THE Reebok Stadium has seen more than its fair share of FA Cup drama over the years – no wonder, then, it has become the home of the darting world’s equivalent.

The UK Open was back in Bolton over the weekend, 10 years since it first landed in the town and, as ever, it provided an endless supply of entertainment over four days.

Now one of the firm favourites on the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit, the UK Open is unique in that it brings together darters from both the PDC and the British Darts Organisation in one arena competing in quick-fire knockout matches.

And with eight boards all hosting ties at the same time, in the same room, it is no wonder the footballing nickname has stuck as a label.

After a Thursday of qualifying, first and second-round action, Friday night saw the inclusion of the big guns for the first time as the top 32 after several rounds of qualifying.

The fans inside the Reebok certainly had plenty of choice on offer.

And what an atmosphere it was inside the Premier Suite.

The last big event in the huge room on the east side of the stadium was a celebration of Wanderers White Hot reunion as the famous three of John McGinlay, Andy Walker and David Lee were reunited to re-enact that famous post-Anfield photo.

On Friday night it was trebles of a different kind that were the order of the day and the action was more red-hot than white.

There was still a local hero to cheer, though, in the shape of adopted Lancastrian Ross Smith.

The world number 68 from Tonge Fold was in action in round three against 2006 BDO World Lakeside champion Jelle Klaasen – a tough draw for the 24-year-old who swapped Kent for Lancashire over two years ago. Second on board eight, you may have expected most of the attention to be focused on the main stage and a big clash between two former world champions John Part and Ted Hankey.

But Boltonian support was firmly fixed in a far-flung corner and behind Smith.

It was an inauspicious start, though, as his Dutch opponent won a straightforward first two games.

Smith clawed it back to two apiece but then was 4-2 down and remained at least two adrift until a stirring fightback and a bull-finish helped him level at 7-7.

He was pumped as the growing crowd responded.

But it wasn’t to be the great escape as Klaasen showed his class to take the match 9-7.

Few of the big names suffered a similar fate, apart from Aussie Simon Whitlock who was beaten by Fleetwood’s Wes Newton.

Two-time winner Raymond van Barneveld had some heart-stopping moments on board two before beating World Youth champion Michael Smith 9-8.

But he made it through at an event he admits he loves after winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007 – labelling Bolton his “holy ground”.

Van Barneveld told The Bolton News: “I love coming to Bolton – this is holy ground for me.

“Bolton is special for me because the first two years I came here, I won and beat Phil Taylor on the way.

“The third year I got to the semi-finals so this UK Open is good for me.” His fellow countryman, and recently-crowned Premier League champion, Michael van Gerwen also progressed through his first match, this time on the main stage just after world champion Phil Taylor’s whitewash victory.

And he also said it is a competition he enjoys despite failing to make it further than the last 16 in previous visits to Bolton.

The hottest property at present in the game spoke to The Bolton News after his win and added: “You have to stay focused.

“It is stranger than usual here in Bolton but good also.

“The crowd singing my name feels great and the support is fantastic.

“It has not always been a good tournament for me but things change.”

Darting fans in Bolton will hope little changes too much and the UK Open keeps bringing big-time arrows to the Reebok every summer.