Off to Gateshead tomorrow

[Giggy of Telford]

Looks like I have my plans for getting to Gateshead tomorrow for the playoff final sorted. I was always going to make sure i was there, however I hadn't fully decided how I'd do it.

The original plan had been a train from Leicester (where I'm at uni) to Newcastle, then the metro to Gateshead International Stadium. However it turns out my parents and sister are driving up, it takes longer overall, however is a lot cheaper for me to take a train to Telford, jump in the car at the station and drive up. this means i just have to buy my usual ticket for coming home for a weekend, £16.25. The train to Newcastle from Leicester would set me back over £50, that's with my student railcard.

Luckily my plans are made easier by finishing early this Friday, midday instead of the usual 4pm. Gives me 15 minutes to get to the station, travel back to Telford, drive up to Gateshead and then back to Telford after the game. About 550 miles in total which I think is a record for me without leaving the country.

Currently somewhere between extremely exicted and dead nervous. By kickoff will probably be leaning a lot more towards the latter.

[robotsmfc]

Good luck Giggy, although I'm hoping for purely selfish reasons Gateshead win

I hope you have a really good night anyway

[thevicar]

Goog luck Giggy, I can confirm that this playoff final stuff is no fun at all. Far too nerve wracking.

[amberaleman]

I see the Geordies won 1-0.

Maybe AFC Telford will benefit from another season consolidating in BS North.

I expect Gateshead to struggle in the Premier, especially as the guy who's scored most of their goals is set to leave.

[Meadow]

Aw, sorry Giggy. Maybe next year.

[Giggy of Telford]

It was a close game, either team could have won it but as the game wore on it looked like one goal was going to seal it for either team. First half we shaded it and were only denied a 1-0 lead by a superb double-save by the Gateshead keeper from Danny Carey-Bertram's initial header and then the followup shot.

Second half Gateshead came into it more, they made a substitution and their number 12 seemed to turn things around a bit. Disaster struck in last 15 minutes when first right-back Lee Vaughan was sent off for a second bookable offence. I missed the first booking but presumably it was for repeated fouls, second was a fairly clear handball and in fairness not even Vaughan argued the red card. Gateshead then scored from what I thought was a very harsh free kick decision, though I was always going to say that I guess.

Obviously disappointed and it certainly took the shine off the day, however I don't begrudge Gateshead the win. They have had a brilliant debut season in this league and I wish them all the best next season.

And with that said I'm off to sulk a bit more...

[ambersalamander]

Bad luck

Maybe we'll both do it next time!

[Sultan of Cannock- SRFC]

Poor Giggy and i'd made a celebratory banner for you, too.

Never mind, i've modified it for you so it can be used any time ;D

[glow=Blue,7,300]CONGRATULATIONS AFC TELFORD ON YOUR PROMOTION THIS NEXT SEASON [/glow]

From what i've seen of Conny Norf this year, not only was i astonished to see Gateshead come second in the League but absolutely dumbfounded that they got through the play-offs.

I would've bet my house on either Southport or Telford to see them off, especially after seeing our rag,tag and bobtail outfit crush them 4-1 at Marston Road!

Gutted as i am for Giggy, a little selfish part of me is glad to see the back of Gateshead (450 mile round trip with few fans making the trip either way) and at least one more season of AFCT bringing about 800 fans down to Stafford over Xmas putting vital monies through the turnstiles to keep us going!