Dunston get ready for away trip to Marske United

Its Fa Cup weekend and my FA cup team Dunston UTS head to Redcar to play Marske United in the first qualifying round.

Dunston Played Marske in the first game of this season, although they had home advantage The Fed fell to a 3-1 defeat to the Seasiders.

Dunston come into this game on the back of a 1-0 win against Bedlington last week that had propelled The Fed to top of the Northern League division 1 table.  Confidence should be high and no doubt morale is very good as UTS ready themselves for some more FA Cup glory, with Scott Fenwick looking to add to his total of four FA Cup goals already this season.

Marske currently sit in 3rd in the league 2 points behind The Fed,  however the Seasiders from Redcar have 3 games in hand on their rivals.  This game could be a tricky one and being at home could give Marske the edge in what looks to be a close encounter.

Marske have won their last 3 games in the league scoring 8 goals in the process.  Jamie Owens, Reece Kelly and Fred Woodhouse could cause The Fed some problems as they have scored 8, 7 and 5 goals respectively in all competitions.  All three of these players have helped themselves to 3 goals each in the FA Cup so far.

Marske have beaten Billingham town 7-1 and Armthorpe Welfare 4-1 to reach this stage of the competition.

After having a look around Dunston's website I found that former Newcastle and Czech goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek is an Honorary vice president of the club.  Pavel who is a goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague took on the roll in the close season.  Its good to see a former professional putting sometthing back into football and it must be a big boost to the club to have a former Premier league and International footballer as part of their set up.  He is apparently raising funds by taking part in goalkeeping schools and public speaking events for the club.  His name alone should bring the punters in and hopefully raise some money for the non league club.

Former Geordie favourite holds a post at Dunston UTS

So back to tomorrow and as I said it looks like a tough game on paper.  Hopefully it'll be another win for Dunston and they continue to get through the rounds, but I think in the Seasiders they will be up it against especially with United's free scoring of late.

Up The Fed !!