Great wins in midweek for Dunston and Chorley as they gear up for the Big One

Tomorrow is matchday and Dunston and Chorley will go head to head in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup at the UTS Stadium in Gateshead. Both teams were in league action in midweek and both recorded fine wins in advance of the big match.

Chorley entertained media darlings Salford City at their Victory Park Ground. Salford, notoriously, are the team who boast ex Manchester United legends Butt, Giggs, Scholes and the Neville brothers among their directors and are the current subject of a BBC TV documentary series chronicling their rise and rise. Salford suffered a rare setback on Tuesday night when Chorley beat them 2-1 in front of an incredible crowd of over 2000. On the scoresheet for Chorley on Tuesday was Jason Walker, ex Dundee and Morton. Jason is in a rich vain of form at the moment having now scored 4 goals in his last 5 games. The Dunston defence are going to have to be very circumspect tomorrow if they are going to blunt the challenge of this goal machine. The Magpies are flying and are now in the play off positions in the Vanarama National League North as they seek to get promotion and join the non-league elite next season.

Will the prolific Jason Walker be sticking his tongue out at the Dunston defenders tomorrow? 

On Wednesday Dunston played a Northern League derby fixture when they travelled 7 miles south to take on Washington FC. The men from Gateshead ran out comfortable winners with a confidence-boosting 4-1 victory over their hosts. On the scoresheet for Dunston were Heslop, Slaughter, Smith and Thear. Pie loving manager Billy Irwin has now masterminded 5 wins and 2 draws in 7 away fixtures in all competitions this season, a truly remarkable record. Dunston are in mid table in the Northern League but, because of their FA Cup run, have games in hand and could mount a challenge for the title in the second half of the season.

Pie loving Billy Irwin (left): Will he be celebrating tomorrow night?

Chorley are managed by ex Blackburn Rovers stalwart Matt Jansen. Will it be Dunston's Billy or Chorley's Matt who will be celebrating tomorrow night or will be be heading for another reply. One thing is for sure this is going to a fascinating stop on the Road to Wembley from Scotland.