On this day – 31 July
Reds have seen plenty of pre-season action on the 31st July in years gone by with results good, bad and indifferent…….
2004
Northern League champions Dunston FB made their first ever visit to Borough Park in this year and emerged deserved winners against Tommy Cassidy’s side.
They were 2-0 ahead before Simon Tucker scored our late consolation goal.
2003
Carlisle United’s Craig Farrell scored two goals in quick succession as we lost 2-0 to the Cumbrians in the annual Borough Park encounter.
We didn’t have the fire power to get back into the game after those strikes early in the second half, although Robert Ennis came close with a cracking shot that rattled the crossbar.
2001
Our best win on this day was at Crook Town where we recorded an emphatic 4-0 success against the Northern League Second Division outfit.
Glenn Murray opened the scoring with a header and Graham Goulding doubled the advantage with a close range finish before half time.
Reds continued to dominate after the break and Goulding’s second, and goal of the match, made it three with Gary Milne concluding the scoring.
1999
Borough Park hosted a ‘triangular tournament’ over a very hot weekend with Colchester United, Gateshead and Reds taking part.
We took on Mick Wadsworth’s Colchester on the Saturday and came very close to causing an upset, holding the League Two outfit to a 1-1 draw.
Barry Irving marked his debut by putting Reds ahead with the Essex side levelling matters through David Gregory’s last minute strike.
Prior to kick-off, chairman Bill Wilson (pictured) presented an engraved crystal bowl to Colchester United officials to thank them for their participation.
1996
Carlisle United’s full first team squad recorded a narrow 1-0 success at Borough Park but Wayne Harrison’s Reds ran them close, giving a good account of themselves over the ninety minutes.
Steve Hayward scored the only goal of the game, direct from a free kick, but the same player also blasted a penalty over the bar.
The welcome away support boosted the crowd to 770.
1994
We ventured into the Scottish Borders for a first ever meeting against Gala Fairydean and finished deserved, albeit narrow, 3-2 winners.
The Galashiels team opened the scoring but Reds’ skipper, Danny Wheatley, equalised via the spot and two Martin Henderson goals confirmed our superiority.
1993
Local Furness team, Barrow Wanderers, invited us to play a charity game with all proceeds donated to a Barrow children’s home.
The match was a one sided affair and Reds strolled to a 3-0 victory with debutant, Martin Henderson, scoring all three goals.
1992
Scottish club, Albion Rovers, visited West Cumbria for a Friday night fixture before completing their mini-tour with a game at Lancaster City on the Saturday.
The Borough Park clash resulted in a 1-1 draw with trialist, Lee Butler, netting Reds’ second half equaliser.
1990
Former players, Ian Hall and Kenny Wallace, were in charge of a Windscale United team that took on Reds at Borough Park.
We squandered chance after chance but netted twice in the first half to win 2-0.
Graham Emerson and Martin Robinson netted a goal apiece.
1986
The summer clash versus Carlisle United was played at Borough Park ‘BEHIND CLOSED DOORS’.
Scott McGarvey scored the only goal of match, a penalty, as United eased to victory.
1982
Reds shared six goals in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Fleetwood Town.
John Smith emerged as our man-of-the-match after bagging a well taken hat-trick.
1981
There was another Borough Park first when Northern Ireland side, Bangor, travelled to Cumbria.
It was a worthwhile trip for the Irish who were impressive 3-0 winners.
A few weeks later, we played Welsh side, Bangor City, at home!
