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.