International Stadium Saturday, October 6th, 2018 k/o 15:00   National League Attendance: 687         Gateshead 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
2018 /19

Comments :

Long train journey but lovely sunny day once north of Wigan. Slight hiccough in missing my connection at Carlisle (by 4 minutes) meaning an hour wait for the next train and then a taxi to the stadium (instead of planned walk). But still got there with 9 minutes to spare so bought a scarf and took my seat. Being an athletics stadium it feels almost desolate with just 687 fans packed into the main stand on one side and the rest completely empty. And with the pitch sat some way away in the middle of the running track it a bit like I was secretly spying on a private match. But the weather was good and sunny and the crowd were committed and passionate but soft and gentle. Even a shot of you twat was met with a stern rebuke of language!!. Actually I was struggling to understand most of what was said. I love the accent but, until my ear had attuned to it, I couldn't make out a word. By half time, though, I was chatting away to a trio of old boys sat next to me. Very pleasant indeed. And the game was good too. Have to say Dagenham were utterly awful but Gateshead played well for the most part and deserved their win. I did walk back to Newcastle (about half an hour) in more glorious sunshine although the wind by now was cutting and cold. Snapped a few wonderful pictures crossing the Tyne then settled into my first (of two) trains home enjoying a glorious sunset over beautiful Northumbrian countryside. A half hour change at Carlisle then two more hours to Crewe that passed in a flash. Home by 22:15. So a long days (13 hours door to door) but a lovely lovely day, Smile.