First upward were South Shields of the Northern Premier League Premier Division (level iii in the non-league pyramid) who sit 1 tier higher up Marske from Division One East of the Northern Premier League. South Shields are backed past a wealthy businessman, rich by not-league standards at least, too have recently turned professional. Their meteoric rise was halted by COVID merely the lodge are favourites for the championship this season as well as were height of the league at the time of facing Marske. Despite being heavy favourites, notwithstanding, the visitors were dispatched of three-0 to set up a dwelling necktie alongside National League North side Chester inwards the 3rd qualifying round.
Two divisions to a higher place Marske, Chester did good to come up away alongside a 0-0 draw and were totally outclassed during a replay inwards which Marske hammered them 4-0 on a nighttime when the visitors could have easily had 5 or half dozen if not more. Absolutely incredible stuff.
Marske-by-the-Sea is a fairly uneventful home too "Where'sec that?" is a not uncommon reply when this coastal hamlet merely a few miles south of Middlesbrough too 25 miles due north of Whitby comes upwards in conversation. Thankfully for them, their football social club is simply nigh outset to position them on the map because, as well as I don't want to appear disrespectful, likely aught else will.
I accept zip against Markse it is inward parts a quaint lilliputian village simply inward reality, in all likelihood non a lot happens there. Indeed, for a seaside town/village it is, quite honestly, a lilliputian bit dull. It may live beside the seaside merely you lot tin can hardly call it a seaside resort. It has a beach simply in that location is no pier and the seafront sure isn't lined amongst hotels, amusements, bars together with restaurants. I had a trivial walk downwards myself when I visited together with earlier I'd fifty-fifty reached the seafront, the hustle together with bustle of the hamlet middle had completely disappeared too I establish myself completely on my ain inward a windswept scene of nothingness. But mayhap Marske beach is skillful for domestic dog walking, who knows?
Yes, I know I'm non actually selling the home to yous but the football should win y'all over too for anyone visiting the Teesside area I would definitely observe time for a visit to Marske United. Also, to be fair, although Marske may non have the charm of Whitby downward the coast or razzmatazz of other places by the body of water it is, still, definitely a globe away from the smog and grime industrial Teesside stereotype which other parts of the expanse more than alive upwards to. It does, likewise, accept a beautiful looking erstwhile church as well as, likewise, I managed to become some fantabulous Fish & Chips from a takeaway called Sea Mist in the Village eye. So there you lot get people of Marske, I take at least said a few rattling dainty things most your humble dwelling because all inward all, it ain't too bad actually.
Having defeated Chester, Marske, who sit down nigh the peak of their partition, would take to face Gateshead FC in the fourth together with last qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup alongside the Tynesiders making the l mile drive S for some other all North East affair. The all-ticket gibe would be a complete sell-out alongside a well in a higher place average ane,320 in attendance together with a few pre-correspond arrivals who had not realised this finding they could non get into. Having myself paid inward advance £ten for a ticket online, however, I was all skilful to become.
Marske United'sec domicile ground is called Mount Pleasent too is only a few minutes walk from the hamlet railway station. From said station, yous tin hop on a educate to Middlesbrough a few stops upwards the occupation or remain on until Darlington slightly further afield on the due east coast mainline that runs from London to Edinburgh.
The ground itself is a fairly basic affair merely does accept ane chief seated stand up too some covered terracing. Other facilities include hot food catering serving burgers too pies, teas as well as coffees, and a can bar at 1 cease of the earth too every bit the main bar outside. Getting your manus stamped on entry allows yous dorsum into the stadium if you lot decided to head back out once more to the principal bar which is essentially null more than than an extra-large Portakabin. But in said bar, yous tin, at to the lowest degree, sit down down as well as spotter the half-time scores come up inwards on the goggle box. Nonetheless, the ground has a unique charm that only a non-league earth of such standing can accept too also every bit for alcohol, there are too several pubs inwards the centre of Marske in addition to another one adjacent to the train station.
The fit was a huge occasion for the hosts amongst a place in the first circular proper of the cup at stake as well as there was a raucous atmosphere well earlier kicking-off as I sat reading my copy of the first-class £ii Seasider matchday plan.
At boot-off, I was standing most nearly of the big contingent of unsegregated Gateshead fans who were stood behind the finish. From all sides, the crowd were but as vociferous equally before alongside drums in addition to horns evident from 1 small-scale grouping of habitation supporters at the contrary finish. The Tyne-Tees rivalry was likewise evident as well, particularly from the home followers who chanted 'soft Geordie b***tard' every time a Gateshead actor went downwardly.
Both goalkeepers were inward action early equally there was chances at both ends but every bit the beginning-one-half wore on it was Gateshead who began to take command. The gibe was goalless at half-time, however, in addition to although Marske were probably the better side inward the second-one-half, every bit the game wore on it looked increasingly like the fit would finish in a goalless draw. Unsurprisingly, despite the Gateshead 'keeper existence forced to make a vivid save inward stoppage fourth dimension, 0-0 was ultimately how it ended. Back to Gateshead for a replay.
I right away left at total-time too was able to make it onto the station platform several minutes earlier my prepare arrived. As far equally matchday experiences go this had been a swell afternoon, albeit no uncertainty enhanced by the nature of the occasion. This was all fix in a hamlet that ain't so bad later on all as well as peradventure i solar day I'll live dorsum for some other 90 minutes of on pitch action.
Finally, of course, equally I said earlier, non many people take heard of Marske too indeed the Peterborough United fans who jumped on my develop at Middlesbrough later on a ii-0 defeat at the nearby Riverside Stadium had themselves no clue. But whilst the people of Marske-by-the-Sea will, I'm sure, sometimes claim to alive 'almost Middlesbrough' hopefully continued success for their football game order volition hateful the village of Marske-by-the-Sea can become a advert inward its ain right! After all, as football game trips get yous could make a lot worse than a game inward this village past the sea!
For the tape 555 Marske fans travelled up to Gateshead for the replay just their epic cup go last came to an end equally I witnessed a iii-two win for the hosts.