FA Cup reactions from North East football fans
Fans across the region have reacted on social media to their respective FA Cup ties with seven North East teams scheduled to take part in the second qualifying round between the 15th and 17th of September.
In the only tie which sees two sides in the area face off against each other, National League North debutants South Shields will host Bishop Auckland after the two-blues saw off local rivals West Auckland Town on Tuesday night’s replay.
For ‘The Mariners’ they are “glad it’s a home tie” (@PJKssfcfan on ‘X’), with South Shields fan Chris Dring adding that it is an “excellent draw for both clubs” – a sentiment echoed by Bishop Auckland fan @andrew_g562 who said: “yikes, that’s an incentive” showing respect to their prospective opponents ahead of his sides replay with local rivals West Auckland Town on Tuesday.
Residing in the same league as South Shields, but currently plying their trade at the opposite end of the table, Darlington fans have less optimism with multiple of their fans jesting on social media and congratulating Workington on their progression to the next round. One Quaker supporter was more nuanced, however, with Dale Sanderson writing: “Certainly no easy tie for us currently, but that’s a favourable draw. May get a half-decent away following as well.”
Fellow National League North and County Durham competitors Spennymoor Town will also enter the esteemed competition at this stage with some uncertainty still surrounding their tie with Tuesday night’s replay deciding if they will face Marine or Guiseley.
The final National League North side in the area to enter the draw at this stage are the in-form Blyth Spartans, who suffered a late capitulation on the weekend losing their one-goal lead in the 89th minute and going on to lose 3-1 – a result referenced by ‘X’ user @dellynel in response to Spartans’ announcement of their cup tie Bradford (Park Avenue) saying: “Just don’t do a Boston and we’ll be alright.”
Morpeth Town will play host to former Football League side Southport, whose fans remain optimistic despite a tough start to the season seeing them bottom of the National League North – picking up their first win last Saturday.
With other National League North sides in contention to be drawn against, a relieved Martin Le Roy said he is “very happy” with the draw. Likewise, ‘X’ user @MikeR1mmer01 said: “Not a National League North side so happy. Decent ground from when I last went – impressive to draw a team further north than Blyth.”
The only North East side having to make a journey out of the region is Marske United, who face an ‘underwhelming’ trip to a team they ply their trade against in the Northern Premier League (East) division. “Drawing a team in the same league is always (kind of) underwhelming,” said ‘X’ user @Jake21500384.
