21st September Whickham (h)

Unable to get to Tuesday's Hebburn Town game, there were mixed emotions when Hebburn took a 5-0 lead but there was complete shock when the Bay managed to score four unanswered goals. This season, I have only managed to witness The Bay score 5 times in league and Cup. I'm feeling slightly starved at the moment. Today, I was hoping for a change in fortune.

Whickham were on the same run of form as the Bay, 3 defeats and a draw, what chances a home win?

Teamsheet modelled superbly by Ann B, sunglasses provided by Moira.

It was good to see Nathan back on the touchlines after his enforced break for family reasons. He had been sorely missed!

There was also a return for Dan Lister, who had a point to prove after being replaced for the previous two games. It was also good to see Luke Taylor start  for the first time this season and he looked an imposing pairing with Connor Smith at the centre of defence. Two more reasons to be hopeful!

The bright, but breezy, weather was a pleasant surprise for the end of September and I kept short sleeves on all the way through the first half. Extreme bravery on my part.

The Bay made a bright start to match and once again, Mark Robinson was getting at the visiting defence and causing problems. The support behind the goal was a bit thin on the ground although one fan was taking full advantage of the warmth... all he needed was some sand and a bucket and spade to make his afternoon complete.

The only trouble was the age-old problem of unknown players as we followed the action. Moira's suggestion was that we could put different coloured cats on top of each player to identify them whereas I preferred the Fifa-styled names above their heads using small projectors installed on their backs.

Fifa names? Not sure it will take off!

Cats on heads? It might just catch on....

The final decision was that maybe we should try to learn their names and that a settled team each season might be nice. Bob said it would never catch on though.

Apart from a perfectly-timed Luke Taylor goalline clearance, there were not many opportunities but the first half had been surprisingly entertaining, even for the dynamic and demanding duo of Bob and Moira!

The second half, however was a cold affair. Once you stepped out of the sun's warmth and into the shade of the trees at the Car Park End, the temperature dropped.

At least the football kept the 'Siberian conditions' behind the goal at Bay.

 However, the match continued to engage. The Bay weren't losing anyway: an achievement in itself. Dan Lister looked particularly solid. His positioning was spot-on as each shot was perfectly handled and whenever he went walkabout, Taylor and co had his back and goal-line covered. There was excitement when Robinson was joined up front by Shanksy with Luke Salmon restored to the Bay's left wing. But the goal never came.. 

Whickham's defence was physical and no matter how many times Robo managed to wriggle a way through, there was always a Whickham arm, boot or leg ready to bring him down. 

In the end, we had to be contented with a clean sheet and a point. At least we hadn't lost, was the consolation.

14.9.19 - West Auckland (H)

The Bay had been unlucky, I heard. At Guisborough and Hebburn, they had lost by single goals with opposition goalkeepers performing miracles to keep them out. Today, against West Auckland, the Bay were going to win! West, on the same number of points, would be foiled by our influx of new signings from Norhallerton (Steven Hubery), Ashington (Scott Lowery) and Blyth (Craig Spooner).
In the last couple of weeks, Five new players had arrived to play for the Bay... and we'd lost three out of three. The worm could turn today? We could hope!

Fabulous photography provided
by the multi-talented Mr Programme Hall!

The sun was shining, it was short-sleeved weather and I was pleased to see Shanksy rewarded for his two goals with a place in the starting line up. There was some early hope but unfortunately new boy, Robinson, managed to get in the way of an early Lowery effort. Shanksy also weighed in with a couple of efforts. It was all going swimmingly then the inevitable happened. By the time half-time arrived, the Bay were 2-0 down, and cleared two efforts off the line. The Bay's best effort had been an almost-own-goal. There was too much head-shaking going on around the ground from the home faithful.
The two highlights so far had been, an x-files type cloud formation...

I want to believe!

... then the Bay clearance of the season, that ended up with the ball bouncing off the top of a floodlight. Hopefully, it didn't knock out any of the £500 bulbs or there might have to be a new fund set up to go with the new roof fund.

