This game had crept on us, what with the excitement of the FA Cup, our potential Cup Final in 10 wins time and a derby win against North Shields. In fact it is bizarre to think that we are nearly two months into the season and have only had two league home games. This local derby was not a league game either but with no disrespect to our friends up Whitley Road meant, most were expecting a comfortable home win: such was the strides the team have made under Paddy.
 |
David: gone but not forgotten:
He would have been so proud
of both Paul and the Bay. |
The previous night, it had been great to celebrate Whitley fans Paul and Clare marriage up in Newcastle. In true, loyal tradition the couple arrived at the ground clutching a can of coke each: an impressive feat bearing in mind the state we had left them in the previous night. the evening had brought back memories of my good friend, and Paul's dad, David who had died suddenly over a year ago. He would have loved the evening and above all would have loved watching this new Bay team and their passionate football.
 |
| Bell scores 1-0 |
In fact the game had hardly got started when the Bay were 1-0 up. A great battling run from the Kempstervator by the goal-line ended with him out-muscling a visiting defender before he rolled a fantastic ball across to new boy Michael Bell to score. This was shortly followed by Chris Pinball Wizard Reidster scoring; finishing off a scramble in the six yard box.
 |
| An unhappy keeper... |
Shortly after Bob delivered one of his famous Bob's Bombshells: "Reid needs to keep calm.." he repeated as the Bay Captain was booked for another tough tackle. this however, was seconds after telling us that Reidy's captain-ship had turned it him into a much more responsible and controlled player. On 17 minutes it was Kempster's turn to score as he turned in number three.
The game slowed down after that and discussion turned to the opposition: firstly the Celtic centre forward who looked more like a rugby player but had demonstrated in the previous meeting that he had a fair amount of skill and then it centred on the strange Celtic goalkeeper.
 |
| Alice what's the matter? |
Nicknamed Alice by the bloke next to us: because of his bizarre hair cut. It was decided he was a Twilight Zone throwback to the Madchester days. with his full sideboards, 90s retro hair and either receding hairline or keenness for an Alice band.
However, when I watched him running around he reminded me of a cartoon version I had seen of Rumpelstiltskin...Poor lad hadn't had a chance with any of the goals but must have had a smile on his face when Chris Reid went in with two Celtic forwards and he was credited with the last touch. If he hadn't been happy about being booked, Reidy's face must have been scraping the ground when the tanoy announcer gleefully announced the own goal.
In the second half, the game drifted into a midfield scrap. It livened up when super sub Stephen Young was played through on goal. He nutmegged Alice then tapped in the ball when it wouldn't cross the line. In stoppage time it was Kristopher Hughes who rounded poor Alice before slamming a superb shot from a tight angle into the net.
5-1 the final score and it had all been quite easy. Another Cup Game and another win...next up Team Northumbria then the small matter of an encounter with Northern conference side Chorley. Surely the crowd would be a lot bigger than the 314 present today. What a great time to be a Bay fan. A big team to scalp and the promise of the Shankster back from suspension! Haway the Bay!
5-1 the final score and it had all been quite easy. Another Cup Game and another win...next up Team Northumbria then the small matter of an encounter with Northern conference side Chorley. Surely the crowd would be a lot bigger than the 314 present today. What a great time to be a Bay fan. A big team to scalp and the promise of the Shankster back from suspension! Haway the Bay!
No comments:
Post a Comment