With Newcastle Blue Star’s first Emirates FA Cup game in the club’s modern era ending with a 2-1 win at North Shields, success in the Extra Preliminary Round a couple of weeks ago not only means further knockout progress but also the opportunity to make history this weekend.
History that comes in Scotswood playing host to FA Cup football for the first time since its doors were opened in 2018 and to help play a part in such a special occasion, it is North Ferriby who will play the role of opponents.
An opponent who due to their Step 4 placing within the non-league ladder were not required to break sweat in the previous round of the competition. Instead, they have been patiently waiting for the winner of the recent clash between North Shields and Newcastle Blue Star to present itself.
The end of July saw Marc Nash’s men go behind in the first half in North Shields, only to then use their heads when it mattered most. A headed equaliser just minutes before the break would soon be matched by a headed winner deep into the second half.
A comeback victory that was sandwiched between impressive league wins against Easington and West Auckland and after earning promotion from the Northern League Division Two just a couple of months ago, it is fair to say that the club are looking comfortable within their new surroundings.
However, those new surroundings are sometimes tricky to navigate and with defeats against Marske United and Guisborough Town already in the history books, it is also a reminder that the season’s learning curve is going to be steep at times.
While you could also say that this weekend’s knockout learning curve could potentially be a steep one. With North Ferriby plying their trade in the Northern Premier League One East, they will be looking to return to the East Riding of Yorkshire having avoided a cup upset.
Of course, the magic of the cup is not just sprinkled when the big boys enter the picture. That magic can be appear at any point of the competition – be it a Preliminary Round clash in August or a Third Round fixture the following January.
North Ferriby’s own league campaign has only just begun and it has begun with defeat to Bradford (Park Avenue) and victory over Sherwood Colliery. This means Saturday’s visitors will be keen to build on Tuesday's 3-2 win over the latter.
Something which sets up this upcoming clash rather nicely. A warm welcome goes out to the visiting North Ferriby team and support and for those who lend their voice to the home team, make sure to bring the noise throughout.
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Read the North Ferriby programme from the last time the two sides met back in September 2008 here.
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