Into the second half, and West Auckland spoilt the afternoon by scoring. Shanksy didn't look happy when he was substituted for midfielder Orrell. It looked like it was damage limitation for the remaining 38 minutes.

Claire was not happy!

It was frustrating stuff for the players too, as my faithful camera took a swing.
Again, someone hadn't read the script, with most good things coming from the determined runs of our new Robinson, who was now showing some neat footwork. The lads suddenly woke up. Chances were being created!
Spooner's first effort was blocked but he managed to turn the rebound under the returning Tom Flynn's body.

Unfortunately, most guessed it was too little, too late. The game almost took an unexpected turn when Flynn's bar was left quivering before our ex-flying policeman had to soar smartly to his right to keep out a follow-up effort. His return to the Bay had sadly seen our former number one have a mostly quiet afternoon. It had indeed been too little too late.
We need to hope that last season's struggles aren't going to be repeated. Sadly, things don't seem to be going our way!

31.8.19 Barnoldswick Town (H) FA Vase QR1

Bay fans can't help get excited whenever the Vase comes around. The years of 2009-2011 are now just like the clouds that whizzed past Hillheads... dreamlike and out-of-reach. The eight years since have brought mediocrity, to put it mildly.
How many times have we failed to make the first round proper?
Last season's 6-0 hammering of Esh Winning was then followed by 2-1 defeat at Whickham and only 2017's mazy run to the 3rd round, and cruel defeat at West Auckland (4-3), has produced much excitement. "Pogo if you love the Bay"?
Today could be the start of something fantastic! Two new players had snuck into the Bay when I had been celebrating my 50th year: Midfielder Connor Smith (former Hartlepool, York and Whitby) and forward Mark Robinson (from Sunderland West End). I was also looking forward to the return of my old fave, Shanksy. The sun was shining... what more could you ask for?

The Boy Mark, not in his 50th year, had to do a double take when I pointed out the Blackburn Rovers flag stuck to the New Stand. It turned out to be owned by Tony, whose son, Ashley, was playing for Barnoldswick. He chatted to us for a quite a while about how he gets stick from theother, Burnley-leaning,  Town fans for his allegiance..

New programme and raffle shed.
courtesy of WBFC Twitter.

He also mentioned some of the initiatives the club are using to generate revenue. Something the Bay could maybe look into is printing less programmes and putting the programme online. He said that this meant the adverts in the programme gained maximum exposure and was extremely popular. could it work here? Apart from the fact that we have a shiny new programme hut, it might be worth considering. If nothing else it would reduce the demand for paper and give the Brazilian Government less reason to burn down the Rainforest... Oooh! Political banter!

The only burning I hoped to see today were from holes in the Town defence, and there looked to be good signs going forward with Robinson, McFarland and Smith Combining well. Hird was looking sharp and was unlucky when he rounded the keeper but his effort just failed to hit the mark.

However, the visitors gradually took control and the supply dried up to Brad and Mark. It was also no surprise when they took the lead, the futuristically-nmaed Zak Dale scoring low to Uncle Lister's right-hand post.
It was at this point, we first heard Tony and his friends. Their celebrations turned to a single song that they continued on and off for most of the match.

Myself, The Boy Mark, Bob, and Jane were not impressed. Moira didn't get the memo.

The corner crew hadn't even noticed as they contined to enjoy the final rays of summer sun.

Something was needed to get the lads going and Kerr, Stephenson and Shanksy were introduced. However, despite some improvement, the crowd of 308 were mostly disappointed to see the visitors extend their lead. Once again, it was future-boy Zak who scored from the tightest of angles.

Unfortunately, it had taken this second goal to wake the lads up and, driven on by some great runs from McFarlane, Ryan Livesey was being kept on his toes. Previously, the only things of note about him were that he wore the tightest shorts of the season and could well have been the lovechild of Les the Scientist, from Vic and Bob's Big Night Out.

Tightest shorts... for the ladies (and some gentlemen).

Les's lovechild?

Probably because of all this scrutiny, the leaning one was getting quite ratty with everyone and stopped being a friendly figure of fun. Shanksy was getting little service and was getting frustrated. He tried flicks that came to nothing...

