Darlington RA secretary Martyn Jackson is hoping that last Saturday's victory at Ryhope CW will kick-start his team's season, especially in Cup competitions.

A year ago, RA were struggling but all of a sudden their form took off and they embarked on a 22-match unbeaten sequence which not only put them within reach of the leaders, but propelled them into three cup finals.

"Obviously, I would like history to repeat itself.

"Last November we were no-hopers but if we had not stalled in April we would have had a very good chance of finishing as champions.

"As it was, we made it into three finals although we won just one cup defeating champions Birtley Town in the final of the League Cup.

"It was a fantastic achievement and it would be nice to think that we can do it again after starting our domestic cup campaign with victory in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup at Ryhope CW," said Jackson.

There is no doubt that RA have missed prolific goalscorer Steve Johnson who moved to Whitby Town during the close season. Johnson and his strike partners scored most of the goals in the last campaign but this time more players have added their names to the score sheet including newcomer Andrew Roberts.

"The transfer of Steve was a big blow but on the credit side goals are coming from all departments nowadays.

"Andrew, who hit more than 50 for Killinghall Arms in the Darlington and District League last season has notched three in his last three games and is ahead of his brother Stephen, who spearheads our attack.

"Although we are obviously disappointed with our form in the League, we are gradually getting it together and who knows what will happen in the months ahead especially if we continue in scoring mode.

"After all, 12 months ago nobody gave us a chance of winning anything but we could be on our way again," exclaimed Jackson.

Now that they have a near-full-strength squad to choose from and are scoring goals, competition has never been greater at any stage of the season for places in the Darlington RA side, which tomorrow visits New Marske in the Second Round of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup (1.30 pm).

"Although Rob Morley is still out, goalkeeper Robbie Hawman is available. He was injured in September and John Tait, who has deputised, kept his place last weekend," said secretary Martyn Jackson.Gary Hornsby is also back and RA could well field the same side tomorrow which won at Ryhope CW last weekend. Leaders Birtley Town, meanwhile, romped home in their tie with fifth-placed New Marske but holders North Shields went out at Whitehaven where they were unhappy because there was only one official assistant referee and the home side had to supply the other.

"It is never an ideal situation especially as we had a player sent off and Whitehaven were awarded a penalty which we hotly disputed. There were some unsavoury scenes after the game but at the end of the day the score stands,"

bemoaned Robins secretary David Thompson.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Harton and Westoe v Barnard Castle; Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Second Round (1.30 pm); Birtley Town v Cleadon SC, Boldon CA v Whitehaven, Gateshead Reserves v Stokesley SC, New Marske v Darlington RA, Ryhope CW v North Shields, Washington. Nissan UK v Ferryhill Athletic, Windscale v Annfield Plain, Wolviston v Jarrow.