23rd March 2019 - Consett (h)

For the first time in a long time, I sped up the hill. Although this was mainly thanks to Mrs Blogger giving me a lift on her way to do a spot of shopping at Silverlink, it was also thanks to that dangerous thing called optimism. Not something that I often have much time for: the sun was shining, I hadn't worn a coat (although I did have many other layers on) and the Bay had won two games on the trot. All good in the world?
In contrast to that, we were up against a Consett team that had found it difficult since 2019 had reared its head. Fourteen games with only two victories for our visitors may have been form that the PN Bay team (PN -pre-Nathan) may have thought reasonable but it was hardly acceptable for this new incarnation.
After my most popular blog for well over a year had been my biggest rant maybe ever, it had also had a response from one of the club's stalwarts. They contacted me, concerned for my mental health, to put my mind at rest. The club is thankfully not in as big trouble as I had feared and that there were still a great number of good people working tirelessly to provide the team and club that we crave.

Courtesy of Whitley Bay Twitter

The fact that the club don't own the ground may account for the fact that improving the buildings may not be a top priority. The way North Tyneside is up for selling off every available green space for housing means all sports clubs must be looking over their shoulder. Not that I am saying this is going to happen, dear reader, far from it, but these are tight times for everyone: including local councils.
For the time being, the team is on the up and New Man Nathan has brought optimism with him. The morning of the match, he took half an hour's training with the reserves and invited three of their number to join the first team warm up. If the Bay are going to run teams on a smaller budget then these talented youngsters must be given their chance. It is good to see that New Man Nathan has made it a priority to do this. Hopefully we will see some of them appearing before the end of the season.
For now, the lads on the pitch were doing quite well for themselves.
It was good to see Bob and Moira sauntering through the Spring heat with our friend Jane. Their insistence that they would not be back this season, after witnessing the shambles that was the Stockton game, hadn't thankfully lasted long. Also surprisingly, there was a certain amount of bonhomie coming from them too!
The crowd looked bigger than normal and it was great to see 378 had taken advantage of a lack of Premier or Championship games to see a good game of football: something we have been starved of recently!

I hadn't had time to set up my camera when visiting Kyle Hayes had to tip over a Luke Salmon screamer. Soon after, running Keith and then Woodie appeared with his daughter, for her first ever Bay game (mother was away for the weekend so couldn't stop him). She seemed to find the whole affair bewildering!
The yellow ball that flew our way certainly seemed to interest her as she keenly watched everything going on. Even the wandering Barry was studied closely!
The game was certainly lively at both ends and there actually seemed to be some very good football on offer!
For once, when the ball clanged into a random bit of yellow metal that appeared to be keeping the netting poles at the allotment end up, I managed to catch it and deliver it swiftly for the Bay corner-taker. No nerves: just instinct on my part!
Little Neil wasn't even phazed with the 'roar' that accompanied the Bay's opening goal from Andrei 'here to help' Ardelean. He was Johnny-on-the-Spot to slam home when a Consett clearance failed.

The half time chat was all about the quality of the football and Brexit wasn't mentioned once!
The Bay maintained the pressure in the second half but Little Neil was more interested in another little friend who was sitiing with her dad. She wasn't bothered that she missed...
Craig McFarlane hitting the crossbar...

A long-range effort that was dramatically tipped over by Kyle Hayes...

A Kyle Hayes foot that somehow saved a certain own-goal...

A leaping Salmon headed goal from a corner...

Another final Salmon leap that was flipped just wide!

Although Little Neil had long since gone home to get her tea at the final whistle, it was quite clearly her presence that had given an extra boost to the team, as if they had needed it! A superb team performance against a good team. Sitting in the Seahorse after the game, it was nice to see the Prof, recovered from his recent injury. It was even nicer to hear him say he hadn't enjoyed the game. Similarly it was great to say I had enjoyed it! Life was good again.
Roll on Wednesday and the big semi-final we have no idea how we have got to!
Haway the Bay: let's pack out Sam Smith's Park.