...then he tried moaning, before finally coming up with the perfect header from his one decent cross to reduce the defecit. Two appearances and two goals. 

He's still not match fit but the signs are promising.

Feed the Shanks and he will score?

It certainly shut up the Town fan in the lime green jacket who had wandered behind 'our' goal, lovingly placed his drink down, ignored it, shouted their players' names a lot, annoyed us even more and lit up a cigarette. Pleased with his excursion, he picked up his pint and staggered off.

Sadly, it would be his team that came away with the win as the Bay ran out of time. Mark was not impressed. However, we shook hands with Tony before leaving him and his friends to enjoy their moment of glory.

Now we are out of both the FA Cup and FA Vase, will we see the player floodgates open as in previous years? Only time will tell, but surely getting out of this league was always going to be the priority?

13th August 2019 - Bishop Auckland (h)

So this isn't a good idea!
Who knew?

A cracking day was spent with the eldest daughter and Mrs Blogger at The York Maze. Dinosaurs hidden all over a Maize field under the warmth of a glorious summer sun...what more could you ask for?
The answer was: no traffic problems, as I drove Mrs Blogger home in the Blogmobile! That's not what we got. The satnav kept adding all sorts of roadworks and its ETA  kept rising until it reached 7:53! That was 23 minutes after kick off!
Thankfully, still maintaining a sensible speed and distance from the cars in front, the roadworks weren't as bad as predicted and I made it to Hillheads just on kick off.
I had just joined Silly Andrew and Woodie when Bishops took the lead. In my frustration, I'm afraid I took my rage out on my programme, hurling it angrily down onto the ground.

Anger vented upon paper... the unacceptable face of football!

To rub salt into the old wound, it was old boy, Denver Morris, who had done the damage. My worst fears were being realised. Saturday's wounds were still fresh. But how could we be losing? The sun was still shining and the air was warm!
By half time, we were still losing and Luke Salmon's game had been reeled in, thanks to injury. In his place came James Proctor for his earliest introduction of the season (30 mins).

In order to keep their interest in the game going, it was essential the lads avoided a repeat of Saturday's early second half goal. Nathan had obviously told them so they pushed forward with conviction and started ruffling a few of the Bishops' feathers. Thomas Bott started adding his weight to the attack and it was his battle with the visitors' Daryl Hall. This was definitely not the musician who had performed so admirably with John Oates in the 70s and 80s. Our Hall was built like a brick $%&£house and had a slight height advantage on our own defensive colossus. As they battled away, the game swang Whitley's way. When keeper Nick Liversedge cleared a ball straight to a Bay shirt, he was extremely relieved to see the lobbed ball drift over his head. The lads were on the up.
Soon after, and with the lights only just illuminating the action, the Bay were level. Another rushed defensive clearance went straight to Brad Hird. His shot made no mistake as it flew into the left hand post.

 Cue usual celebratory picture:

Where's the warmth gone?
Who cares: 1-1

Complete farce followed, that ended up with referee, Craig Chatten's, grip on the game being firmly ripped from him. As a corner entered the six yard box, Proctor (I think) 'inadvertently' punched the ball goalwards. The ball was hooked clear and the Bishops called for a freekick. but CC felt sorry for us and decided to award us a penalty instead. Cue accusations being hurled at him, and his hapless linesman, by our indignant visitors.

"It was a blue arm..."
"When you wake up tomorrow..."
"You're a joke..."
"Is that the fourth thing, you didn't see lina?"
The abuse carried on but he stuck to his decision.
"But nobody appealed for a penalty!"

VAR results are in: Bishops freekick. If only the ref could have waited until the following afternoon!

To be fair, the ref could only have seen arms go up and had no idea which player handled. Behind the goal, we all laughed at the decision and I must admit, I did feel guilty for getting a penalty from this sequence of play. My instinct to tell the ref it was all a tragic mistake was easily supressed and Craig McFarlane stepped up to confidently drill the ball wide.

