FA CUP DERBY FOR THE HEED

The Chronicle Est 1885 and incorporating the Evening World. Published by ncjMedia, 2nd Floor, INTU Eldon Square, Eldon Court, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7JB, and printed by Reach Printing Services (Teesside) Limited. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office

IT seems Dunston UTS manager Chris Swailes can do no wrong at the moment.

In the aftermath of his side’s shock FA Cup win over Chester, the three-time FA Vase winner admitted he wanted former club Gateshead in the fourth qualifying round of the competition.

That is exactly what he got as the two neighbouring clubs were plucked out of the velvet bag alongside each other.

Swailes, still clearly in shock, spoke to the Chronicle in the aftermath of the draw and admitted it is the biggest possible tie for the clubs and the region.

He said: “Superb, superb, a great derby.

“It is a tough game, they are doing brilliantly this season and Steve Watson is doing a great job there.

“They will unquestionably be the favourites because they are going great guns in the National League right now.

“What a tie for the region, it is a huge game for the area and we are absolutely delighted to be welcoming them to Dunston for a competitive game. It could not be any bigger.”

Dunston UTS have already made more than £35,000 from their cup run and the tie should guarantee another bumper crowd at their UTS Stadium home.

Swailes is hopeful the attendance will exceed the 873 who watched the win over Chester and admitted the tie is a dream for him personally.

He added: “We had a great tie for the Chester game and the attendance was fantastic.

“This could draw more than that and I got the tie I wanted.

“I said it post-match on Saturday, I wanted Gateshead, as one of my former clubs.

“I could not believe it when I was sat at work and we came out with them.

“Wow, I am struggling to get my head around the fact.

“It is another huge day for the club.”