WHAT a wonderful record-breaking day it will be if all goes well on Saturday.

I cannot wait until the 5.15pm kick-off at home to Dover.

Dare I make a suggestion to mastermind Ady Pennock? Put James Norwood on the bench.

He is a proven goalscorer and match-changer and as such may be needed. I think the team ethic will carry us through but James is a wonderful insurance policy.

Saturday at Gateshead was a true team performance. An early Gateshead goal, as untidy as it was unwelcome, did not deter Pennock’s team.

The next four goals were scored by FGR making the game safe, and there were some good ones among them. The first goal showed many of the team's qualities. 

Captain David Pipe's high cross caused the Gateshead goalkeeper to hesitate and two defenders likewise. Kurtis Guthrie, with a true striker's greed, grabbed the opportunity and smashed the ball home. His opportunity, bravely taken, summed up the attitude of the whole team. Never give up!

There was time for silky skills as well. Stuart Fleetwood and Rob Sinclair indulged in some clever passes. Rob weaved into the penalty area, leaving defenders in his wake, and sent a delightful chip over the goalkeeper's head.

Jon Parkin was as energetic and effective as ever in both attack and defence, thumping in a penalty and adding an opportunist goal. Goalkeeper Steve Arnold also deserves special mention.

There was some disagreement, in both the press box and on the coach trip home about whether he was to blame over the first goal. But after that he was outstanding, looking every inch a first class keeper.

Conceding a penalty in injury time was a silly mistake. The otherwise admirable Charlie Clough has done this before. He clearly pushed a Gateshead player just inside the area, and a goal dented our goal difference.

Warm though the welcome is at Gateshead I do not care for the ground. In many places on the pitch the top soil was loose and dry, being comparable to a well-prepared onion bed. In others it was bobbly.

Whatever happens it has been a wonderful season. The club seems united in every way.

Chairman Dale Vince is a man of vision and dreams and who better than the prince of pragmatists, manager Pennock, to carry them out?