It is Thear-ly extra time ... then Dunston strike

Wednesday August 24th

FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
Penrith 1 Dunston UTS  2

(report written on Thursday Aug 25th and published on Sunday August 28th)

At the end of the hottest day of the year the Frenchfields Stadium hosted Penrith v Dunston episode 2. It was the men from Gateshead who were able to turn up the heat at the end of a steamy night as a last minute winner from Lian Thear propelled Dunston into the next round.

Regular readers will know that this match caused all kinds of ructions in the Donkin household. A short late Summer break for Scarborough and York was booked for Wed 24th through to Sunday 28th August. My wife and I were teaming up with my good friend Howard Nimmo for this wee adventure. With the game in Dunston last Saturday finishing level a replay last night was required. So yesterday I headed for Penrith while my wife headed south by train to meet up with Howie baby.

Howard Nimmo and Mrs Donkin enjoy the sun and the cricket in Scarborough while Mr Donkin heads for Penrith

After the game I travelled across country in the dead of night to Scarborough  so this post is being written in The Doghouse in Scarborough on Thursday morning.

Despite the domestic problems caused by the fixture it was another great game. This is how it all panned out.

Pre match communications: Dunston and Penrith have both been very helpful throughout but this match required very little prep as all Scottish links and club details had been sorted out for the original tie 6/10

Three people in particular from Penrith have helped me throughout this leg of my journey. Many thanks to Stadium announcer Craig McGlashan, midfielder Matthew "Wizzer" Read and Scots Physio Susan Pollock. In the pic below Craig is holding up the 'Fists up for Frankie' sign. Much more about this campaign in the posts that will follow this report.

Matthew "Wizzer" Read limbers up for the match

Craig McGlashan: Stadium Announcer with Scottish name!

Pre match pint: As with the Sunderland RCA game, I headed for the Cross Keys first. Prior to the Sunderland RCA game I had a pint of Tirrels in there and it was nectar. This time the Tirrels served was cloudy and off. I was eventually given Ale Fresco from Greene King as a replacement ... but not good 3/10

Programme: Given that this match was only confirmed on Sat evening it was a good effort to knock out a decent read in 3 days flat. I liked the article on the Northern League - which I now know is the second oldest league in the world. Also a good photo on the cover showing Martyn Coleman scoring Penrith's second goal in the first match between the teams 7/10

Ground: Picturesque  and atmospheric. I have warmed to the Frenchfields. On a balmy night with the floodlights on it was a great place to be. 8/10

Atmoshphere: A great atmosphere inside the ground last night. The biggest attendance on the 'Road' so far with 203 paying customers in attendance. Over 70 of these had travelled over from Gateshead. Many of these had arrived on the same bus as the team and hence checked in at about 6.00 pm and were able to spend some time in the Penrith bar lubricating ttheir vocal chords. No singing yet on the 'Road'  but both sets of supporters offered great vocal encouragement to their favourites. Penrith are a very hospitable club and the Dunston players, officials and supporters were all made very welcome. An evening fixture at any level played under floodlights always has a special atmosphere. 8/10

As the sunsets over the French field Stadium the floodlights are turned on

Scottishness: Sue Pollock the Scots Penrith Physio was once again in attendance. Other than that the bagpipe playing Dunston website editor Ken Fitzpatrick was marked absent. Given the result  from last nights's match then over the next week or so I will be trying to find out if there are any further links between Dunston and Bella Caledonia 6/10

Susan Pollock: The most photogenic Physio in the Northern League

Entertainment: Another great game between two well organised and skilfull teams. Penrith shaded the first half with the muscular, combative Bonny Blues centre forward Martyn Coleman leading the charge. Coleman opened the scoring in the second minute when he latched on to a loose ball in the penalty area to apply a smart finish. Unfortunately the same player blotted his copy book on the half  hour mark when he failed to score from the penalty spot. As a kid growing up I was fascinated by my Dad's many tales of watching Newcastle United in the 1950s. One such story referenced the Newcastle keeper from that era Ronnie Simpson. According to my dad Ronnie would save many penalties by diving one way and kicking out a leg in the other direction to deflect the spot kick to safety. Last night the Dunston keeper Stefan Holden did something of a Ronnie Simpson. Coleman drove the ball down the middle but with the keeper committed to a dive to his left he flicked out a leg in an upward direction to divert the ball for a corner. In the second half Dunston took control and set about clawing back the one goal deficit. Their slick relentless pass and move football was a joy to behold. The Dunston lads are quite happy to pass pass pass until they can probe an opening. Collectively they trust their technique and their ability to control the ball quickly. One such long inventive passing move was finished off in the 61st minute when rapid slick interplay resulted in James Lucock finding himself in splendid isolation in the penalty box and he coolly slotted the ball past the keeper and just inside the far post. With the game heading for extra time, Dunston applied the hammer blow in time added on for stoppages. Lian Thear tried his luck with a shot from outside the box and with the aid of a cruel deflection his strike found the net. Dunston UTS just about deserved to win the tie as they passed Penrith off the park in the final 45 minutes. Great stuff 9/10 (Pics below courtesy of Ben France photography)

Combative Martyn Coleman tussles with Dunston's Dan Capeewell 

Penrith players celebrate the opening goal

Match day catering: still no pies available at the Blues Cafe but the roll and sausage was fine 6/10

Value for Money: Six quid to see a rousing cup tie played out in a beautiful setting with the added drama of a last minute goal. Great 9/10

The je ne sais quoi factor: Last night was a truly memorable occasion. To see the sun setting over the rolling Cumbrian countryside with the match unfolding in the natural amphitheatre that is the Frenchfields Stadium felt very special. This was my first match under floodlights on the 'Road' and matches under the lights always have that je ne sais quoi! I think the cows enjoyed it too. 9/10

Action from the first half and the cows stroll down the hill to take in the match

The lights are on and the action continues apace in the second half

Overall Road to Wembley from Scotland Match Rating 71/100

Before signing off, I feel I have to applaud one last time Penrith AFC. A very friendly well organised club and it was a pleasure to meet Craig McLashan, Wizzer, Susan Pollock, Karl Collinson, Geoff the Cumbrian Groudhopper and ace photographer Ben France. I wish Penrith all the best for the rest of the season and I will follow their results with great interest.

So it will be back to the UTS Stadium on the 3rd September to see Dunston take on Skelmersdale United. It was great to meet Dunston Programme Editor Steve Raith match reporter Tom Clark last night and I am looking forward to following their team once again in early September. Bring on the Skem!

Miles travelled to attend this match 226
Total miles so far on the Road to Wembley from Scotland 708