Gateshead vs Truro: Followers journey 914 miles for furthest away match in English soccer historical past

Pre-match there are many sore heads, which most choose to medicate with a free pint being provided by the Fog on the Tyne pub to the primary 100 Truro followers who present up.

Gateshead have the bottom common attendance within the National League, however play in a 11,800-capacity stadium designed to additionally host athletics occasions and gigs.

The residence stands are virtually solely empty, the temperature has dropped, and enamel are chattering on the away terrace as Truro kick off.

The away attendance is 185, larger than standard, partly swelled by these enticed by the novelty of the journey and the presence of some impartial groundhoppers desirous to be a part of historical past.

Truro are uncharacteristically electrical when the match begins. They deservedly lead after 5 minutes by way of Dominic Johnson-Fisher.

After two extra targets are disallowed, they double their lead simply earlier than half-time by way of defender Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose father Mark and brother Alex performed for England throughout their careers.

At half-time the away finish is bedlam.

But after the break Gateshead enhance and rating twice to equalise, the second aim coming within the seventieth minute by way of striker Frank Nouble, who performed within the Premier League for West Ham at the beginning of his senior profession.

Truro have a golden probability to win it in stoppage time, one-on-one with the keeper to beat, however Luke Jephcott places his end extensive.

“I’d have taken a point before kick-off, I suppose,” says Sharon Hinds, a decades-long fan who additionally performed for the membership’s girls’s staff.

“I’d be lost without coming to matches. We’ve been tiny for so long but feel like giants now.

“We’re a correct household that takes care of every when issues are onerous. It’s lovely, actually.”