Justice had been done? The fear that this golden opportunity would come back to bite our behinds was strong. We now all expected Bishops to drive on to claim the winner in controversial fashion. But to buck a recent trend, the Bay continued to have the best chances. In fact, the whole incident had motivated the lads while Bishops had turned into feral beasts, arguing every decision and trying mostly foul means to wrestle the game away from the Bay. Daryl Hall (not the one with luscious curly blond locks to excite all and sundry) and ex Bay man, Callum Munro were getting away with murder and play was frequently broken up by moments of handbag fighting. CC remained completely ineffective as he kept his cards in his pocket and wandered around without the slightest air of authority.
A breakaway section from behind Liversedge's goal had taken up residence away to his left hand corner and their discussion of the merits of pot noodle pizzas was interrupted by the wondrous sight of Elfie's drive that was too powerful for the keeper's dive to stop. The lads were ahead with barely 7 minutes remaining.

They went wild...

Wildness ensued!

... sort of.

Whitley's first three points of the season had been earned at the expense of our old pal Chan's boys. After the shenanigans that had gone on, it couldn't have tasted sweeter.

10th August 2019 Hebburn Town FA Cup (h)

Courtesy of WBFC Twiter

I went away for one week and things had gone to pot. The first game of the season had ended in a very respectable 1-1 draw with Newcastle Benfield but then Billingham Town, who, had been beaten 6-0 in the first game of the season (at home to Stockton), turned the lads over 3-0 at Hillheads. Crowds had been up, with renewed enthusiasm: 417 and 337. But the Hillheads faithfull were still waiting to see their first victory of the season. The hopes of seeing that happen for today's match seemed as unlikely as the chances of Hillheads staying dry. Thunder storms and showers were predicted throughout the day.



The day started with a fairly dry Gateshead 10k for the Boy Mark and I, followed by a trip in pleasant sunshine to Hillheads.

The sun indeed was shining and the Bay started as if they were solar-powered.
Only five minutes in Luke Salmon had the first chance but after rounding the Hebburn Keeper, his effort was saved on the line with a hint of handball.

Next up, it was Lee Kerr, followed by another Luke Salmon effort that was saved by the keeper's leg. On the downside, Nathan Stephenson was booked for disagreeing with the referee on one of his many puzzling, and some might say, scandalous decisions. Who says we have freedom of speech?

Finally, Brad Hird was put through and this time, he rolled the ball under the advancing keeper's body. Hillheads erupted.

The joy lasted four minutes. Two Hebburn penalties turned the first half on its head and all the lads' hard work had been undone. It was no coincidence that the rain started falling. The heavens had had their hearts broken!
There was worse to follow, just two minutes into the second half. A Hebburn freekick was turned in. 438 fans were mostly gutted. So was the home team. Four more goals (one a penalty), an Anderson own goal (sliding in perfectly at the far post to score) and a Bott sending off for a second booking were the 'rewards' for the home fans.
It was the footballing gods reminding us that there are no shortcuts to success. Nathan's brand of football will take to time to come good. Frustrated and cheesed off doesn't come close to explaining how The Boy Mark and I felt after the game. This will be a long road. I'm placing my faith in a Pony Rider charging to our rescue. Who knows what this next turn in the Bay rollercoaster will bring us?

Courtesy of Shanks' Twitter

24.7.19 Blyth (a)

Before this latest blog, I would like to pay my own tribute to the loss of our dear friend, Tommy Moody:

RIP Tommy

Picture courtesy of WBFC Twitter

One of my favourite Hillheads memories was the day the legend that is Tommy was rewarded for his services to the club by the naming of his beloved Tea hut after him. The man was a fantastic figure both around Hillheads and the Whitley Bay running circuit. Many a Saturday morning started with a Parkrun on the Links, where he often marshalled, and a discussion of the Bay's chances that day. His enthusiasm for both sports was boundless. It was a lovely gesture to see the Teahut, from which he always served the Boy Mark and I enormous Cola bottles, with it's sign erected. Long may it remain so named because he was a fantastic character with a great sense of humour. I will never forget his favourite way of addressing us "What sweets would the children like today?"

