11th January 2020 Guisborough (h)

Today was the day that the double goal cams would be used for the first time in anger... well maybe in friendly supportiveness. Christmas present 2016 would combine with Christmas present 2019 to give action from both ends of the game. It would be a great opportunity to catch Jennison's flying saves and all those great goal-line clearances from Bay's defenders on the way to securing the all important three points. It was going to be amazing... maybe a first in the Northern League! All I had to do was be in two places at once. Simple!
With the help of the ever-dependable Chris Smith, I was able to do just that. As I looked after my expensive present, he looked after the budget one, which would probably fetch very little on the black market, if stolen. I say this in case anyone reading this fancies nicking it at a future game. Also, I would like to add that there is no umcompromising videos of any intimate moments... the memory card isn't big enough. Oooh, missus!

The transfer merry-go-round spinneth once more, this time it was Sunderland West End's no-nonsense defender, Brad Forster arriving. He came straight into the team in the place of the unavailable Scott Lowery, the big man, Nathan was telling me before the match. He was also saying that he considered the squad he had available to be the most talented squad he had worked with and that now he was fighting players who wanted to play for the Bay off with a stick. This is great news but some of the supporters I chatted to later were wondering how these regular arrivees are affecting team moral.

The case of Dan Lister, who had performed heroics at times since fighting his way back into the team, was also mentioned. Had he been rested or dropped because he made a booboo at Shields? My understanding is that Dan is thought of in high regard by Nathan and the coaches. However he is only 18 and in need of periods of rest at times. This makes sense to me and talking to Nathan, is the one I believe.
Just like his predecessor, Nathan, I think is very approachable and personable. Whether the players share this view, I have no idea but I would like to think so. Having said that, I expect Nathan is a hard task master so who knows! He may be a complete dressing room devil able to destroy players with the click of his fingers!

One thing I hadn't noticed was the wind-assisted rebranding of the club's name, director Martin seemed less than enthusiastic...

ITLEY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB... is it catchy enough?

Chris tootled off to the other end, whilst I remained in unfamiliar territory behind Jennison's goal.

The first piece of action at either end was not the type that I wanted, although the travelling Guisborough fans were delighted when the visiting number 9, Luke Nixon half volleyed home a cross... barely 3 minutes in. 

"He's on a hot run at the moment!" they cried. I was delighted for them. 

We're losing, time to read the programme.

This had thrown Nathan's great plan into disarray. Before the game, he had been telling me that they were going to use the strong wind blowing towards the Allotment End in the first half and laugh loudly when it miraculously dropped at half time so Town could not take advantage of it. 

Here we were, 1-0 down against a team that had conceded one goal in four games, winning all four, what would the bald-headed maestro do now?

The lads were trying to play their neat football but Town were proving just too strong and the Bay's passing was just not up to scratch, especially the final ball. Having said that, Guisborough were hardly troubling Jennison either.
The lads were creating half-chances but their luck was out as Town's Ryan "going to play League Football one day, mark my words" Catterick was in good form.

James Fairley was looking bright on the wing but he had very little to aim at, while Connor Smith and James Martin were bombing down the wings.

In the end, half time arrived and the lads were still 1-0 down. Jennison had only had to pick the ball out of the net.

A bank of drizzle swept across Hillheads as the second half started and my offer from my new Guisborough-supporting best friends  to watch over the (cheaper not worth much) camera, didn't materialise. Placing it as high out of reach as I could, I decided to trust in the honesty of the Hillheads crowd.
As I walked away to the opposite end, Guisborough's Steven Roberts scored. Jennison's right-hand post not being part of his defensive armoury.

Jennison had to act smartly to keep out another effort as Whitley's offensive prowess fell apart.

 With loose passes to Guisborough's defence and missed opportunities to play team-mates in, there seemed to be numerous break downs in communication and I felt for James Martin as his overlapping runs were too often ignored.
The final noteworthy act was provided at the far end when Jennison was grateful to see an effort clear the bar.

2-0 was the final score. At least my new best friends would enjoy that. Unable to attend the talk-in with Nathan, Fergie and Rushie, I wondered how things would go. One thing I was sure of, was that there was still a long way to go for our top trio!