Penrith v Dunston UTS

Hosts: Penrith FC

LOCATION REPORT

Venue: Frenchfield Stadium, Carleton, Frenchfield, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 8UA

SatNav: CA11 8UA

Parking: huge onsite adjacent parking for 100+ (plus additional spaces on access road + hundreds of spaces at the community pitches next door!)
Public transport: limited service (buses from Carlisle stop on A6/A686)

Entry: adults £6, concessions £3
Programmes: £1

Refreshments: Blues Cafe, a burger van through an opened fence! (eg £1 hot choc, £2.50 bacon butty, burger)

Licensed bar: clubhouse
Toilets: pitchside M+F+accessible
PA system: yes, clearly audible/excellent (music + announcements, subs etc)

Covered stands/terraces:
(W) main stand = c200 seated (plastic flip-up seats)

(E) Walter Brogden Stand = covered, stepped = c150 standing 

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

Floodlights: 4 (corners)

MATCH REPORT

Kickoff: 7:45pm Wednesday 10 April 2019
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division One
Weather: dry, cool, evening sun/going dark, light breeze

Team colours:
Penrith = all ('bonny') blue 

Dunston UTS = all red

Official crowd: 158

Final [h/t] score:
1 [1] Penrith
4 [0] Dunston UTS 

Sent Off: 0

Official League Report

NORVENMUNKI's COMMENTS

Arriving at Frenchfield early in the evening, there's certainly no struggle to park the car. There's absolutely loads of space, not just the main parking adjacent but hundreds of spaces around the public open space covering acres of adjoining land. 
It's all easy to spot from the A66, albeit there's no direct access from the dual-carriageway, so you have to follow the A686 and look for signs near the Cross Keys pub.

The friendly staff are buzzing around and there's that 'end of season' atmosphere; the regulars are looking forward to the 'do' afterwards and there's lots of youngsters around.

The evening sun is dropping low in the west, and long shadows yawn across the pitch.

The main stand is excellent, modern and clean. The rows of blue seats are in the shade, hence I wander around a bit to soak up the sleepy sunbeams.

The opposite covered terrace is named the Walter Brogden Stand. It boasts six randomly scattered plastic office chairs.

There's a big coach over from the north east, with a fair few away fans cheering on the new champions of Dunston UTS. 

The home side, however, are rooted to the foot of the division. A recent run of late-season wins has dragged them back into the fold, but the arrival of imperious Dunston is the biggest challenge of all. 

The threat of relegation may not be hanging over them, thanks to the League having to accommodate for a restructure next season, but the Bonny Blues are determined to show some fighting spirit nonetheless. 

Five minutes to kick off. The stand begins to fill up. 

The PA breaks the music to announce the arrival of the players.

The teams come from either side of the stand from their respective changing rooms.

Worth noting the good PA banter tonight: a jolly-voiced MC congratulates the visitors on their League title (to a meek ripple of applause) and plugs various fundraising events. I always think a good announcer is a key factor in the matchday experience, and I'm often underwhelmed by the lukewarm enthusiasm dredged up by some MCs.

Game on. The floodlights are on from the start; the sunset is on its way.

Four minutes gone and it's 1-0!!!! An early goal for the Blues. Dunston are stunned!

Around me, it's clear that various other groundhoppers are evidently swelling the crowd numbers; grabbing a souvenir trip and photos.

Half time means a coffee from the Blues Cafe, a burger van which parks up in the carpark and operates through an opening in the fence! Ingenious. 

Early in the second half, Dunston equalise. A foul immediately outside area earns a free kick, which is curled over the wall with the Penrith keeper static.

Multi-wheeled HGVs swooping by on the adjacent A66 create a curious tarmac roar. You can almost sense the rippling wave of cheering from a phantom crowd in the south end?

Dunston take the lead. In what looks like a rather soft penalty shout, a busy Dunston striker goes over in the box after bumping into a defender. The home man is not happy, but despite the sense of injustice is compliant. 

The spot-kick is duly drilled home: 1-2.

A while later, there's a free kick for Dunston. This time deservedly, it was a clumsy tackle from the Penrith defender.

This time it's blasted under the feet of the wall as it jumps. Clever. 

The 1-3 scoreline is looking predictable.

In the final moments, Dunston grab a fourth: their first from actual open play. 

The game restarts and the final whistle blows three seconds later. Game over: 1-4.

The PA guy congratulates everyone. 

The home season is now over for Penrith. If it hadn't been for the League circumstances, their survival would be looking precarious tonight.

Driving back up to the main road, it's lampless and pitch black. I take extra care to look for pedestrians in the darkness.

MORE INFORMATION

Club Twitter: @penrithfc