February 8th 1896 and United (6th) are due to play Burton Wanderers (2nd) at St James' Park in League Division 2. The last game between the sides had resulted in a sensational 9-0 defeat for The Novocastrians; their worst ever defeat.
Roughly 7,000 people lined the barriers (about average for that time) waiting for the two teams to take the field inspite of the inclement state of the elements. The sky was completely overcast by ominous clouds of a decidedly watery description, while a gustful wind blew diagonally across the field from the north-west, which rendered matters far from pleasant for the spectators.
The conditions underfoot were of a more favourable character. The pitch was undoubtedly soft, but the effects of the roller were easily discernible, and it was evident that the executive had spared no pains to have the going as fine as possible.
The game was advertised to start at 2.45 and at the allotted time the Newcastle side (keeper Henderson, backs McDermidd and Foyers, half-backs Miller, Stott and Graham and forwards Lennox, Collins , McDonald, Aitken and Wardrope) tripped into the arena, being greeted with warm applause.
The United team began to warm-up, but the opposition failed to appear and it was speedily apprehended that something had gone wrong.
Enquiries were made and it was ascertained that only six Burton players had arrived; the others had missed their connection at Sheffield. The Newcastle players approached referee Mr Cowley claiming that the match should be awarded to Newcastle. However, although nothing was certain, it was believed that the rest of the team would arrive by 3.30pm and the decision was taken to delay the kick-off.
The players left the pitch and the crowd waited, displaying the most commendable patience.
Shortly before 3.30pm the Newcastle players returned to the field, followed a couple of minutes later by eight of the Burton team (not including the keeper) and the match commenced. The Burton captain lost the toss amd Newcastle had the decency to choose to kick up the hill in the first half.
Within minutes a long low shot by defender Graham beat the custodian and notched the first point for United.
At 3.45 the first of the missing lot, namely Watts, the regular goalkeeper, turned up and immediately took up his position under the crossbar, attired in ordinary long trousers and jersey. A couple of minutes later, the remaining two arrived having kitted themselves out.
Thus United only had one goal for their early numerical advantage as they had taken things easily and only when the opposition was up to their full quota did their tactics become more vigorous.
Initially it was United who continued to dominate the game and kept Burton's custodian well occupied, but the Wanderers gradually worked their way back into the game and their attack became more spirited. They hit the bar and had another goal chalked off for offside.
A remarkably fast play next became the rule, and the excitement grew in intensity as both sides pressed in turn, but there were no further goals in the first period. The players retired from the field and the visitors were cordially applauded for their plucky stand under such unfortunate circumstances.
In the second half custodian Watts now had his kit on, but United had both the incline and the wind in their favour and they laid siege to the Burton goal. Lennox soon scored a brace. The first a flying kick banged into the net, the second following a splendid piece of combined play brought to a magnificent conclusion by swinging the ball into the net.
There were more chances for both sides and United had a goal disallowed whilst Burton defender Hanford elicited tremendous cheering when he blocked an Aitken stinger. United added a fourth just before the end; Graham scoring his second (his only goals of the season).
Burton Wanderers custodian Charles Watts, who would later sign for Newcastle.