more time on his BMX he received for Christmas. That’s just my thoughts on the matter though.

Saturday’s game was a great three points for us having not played well at all first half. Although we didn’t play great the lads kept on working hard and we got rewarded with the three points. Players and teams can’t play well every game, so it’s important the times you do have off days that you’re able to still pick up points. Brighouse Town were not a bad side and worked their socks off throughout the 90. I guess we can expect that from every team we play from now until the end of the season and it’s up to ourselves to raise our game also. Most of the other results went in our favour as well, which was an added bonus but to be honest we just need to concentrate on what we are doing and not worry about other teams around us. I fully expect it to be a close run in until the end of the season with all the teams in the top half having a chance of putting pressure on each other.

The FA Cup didn’t go as well as people would have hoped with Blyth and Gateshead being knocked out, but credit has to be given to both clubs for an unbelievable effort to get as far as they did. I spoke to Blyth manager Tom Wade last night and he was really proud of the lads, but slightly frustrated to go so close having gone 2-0 up against Bimingham City. It just goes to show how well they did when they’re disappointed at getting beat by a Championship side.

A good thing to come out of Blyth’s defeat is that we no longer have to see Robbie Dale’s face on our TV screens. My four-year-old daughter was scared to come from under her bed when she got a glimpse of him on the news, at least we can watch the tv without fear now.

Just to finish off, Leon Scott rang me this morning wanting to know how I get the volume in my quiff. He’s forever asking questions, where I get my clothes from and how I do my hair etc. I’ve told him to create his own style, so he is thinking of growing his hair long, if you could all drop him a tweet or a message giving him your thoughts please. I think it’s a great idea and he’ll really suit the extra length.