Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics Vs Newcastle Blue Star

For the second preliminary round of the FA Cup the Star took the short trip to play Benfield away at the Sam Smiths stadium.

Benfield who currently play in the Alngrove Northern League First Division had suffered two defeats in the build-up to Saturdays Tyneside clash thus Blue Star were the favorites going into the game. And, for the first 35 minutes we proved why. Star played some fantastic football and really piled on the pressure, which was rewarded in the 13th minute when winger David McTiernan gave us the lead.

But then 6 minutes before half time Star defender Leon Scott got sent off for a foul on Paul Buzzeo. This came as a massive blow and 3 minutes later just before half-time Benfield pulled back the equalizer through Anthony Shandran. But this wasn't all; Ben Webster and David McTiernan had to be substituted for the second half due to injuries, this was start of Blue Star's downfall.

Then with extra time looming disaster struck, Mark Atkinson pinpointed a corner and our own defender Derek Townsley side-footed the ball into his own net whilst attempting to clear. The game finished 2-1 to Benfield.

Tommy Cassidy told the Evening Chronicle "We murdered them for 35 minutes but then had Leon Scott sent off. At half time I had to substitute Ben Webster and David McTiernan, and to say it was a bit chaotic in the dressing room is a gross under-statement. Even so, I thought we played some excellent football, and if we play like that we'll be okay."