It is raining goals in Gateshead as Dunston and Penrith draw 3-3

Saturday 20^th August 2016

FA Cup Preliminary Round

Dunston UTS 3 Penrith 3

For yesterday’s match I had only one hope. My wish was that the match finished in a decisive result and did not go to a replay. With a 3 day break booked in Scarborough starting Wednesday with my old mucker Anne Donkin and my good friend Howard ‘Howie Baby’ Nimmo I was hoping that the tie would be decided yesterday. As it turns out, on Wednesday I will be heading for Penrith and Anne will be heading for Scarborough to meet up with my pal Howard. On Thursday I might be heading for the divorce courts!

The match was a great spectacle yesterday. Played in torrential rain and a strong wind, two well matched teams shared 6 goals in an exciting tie. Penrith just shaded it on organisation and teamwork and Dunston had a small plus when it came to skill and flair. Two of the six goals were great goals that would have graced a football match at any level. It was great to be there with my son Brian, my brother Martin and Martin’s pal Phil Storey. A draw was a fair result and despite the Scarborough complication I am looking forward to the replay. Here is how it all looked yesterday.

Pre Match Communications: Once again I have no option other than to award full marks here. As with the Sunderland RCA tie, the good people of Penrith have been very generous with their time and have provided timely updates regarding their club’s preparations for this tie. This tie was my first experience of liaising with Dunston and the web site editor Ken Fitzpatrick was great in not only telling me about his club but also identifying the Dunston UTS links with Bonny Scotland. Ken also sent me details of the nearest pub to the ground and emailed a map showing the pub and the ground. It was a pleasure to meet up with Ken yesterday. Thanks again for all your help pal and see you in Penrith on Wednesday. 10/10

Ken Fitzpatrick the Dunston UTS bagpipe playing website editor

 Pre Match Pint: The nearest pub to the UTS Stadium is the Royal Hotel in Gateshead. On a Saturday lunchtime you expect a pub to be heaving with beer swilling punters. At 1.30 on Saturday the barmaid had two customers to attend to. One was a man with a heavy smoker’s grey face, who essayed a hacking cough that strongly suggested prolific phlegm production.  The other was his female smoking partner. When Brian, Martin, Phil and I checked in we trebled the customer base. No hand pulled beers available so overly cold Guinness was the order of the day 3/10

The grey skinned Royal drinker gives Phil, Martin and Brian directions

Programme: At £1 the programme was reasonably priced. With the exception of the cover, the 48 page publication was in black and white throughout. Two good articles describing the history of both clubs and interesting match reports from recent Dunston matches. A good effort 6/10

Ground: The UTS Stadium is clearly lovingly maintained by the office bearers and probably other supporters and volunteers. It is trim, well appointed and fit for purpose. A neat wee main stand on the half line on one side and a neat wee 4 step covered terracing on the other side. Other than that you are exposed to the elements. A single building behind one of the goals houses the changing rooms, the tea room and the bar 7/10

Arriving at UTS Stadium at 1430

Spectators watching the action from the Stand

Supporters of both teams watching from the terracing

Atmosphere: Very convivial and pleasant despite the rain pouring throughout the match. I am still at the stage on the ‘road’ where I have yet to hear any singing. However, the 188 spectators in attendance offered good encouraging vocal support for their favourites. 7/10

The Penrith 'Loyal' fans hang up their flags in the terrace before kick off 

Your blogger 'soaks' up the atmosphere. Pic courtesy of Ken Fitzpatrick

Scottishness: The link between Penrith and Bella Caledonia has been previously reported and the Scottish Penrith Physio was again in action yesterday. Susan Pollock was only called on to the pitch once and her tartan magic sponge again worked a treat as the stricken player was soon on up on his feet and able to continue. The link between Dunston and Bonny Scotland is a bit more tenuous. Dunston Legend and former player Chris Swailes once played for Hamilton Accies and web site editor Ken Fitzpatrick plays the bagpipes! 5/10

Penrith Scots Physio Sue Pollock keeps an eye on Tyler Bowman to ensure he does not have too many of those pies

Entertainment: You will struggle to see a better game played between two teams plying their trade in the Northern League. With the rain lashing down all afternoon the pitch was slick and this encouraged adventurous pass and move football. Both sides had excellent players in the forward positions. The front two for Penrith of Coleman and Connelly were a threat all afternoon and for Dunston the lone front man Morien was ably supported by my man-of-the-match Oli Leedham. Leedham has a turn of pace, a winger’s trickery and the ability to spot a killer pass. On the evidence from yesterday young Mr Leedham is headed for bigger football arenas. Penriths’s goals were scored by Street, Coleman and Faustino and the Dunston goals scored by Halliday, Heslop and Pearson. The goals from Faustino and Heslop were both excellent long range efforts from outside the box and were both sublime strikes. The 86^th minute headed Dunston equaliser from Pearson has sent us all across the Penines in midweek. The home side were deserving of the draw as after going two goals behind just after the interval they laid siege to the Penrith goal throughout the second half. 9/10

Another set piece for Dunston (in blue) as they lay siege to the Penrith goal in the second half

 Match Day Catering: Three words here: “oh ya beauty!”. I had a first half mince pie that cost £1.20 and was culinary perfection. Warm, gravy loosened, mince in a light pastry casing. Phil had the pasty and was equally impressed. At half time we all headed for the bar and took the wrong turning and ended up in the tea room. After we had all helped ourselves to a free cup of tea and a nibble of now-divided-into-small-sections pie and pasty we realised we were probably in a room that was allocated to entertain Dunston Committee members and visiting office bearers from the Penrith club. Still, nobody seemed to mind and we felt very welcome. After the match we did find the bar and I was slightly surprised to see the mince pies now being offered to the players as a wee snack before they headed home. 9/10

The Tea Room at half time - free tea, pies and pasties!

 Value for Money: Six goals for six quid. Two good, well matched teams going at it hammer and tongs in the driving rain. Brilliant! 9/10

The je ne sais quoi factor: On the Road to Wembley from Scotland I am going to be attending most of the matches on my own. My son Brian works on Saturdays but this fixture coincided with his annual holiday and hence may be his only jaunt on the Road to Wembley from Scotland. It was great to travel down with Brian and share the day with him. It was also fab to hook up with my brother Martin who lives in Newcastle and his big pal Phil. Thanks guys. I asked Brian if there was anything quirky that was noteworthy from the whole day and he responded that the sight of those excellent pies being trotted out for all kinds of different audiences at all different times of the afternoon was memorable. With pies as tasty as that – why not! 9/10

Looking at the camera Martin is flanked by Phil on his right and Brian on his left

After the match the Dunston players are tempted by the famous mince pies

Overall Road to Wembley from Scotland Rating 74/100

So, it’s off to Penrith on Wednesday night for the second and final instalment of this intriguing tie. My brother could hardly believe I intended to be there given that I had a short holiday booked with my wife starting the same day. Martin: “What is more important football or your marriage?” Me: “Football of course but I was hoping not to have to make the choice!”

Miles on the clock for this match 256

Total Miles on the Road to Wembley from Scotland so far 482