17th April 2018 - Billingham Synthonia (h)

There was a guest Mr Twitter as The Kinnon took over the role for tonight's game: the effects of Nashgate will take a while to subside and one of those issues will be: who will take over the Twitter? Social media has become such an important part of daily life, to ignore it would be to the club's detriment.

My book is available on Amazon
for all the sci-fi buffs out there!
Gratuitous plug over!

 A meagre 157 turned up for the game against the league's bottom team and there was a downbeat end-of-season feel about the ground. The match itself was not much of a draw as it featured two teams that had each managed 1 point in their last six games. Hardly in-form. On top of this there was also the Bay's run of home form. The last home league victory was on the 10th October: a 7-0 footie fest against Ryhope CW. Since then, four draws have given some cheer but the other nine defeats have drained the spirits. For me, the state of the pitch has to feature highly on the blame list. Before the poor weather arrived, there were six wins and two draws. The only blot on the copy book was the 0-2 defeat in the FA Cup against Benfield.
However, was this just down to the pitch or have the team really not liked playing at Hillheads? Has some little, or big, gremlin been going around causing mischief on matchdays? Whatever it is, the gremlin needs to found and booted out of his / hers / its hiding place before the same happens next season.
I was delighted to get a mention in the club programme with an article for my sci-fi book, Albie, Fugitive of Tenebria (available at: bit.ly/AlbieFugitive) and my book launch at the Surf Cafe (bit.ly/AlbieLaunch). Thanks for that Mr 'Photobomb' Hall!

Mr Twitter-for-the-Night was disappointed that I hadn't included his outburst in the previous game when Team North had scored with one of their few shots on target, via a deflection. To be honest I didn't feel his outburst of "Get the @£$% out of here!" really warranted a mention, despite it coming 'from the heart'. Sos like Kinnster!

Camera ready...avoiding the sunset that blinded it in its usual spot.

Packed terraces?

The match started slowly and there was little for either goalkeeper to do until the 18th minute when the outside of Chris Salmon's boot leapt to deflect the ball past Synner's Michael Algie.

There was much joy behind the distraught one's goal and the Bay took courage from this and there were a number of good opportunities created. As usual, Captain Pete was at the centre of a lot of the action. However Potter was also looking lively and after hitting the post, he managed to trick his way into the area, past a couple of flat-footed Synners. Unfortunately, when he laid it off to Callum J, the youngster's shot rolled wide.

Rhys Groves, back in the team after a three-match absence, was making good use of his height and was unlucky to see his header fly just over. At half time the Bay were still 1-0 up but the entertainment on offer had, at times been lacking, forcing some to find their own way of amusing themselves...

Yoga anyone?

The second half opened with Billingham waking everyone up by hitting the bar with a speculative effort then Flynn had to dive sharply to save the follow-up. In repsonse, Captain Pete joined in with the woodwork gang when he connected with the post then a fine shot from the edge of the box was acrobatically tipped over.

But for once, the Bay were not to be denied and it was Jack Walker, for the second home game in a row, who was in the right place at the right time to turn and scramble the ball home. The home fans began to worry that we might actually win this one.

Unbeknown to me, Kinnon had decided to go for a Twitter pun-fest, but then I'm not the sharpest tool in the box when it comes to such exquisite word-play...

The pick of the night's goals came when Potter teased and bewitched a Synners' defender before unleashing a rocket of a shot. There was a distinct lack of a celebration but an effort he could be proud of.

The arrival of young Kieran Brannen enlivened a game that was threatening to fizzle out. His skill on the ball and willingness to attack the Synners defence was a pleasure to watch: there is hope for the future!
It was just left to the referee to leave a bitter Pill for the Bay defence to swallow when Foster Garton dived theatrically, IMHO, and he awarded Synners a penalty. That was duly converted by Joseph Smith.
3-1 was the final score and at last the bugbear was off the Bay's back. A home win at last!

There was a final twist to this tale that was only discovered when I got home and was probably the main reason the boys won...

 Yep, after the odd shoes from a couple of seasons ago, it was time for the odd socks that I had worn all day at work.

14th April 2018 - Team Northumbria (h)

The sun was shining when I finished the Cragside 10k in the morning and it was still shining when I set off to walk up to the ground. In fact, after the seemingly endless days of rain, snow and gloomy skies, the big yellowy-orange sphere made a welcome return! I only needed to wear three layers of clothes. I'm that hard! As a result, I hoped for the victory that would end the Bay's current losing streak. While I had been sunning myself in France (see my other blog some time in the future for more details of this: www.northernlensois.blogspot.co.uk)

There was an early shock for Flynn as he had to stretch full length to push out a Northumbria shot, then Josh Nearney had to come up with a perfectly timed tackle to deprive a visiting forward who was bearing down on Flynn. It wasn't a one-sided game, however and the Bay went close on a number of occasions. Callum Johnston was looking lively up front, ably supported by the wizardly dribbling of Tom Potter.

Flynn's goal, however still needed to be protected and a last-ditch clearance off the line was needed to keep the score goaless at half time.
There was some special half - time entertainment when a man wearing a moose head, pink t-shirt and gold sandals had to take a crossbar challenge as well as coping with Jasper's excitement at this new event...

Jasper shows his frustration at Mr Moosehead's miss!

Jasper can't hide his delight at Mr Moosehead's direct hit.

There was delight early in the second half when Potter apparated into the box. Completely unmarked by Team North, and unoticed by myself and Woodie (who had been chatting about the relevant values of the latest series of The Walking Dead), the magic one slammed a shot past Northumbria's Charles Murphy. Because of our chatter, the video was disappointing ...

Therefore here's an exciting celebration photo:

Unfortunately, the gods of football were not looking out for the Bay and a deflected shot sailed past an unlucky Flynn. This goal, according to Gibbo the Statto, was the fifth deflected goal out of the last six that the Bay have conceded. You don't beat Flynn with an ordinary shot!
The lads surged back and battered the away goal. They almost took the lead but the Raven from the Hill just couldn't get that final touch to Callum Johnston's cross.

They would rue this miss as a goalmouth scramble ended in Team North taking the lead. However, for once the Bay were to have the last word and when a freekick was floated in; Jack Walker managed to toe the ball over the hapless Murphy.
Final score: 2-2. The Bay had their first point at home since January's 2-2 draw with Guisborough.
The wait for the first home victory since November still goes on, although for the first time in nine games, the Bay had avoided defeat. It's a start.