Below the 92: Dunston UTS v Ashington

Hosts: Dunston UTS FC

LOCATION REPORT

Venue: The UTS Stadium, Wellington Road, Dunston, Gateshead NE11 9JL

SatNav: NE11 9JL

Parking: tight on-site space for c40 cars; adjoining on-street (on various nearby roads)
Public transport: Dunston railway station (13 mins, 0.7m); various buses stop close by (eg #49 or #49a Gateshead-Winlaton)

Entry: adults £4, concessions £2
Programmes: £1

Refreshments: The Tuck Shop (eg £1 tea/coffee, £1.40 cheeseburger, £1.20 giant hotdog)
Licensed bar: clubhouse
Toilets: pitchside block M&F
PA system: yes (clearly audible)

Covered stand:

(N) main Stand = c240 (c200 seated on benches + c40 on plastic flip seats)

Covered terrace:

(S) The Tommy Cooney Stand = covered standing, stepped = 150+ extra

Open viewing:
(all sides) hardstanding + lean-on barriers all round

Floodlights: 8 (4 per flank)

MATCH REPORT

Kickoff: 7:30pm Wednesday 2 April 2019
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division One
Weather: still, dry, cold, cloudy

Team colours:
Dunston UTS = all-blue

Ashington = black-and-white stripes

Official crowd: 324

Final [h/t] score:
0 [0] Dunston UTS
0 [0] Ashington

Sent Off: 0

Official League Report

NORVENMUNKI's COMMENTS

There's only one place to be tonight: the UTS Stadium is bracing itself for a celebration.

Dunston UTS are league leaders and a victory tonight will guarantee the title and promotion to the Northern Premier League for the first time.

The friendly old chaps on the gate are snuggled under the plastic bus shelter.

One calls the faithful to service with a lovely touch of self-belief: "get your LAST Northern League programme tonight!"

As a further reward, it's discounted entry price.

There are a few faces dotted around the main stand, but the terrace opposite is largely empty as I arrive. It slowly fills up around me with excited regulars.

In the background, I can hear the screech of a distant train on the riverside track leading down from the Metrocentre.

There are two mobile phone masts erected in the grassed outfield. Some youngsters are playing kickabouts.

There a various tall trees in the perimeter, with the housing estate beyond.

Your attention is drawn subconsciously to the constant rumbles of passing traffic on the road outside.

The players come out. The visitors form a guard of honour, clapping the Dunston team onto the pitch.

The crowd is also clapping proudly, the echoes volleying around the place.

The PA system is crystal clear as the full team sheets are announced.

Game on.

The floodlights are on from the start, on this gloomy evening. I notice that one of the bulbs has blown; they'll have to fix that for next season.

Rain begins to spit as the halftime break approaches. A feint red sky hangs over the brow of the faraway residential hillside.

It's properly dark now: the lights of the cafe burning in the corner, drawing in the faithful to coffee and hotdogs.

Half time. The PA announces 'Half-time score, nils each" and reminds everyone that the League trophy presentation will be in front of "the press box" after the final whistle.

As if anyone would forget?!

I go to swap over to sit in the stand, as the second half begins.

The PA announces the crowd of 324 (including me) and, just as excitedly, the winning prize draw numbers (not me!).