1893/94 Season - March

The weather was grand, if a little blowy and the turf was - unusually - in excellent condition. There were only 1,000 there at the start although the crowd had doubled by half-time. Walsall played downhill first off and a fairly even game commenced.

A Jeffrey penalty and a twenty yarder from Crate secured the victory. Crate could have scored again just before the end but ballooned an easy chance over the bar "amid considerable laughter".

The victory took United within a point of third placed Small Heath and two of second placed Notts County; however both of them had two games in hand.

United and Burslem had played an excellent match in the League and the United directorate figured they would provide attractive friendly opposition. Captain Graham was rested (first game he had missed in 2 years) but in very warm weather United cantered home with goals from Crate, Quinn, Willis (2), Thompson and Wallace

Good Friday brought struggling Crewe, who had lost eight out of nine on their travels, to Tyneside. They were regarded as one of the heaviest teams in the League and despite their problems the Alexandra supporters were very proud of the fact that their eleven were all English and all amateurs.

It was a sultry day and a bumper crowd turned up even though there were many alternative attractions within the vicinity. Indeed throughout the match the "strains of a lively brass band" could be easily heard.

Due to the masses of people turning up the kick off was delayed to 3.30. United - once again sporting the county colours - opted to play up the incline in the first half. Play was even, but at half-time Alexandra were surprise leaders.

Playing down the slope the homesters gradually gained the ascendancy although it was a while before they finally turned the tables.

Unfortunately both the teams directly above United (Small Heath and Notts County) also won leaving us three points behind a play-off place with only two games left. As our goal difference was also inferior it meant we were almost certainly out of contention.

The next day United played their fifth home game in a row and their final home match of the season. A dramatic slump in the attendance was a reflection of the fact that promotion was well nigh impossible.

According to the Newcastle Daily Chronicle it was a poor game "and elicited no interest out of the common". But it was United's eleventh home victory in a row in the League.

Small Heath and Notts County both won and therefore a play-off place was now mathematically impossible. However there was still some hope as there was talk that the First Division might be increased from sixteen to twenty teams allowing more teams to be promoted. In the end this was not to happen for a few years yet.

United played the Leicester Fosse - a Midland League side that would be elected to the League in the next season - and suffered a two goal defeat.

The "weather was of a glorious description" on Cup Final day when "The Washers" visited Tyneside for the second time that season. However there were other attractions that kept the crowds away. It was not an exciting game but second half goals from Crate, Wallace and Law secured a comfortable victory.

It could have been many more but fore the capital play of Ord between the sticks. Athletic News reported that "Oliver also played fairly well at times for the losers, but was unnecessarily rough at times, and the way he fouled Willis when the latter had him fairly beaten, raised the ire of the crowd".

It was one of "The Washer's" last matches as the club folded soon after.