9.7.19 Ellington (h)

It was raining but I was still in good spirits. Complete with camouflaged poncho, I set off for Hillheads. The only people I passed on the way were the hockey players leaving the ice rink, would Hillhead's great and good turn out to see its latest episode?
They were there and they shared my quiet optimism. My newly-designed season ticket had gone down well and I must admit I was rather pleased the result.
Talking to people around the ground, it really did seem like there was a new drive about the place.
Sky Blue Neil remarked that the pitch looked the best it had been in years, even though tonight was its first test. The fans who had given up their time to paint the ground, apologies I failed to show up yet again, had performed miracles.
A fund had also been started to repair the main stand's roof. This club has one amazing resource and it is its fans! They are the one thing that have remained constant. Turning up home and away during these downward spiralling seasons. Now, two of those fans are amongst the board members, bringing new verve and enthusiasm to an already hard-working set of individuals. Only a madperson would fail to make use of them!

Mmmmmm, nice pitch!

There was also a good turnout behind the goal... I was no longer Billy-No-Mates!

The teambuilding has been ongoing at a great pace and it looks like we have a talented team. Tonight's team included Jeff Smith, who apparently arrived with Nathan. Right from the off, he was pulling the strings in midfield.
A silver-haired (mostly) empressario, his prodding passes were gratefully received by the likes of Salmon, Brannon and Parnaby. With Lee Kerr joining in the prodding of the visiting defence, the home fans lapped it all up. By half time, the lads were 4-0 up. Salmon scored twice, we think Smith launched in the third one and Mickey C added a skillfully opportunistic fourth.

The second half continued in the same vein. Whitley pressed, Ellington defended, swore at each other then ocasionally managed a breakaway effort. The bay defence, looked in control and so for once, most of the attacking took place in the visiting half.
Goals five to seven were to follow in this half, in quick succession. At some point, the old war-horses: the tiring Kerr and Smith gave way to the young upstarts of Kieran Brannen and Max Emerson. It was these youngsters who tore at the visitors like starving dogs desperate for raw meat. Add in Mickey, who just toyed with Ellington all game, it was a pleasure to watch.
Number five featured Kieran surging towards goal before unleashing a sublimely placed shot.

Number six was a one Mr and Mrs Triallist may well be proud of but I can't be sure as the teamsheet didn't match the players on the pitch, IMHO. Whatever, it was another cracking strike. 

Finally number seven was another from the edge of the box. A real treat for the Bay fans!

It's been a while since we dared dream of anything more than poor mediocrity. I so hope that my excitement hasn't been pre-empted. I WOULD LOVE IT, if we had a decent team!