Second Qualifying Round - 1 October 2011 - Preview

The FA Cup draw becomes less parochial at this stage, and the so called “step 2” teams from the Conference North enter the fray. The four surviving Northern League teams feature in some interesting ties; and in addition Whitby have a home draw.

Blyth Spartans v Bedlington Terriers

Terriers don’t have far to go to near neighbours Blyth, but the Conference North team are three leagues above them in the non-league pyramid. Still, the derby factor makes this an attractive proposition; provided I can face another trip through the Tyne tunnel.

Hebburn Town v Runcorn Linnets

Hebburn have made quiet progress through 3 rounds and are rewarded with a winnable tie against the delightfully named team from the North West Counties league. At least it would be this side of the Tyne.

Ashington v Vauxhall Motors

Ashington also have made quiet progress through 3 rounds, but they have a tough tie against Vauxhall Motors from the Conference North. Home advantage may help offset the three league differential, but the visitors got as far as the first round proper last year before going out to Hartlepool.

Ashton United v Spennymoor Town

Spennymoor have a trip to Greater Manchester to face Northern Premier League Ashton United. I’ll await the replay.

Whitby Town v North Ferriby United

Within easy reach and a pleasant run on a nice day, Whitby’s tie against a fellow NPL team could be an option.

First Qualifying Round 17 September 2011

BEDLINGTON TERRIERS V NEWCASTLE BENFIELD

It’s a pleasant enough day to take to the Great North Road and visit a northern outpost before the snow arrives. Unfortunately most of County Durham seems to be heading that way and the Western bypass grinds to a halt well short of Rusty Rita. The alternative route is via the Tyne tunnel but that too requires a 30 minute crawl before emerging into the Northumberland countryside. Plenty of time to reflect that the uncertainties of the “away trip” – will we get there on time, will we get lost, will we get there at all – are all part of the full football supporter experience.

No, I did not get lost; but I did arrive shortly after kick off and too late to catch the opening goal. As I entered Dr Pit Welfare Park the home team are ahead 1-0. No time to take in the surroundings but I quickly establish that Terriers are in an all red strip and Benfield are in eye catching blue and white hooped shirts.

It looks like a good game with both teams pressing when not in possession, but Benfield are getting some chances. In a five minute spell around the half hour a loose ball is spooned over from 6 yards, a header narrowly clears the bar and a fierce shot threatens the angle. Benfield’s goal suffers no such trauma until just before half time when the Bedlington centre forward Ian Graham chases a ball over the top, outpaces the defenders, controls the bounce and calmly slots past the keeper.

The goal is greeted appropriately by a blast of “Who let the dogs out? Woof woof woof-woof”; and its echoes are still ringing as the first half comes to a close with Bedlington 2-0 to the good.

Time at last to take in the surroundings. The ground is pleasant, with trees on two sides, still in leaf so early in autumn, giving some protection to neighbouring houses. The ubiquitous small grandstand on half way is complemented by a little covered area at one end close to all amenities; inevitably it is labelled the Dog Pound. Pride of place however goes to the smart new electronic scoreboard at one corner, installed courtesy of their American billionaire sponsor Bob Rich. 

As the second half gets underway the early day showers have given way to blue sky and white clouds. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than leaning on a pitch-side rail with the sun on your back watching a good game of football?

Bedlington soon establish control; their forwards are quick and mobile and most importantly the midfield and defence mark tight and give Benfield few passing options. As a result most action is in the Benfield half, but chances are few. Then with 15 minutes to go a hopeful dink into the area enables the speedy Dean Douglas to beat the converging centre half and goal keeper to the ball, leave them in a heap and side-foot a goal for 3-0. Cue the Bedlington woof woof.

Bedlington can now afford to reduce intensity and Benfield, having changed their strike force, carve out a chance. Smart work on the left leaves the Terriers’ keeper exposed and beaten, but a covering defender clears off the line. No such luck at the other end as with a minute to go Mark Convery (familiar from his Darlington days) crosses from the right for Steven Richardson to sweep in at the far post for 4-0, and more barking.

Bedlington are deserved winners; they lived up to their Terrier name by harrying their opponents and denying them space to play. That combined with an impressive ability to convert chances to goals means they move into the next round with some confidence.

