A CUP OF TEA AT THE MATCH

Another cold morning so I made sure I had fed the birds before going out.  There was some bacon fat among the scraps and this proved to be very popular.  I saw some magpies feeding as well as the usual pigeons, collared doves, blackbirds and an assortment of small birds.

My bus to Newcastle came on time and was quite empty.  I got off the bus outside Savers and nipped in for a few things.  Then I walked up to St James Park. I've added an Extra of the lovely sky I saw as just as I arrived at the football ground. 

I was confronted by massive queues at every turnstile.  Joined the end of the one I always use - number 39.  It wasn't easy to find the end of the queue as it doubled back on itself. Took ages to get to the front.  The music that accompanies the teams coming out was playing before I even got into the ground.  However I did reach my seat seconds before kick off.

Newcastle were playing Bromley in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.  Bromley play in League 2 so of course Newcastle were expected to win this match..  So it was a shock start to the game when Bromley scored after only 8 mins.  The Newcastle players seemed " fast asleep ".  Good job they got themselves together and on the 18th min Lewis Miley for Newcastle got the ball in the net.  He's only 18 and doesn't get a game very often so it was great to see him on the scoresheet ( and he went to the same school as I did in Stanley ).

So the score was 1 - 1 at half time.  I always stretch my legs at half time but never buy any refreshments.  When I got back to my seat the young couple to the left of me had bought me a cup of tea.  Well anyone who knows me knows I don't drink tea.  I don't like tea.  But of course I couldn't say that to this kind couple.  So then I had to wrestle with a hot cup of tea, try to get the lid off, try to  open the sachets of sugar and milk and stir the tea... and put the lid back on. Whilst faffing on doing all this Newcastle scored and I missed it.  Anthony Gordon had  scored a penalty. (Ive watched it online since I got home ) So now I had to drink the tea.  It wasn't nice.  I didn't drink all of it.  Took my blip shot after the match just before I emptied the leftover tea in a sink in the ladies and put the cup in the rubbish. Nice cup though isn't it.

Back to the match.  Newcastle managed to score another goal on the 81st minute - William Osula - another youngster ( aged 21 ) who doesn't get a game very often. Final score Newcastle 3 Bromley 1.  So Newcastle are through to the next round and will play Birmingham in an away fixture on 8th February.

Headed straight for the bus stop after the match and didn't have long to wait for a bus... and I got a good seat.  However this bus only got as far as Gateshead... and then it broke down.  Everybody had to get off and wait for another bus.  Some passengers could get on alternative buses but I had to wait for another Number One.  Fortunately the wait was only around 10 mins and the next bus had enough spare seats for the extra passengers.

Its been a cold day so I was glad to get home and get warmed up.  After my meal I fell asleep for a while so I didn't get the chance to watch Dancing On Ice. Its been recorded though so I will catch up with it tomorrow.

Steps today - 6,756