The famous Newcastle Road enclosure staged its final match when Sunderland entertained English Cup Winners Nottingham Forest to conclude their fixtures for the 1897-98 season. Prior to the match a Northern Alliance fixture had been played and it was 3-40pm before the teams came onto the field. Just before the start the teams were photographed in front of the grandstand (see picture below) . The weather was fine though dull and the ground was in splendid condition when Sunderland won the toss and elected to kick towards the road end.

A crowd of around 12,000 saw Benbow kick off and almost immediately Sunderland dashed into the Forest half. Morgan had the ball and slipped it through to Chalmers who opened the scoring from close range in the 1st minute of the game. A tremendous outburst of cheering greeted the goal and straight from the kick off Sunderland took the play back into the Forest goalmouth. They were checked momentarily by the visiting halfbacks who got the ball up to the centre circle but Sunderland soon forced their way back again.

Brown took a pass from Leslie and sent a shot over the bar before Forest finally pushed the home attackers back to the halfway line. Spouncer got possession and raced away but Wilson got in a tackle and Dunlop completed the job by putting the ball out for a corner. Lee cleared and Leslie took the ball farther away from the home goal. Spouncer got the ball again and was making off at speed when Wilson intervened and lifted the ball over half the length of the field with a huge kick to rapturous applause.

Forest got into Sunderland territory but did not tarry long before Sunderland were moving forward again and Prince crashed a shot against the crossbar. The ball hovered around the Forest goal until a fine bit of work by Allsop got it clear. Forest then had a turn and Spouncer dashed away but Morgan intercepted and got the ball to Leslie. Brown was streaking through and Leslie whipped the ball in to him but he was running in too fast and the ball bounced up against his chest and went out of play.

The goal kick took play to the home end but Wilson was always where he was needed and beat off the rush himself. A mistake by Prince let in Spouncer who beat Morgan but was then pulled up by Dunlop. Brown and Prince tried to break but McInnes robbed Prince and got the ball away. Foreman fouled Chalmers and Wilson sent the free kick into the goalmouth where it rebounded off Browns back to Prince who fired over the bar. A brief raid by Forest ended with Spouncer shooting past the post and then McInnes got the ball from the goal kick and shot right into Doig’s hands.

Leslie got possession, dashed up the field and when challenged by Scott slipped the ball to Brown who tried a shot at goal. Allsop tried to intercept but failed and the ball travelled on into the net for Sunderland’s 2nd goal. Straight from the kick off Sunderland launched a determined attack that Forest found impossible to resist. After Allsop had saved in marvellous fashion Wragg failed to get the loose ball away and in a twinkling Leslie had rattled in Sunderland's 3rd goal. A minute later and Morgan banged in a shot that struck the bar and was scrambled away to safety by Allsop.

Wilson checked McPherson and then Prince made a run and got the ball to Chalmers who scored a splendid 4th goal for the home side just before the break. On the restart Forest, with nothing to lose rushed into the Sunderland half and Spouncer missed a good chance and in the next minute Doig had to save from Benbow. Soon afterwards Benbow struck the bar as Forest tried desperately to salvage something from the game. Sunderland raided and Chalmers was just getting away nicely when he was stopped by Scott who returned the ball strongly.

Foreman sent a shot high over the bar and then Forest forced a corner that Capes put past the post. A spell of even play followed until Morgan and Leslie raced away. Chalmers got possession and fired in a rare shot that went just over the bar. Morgan won a corner that was cleared only as far as Dunlop who sent a shot into Allsop's hands. Another shot followed immediately from Leslie but Prince spoiled it by getting in the way. Play moved to the home end where Capes put a shot past the post.

A spell of midfield play followed and then McAllister brought a save from Allsop before Benbow tested Doig in a sharp Forest attack. Chalmers headed on to Prince put Brown in for a shot that was saved by Allsop. A few quick exchanges followed and as the final whistle blew it was Sunderland who were pressing. This victory took Sunderland to 37 points still 5 adrift of the Champions Sheffield United. However given the situation the club found itself in before the season started finishing as runners up was a very creditable performance indeed.

Sunderland: Doig, Ferguson, Wilson, Dunlop, McAllister, Lee, Morgan, Leslie, Brown, Prince, Chalmers (2)

Nottingham Forest: Allsop, Scott, Wragg, Richardson, McPherson, Foreman, McInnes, Richards, Benbow, Capes, Spencer.

Referee: Mr. F Kirkham, Preston                             Attendance: 12,000