First Qualifying Round - 17 September 2011 - Preview

The regionalised draw continues to eliminate Northern League clubs but also ensures their continuing representation into the first qualifying round. However few clubs remain from the south of the region. Billingham Synthonia went out by the odd goal in five at Penrith, but Shildon progressed having narrowly defeated Guisborough despite playing the last 15 minutes with ten men due to a jewellery related incident!

Spennymoor we saw go through, and both they and Shildon are rewarded with a home tie.

Spennymoor Town v Dunston UTS

Spennymoor are neither scoring nor conceding many goals currently. Dunston put four past Durham City in the last round. These two drew 0-0 at Dunston on Saturday so another tight game could be in prospect.

Shildon v Ashington

Both teams have made quiet progress with a couple of 1 goal victories, and they both sit mid table, so again it could be a close tie.

Bedlington Terriers v Newcastle Benfield or South Shields

A trip to Northumberland is strangely attractive. Bedlington are scoring for fun at home, beating Billingham Town 6-0 in the previous round, and having put 25 past Stokesley in two games. The opponents need to finish their tie having drawn 1-1 and then abandoned the first attempt at a replay when floodlights failed.

Preliminary Qualifying Round 3 September 2011

SPENNYMOOR TOWN V SUNDERLAND RCA

Arriving early at Brewery Field it is evident that black & white are the team colours. The ground looks in transition from old and tired to neat and tidy; a 300-seater main stand and fully covered terracing behind one goal face up to crumbling concrete steps and railing posts, but all smartly painted black and white. That covered terrace may come in handy as it is a grey September day with occasional spots of rain.

The squads are doing their warming up drills, as are the referee and assistants, a couple of whom look refreshingly young. The public address is in full steam under the control of a wanabee DJ who regularly interrupts tracks in an attempt to provide banter with the home supporters and players. Usefully, he asks the children to get off the pitch, but the assistant referees carry on with their warm up.

The pitch looks well grassed with a steeper than standard non-league slope. More persistent rain is now falling which should give a good slick surface for two in-form northern league teams. Spennymoor are champions for the last two seasons but RCA have started the better in 2011-12. The teams come out to a familiar Dire Straits theme, Spennymoor in black & white stripes, so it could easily be St James’ Park. Sunderland are in an away strip of day-glo yellow shirts and blue shorts. A minute’s silence, for a recently deceased Sunderland past president, is immaculately observed apart from the burger bar generator that chugs remorselessly throughout.

Spennymoor play down the slope in the first half. Both teams close down their opponents quickly and a competitive ten minutes ensue before a pattern of play develops. Sunderland have two big lads up front and are content to pump diagonal balls in to them. They are a handful for the Spennymoor centre halves, including Steve Foster, last seen marshalling Darlington’s defence in League 2. Spennymoor’s approach is more subtle, using another ex-Darlo player, Anthony Peacock, to probe to good effect the space behind a very high defensive line.

RCA’s approach draws the first save of the match and then a header narrowly clears the bar; but by the half hour Spennymoor are turning on some stylish football, threatening with a succession of crosses and corners. From one of these a clearance only finds the Spennymoor right back Harwood, who hits a 25 yard screamer into the corner of the net for well merited 1-0 lead.

Further chances accrue as the Sunderland left back is outpaced repeatedly but without damage to the score line. Bizarrely, in a rare foray up field, the same player surges past his tormentor and crosses dangerously. A Spennymoor defender stoops to chest clear but the referee judges it, somewhat harshly, as handball and a penalty. Five minute from half time it is a get out of jail card but the firmly hit kick is well saved by the keeper low to his right.

So half time arrives with Spennymoor deservedly ahead having played the better football; but Sunderland RCA are by no means out of it as their high balls into the goalmouth are a constant threat.

At the opening of the second half RCA press down hill and within 15 minutes have forced a good save and have hit the post with well struck shots. Spennymoor seem to find it harder to play their football uphill, and can no longer keep possession. This leads to a scrappier half with RCA having more of the ball. Their constant probing at the centre of the defence is telling, and they look likely to equalise; but when they do get past Foster and his fellow central defender, they find the keeper well positioned to block all efforts.

By the time the game enters the last ten minutes the RCA storm has been weathered and Spennymoor can again maintain possession and carve out a chance or two of their own without adding to the score. They do however comfortably play out time for a win less deserving than their half time lead, but still sufficient to seal a passage into the first qualifying round.