My thoughts are with his family, who I know have been bowled over by the response from his Hillheadian friends. 

Gone but not forgotten.

The school summer holidays have arrived and I was delighted, not only by the kind words from parents and children, but also the cards and presents from the children in my NE29-based school. My favourite has to be the one from the young man who has now moved on to high school and would always take great delight in celebrating next to me whenever Shields scored. The thought was definitely there but I'm not quite sure on the labelling!

The fun of a goal spree against Ellington was followed up by a similar festival against West Auckland Tams. The Wearside League outfit had stepped into the breach, at the last minute, replacing Marske United who were unable to raise a team. This, in itself, must have been a disappointment and concern for the ex-Northern Leaguers but it was also a disappointment for the home fans hoping for a cracking battle with old rivals: Nathan's former club. Played in an almost non-stop deluge, there was nothing for it but to don the wbayblogger poncho of camouflage. This action was likened to my audition for the Grim Reaper in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. My audition for which was disappointing as I felt I had it nailed only to lost out to William Sadler. Thanks Jeremy, for capturing my reprise of the role.

Grim Reaper aka wbayblogger: courtesy of WBFC's Jeremy Twitterbod

The following Tuesday it was back to Hillheads against Northern League Div 2's Ryton and Crawcrook that was played out under a beautiful evening sky. From the ridiculous to the sublime. Unfortunately the atmospheric pleasantness didn't suit the lads and they had to recover from a 2-goal first half deficit. Even so, only a Ryton equaliser robbed the Bay of the win.
Worryingly, the lads had looked second best at home to a team in a league below us and this was repeated when Sunderland West End snatched a 2-1 win. Once again, the unpredictability of the Northeast's weather systems had seen the match played out during torrential downpours. This had not been to the liking of my holidaying Mexican buddy Ned Kelly who tried his hand, unsuccessfully, at upstaging my Reaper performance. The two toughest tests so far and they lads had come up short on both occasions.
It was almost a full complement of wbayblogger buddies that set off for Croft Park the following Wednesday, with The Boy Mark driving Running Neil and I to an extremely sunny Blyth Spartans. Memories of mine and Neil's first footie 'date-night' were jogged by the sight of the stands: a real footie ground with roofed stand on all sides. There were even home fans with their team's shirts on! A rare treat to see! It felt like an actual occasion! There were over 400 fans there for a friendly... and not all of them were Bay fans!

The Three Amigos thoughtful under Blyth's roofed terrace!

To add even more excitement to the occasion, the teamshirt I managed to photograph had been printed on a computer... none of this Bic biro nonsense for these posh Blyth boys! And it was only a friendly. Crazy days!
Jeff Smith was back and it looked like his absence from the team sheet had been down to a rather nice continental excursion, judging by his tan.

A proper ground with stands and that.

After all the excitement, the match was a real battle and both teams looked to be desperate to please their managers. Although Blyth dominated possession, the lads looked good on the break and Ramsay almost succeeded in robbing Blyth's Mark Foden in goal on two separate occasions but lacked the support to make anything of the opportunities. It showed the fight that had been missing during large chunks of the previous two games and must have boosted the lads confidence. 

Unfortunately, Blyth showed just why they were three leagues higher than the Bay with two clinical finishes that flattered the home team at the break. The second goal was scored seconds before the half time whistle. 

Wandering around at half time it was interesting to note a now possible holiday destination. 

The Boys are thinking who could they get to take a holiday in North Korea? The list could surely grow!
 Is there a charter plane leaving from Blyth's International Airport?

Into the second half and the lads managed to pull themselves back into the game and it was Mrs Triallist's dear little Sammy D (Dinsley) who was set up perfectly by a superbly worked freekick to head home. That one had definitely been worked out on the training ground. The Bay's Anderson creating the space for SDT! Nice.

Despite some fantastic battling and effort, there was to be no equaliser but the lads had won the second half and restored some pride. The jury is still out on how they will fair when the competitions start in ernest but tonight's signs were promising.

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!