December 2014 - Newcastle Benfield (a)

Leon Ryan had left, we were out of the FA Vase and been drubbed by local rivals: North Shields. This week surely couldn't get worse for Whitley Bay fans: could it? Another local team up the Coast Road hopefully wouldn't provide as stern a test as Tuesday night's opponents ...would they?

Warming up with the  unlucky 13?

Smiles to keep our spirits up.

It was down to Steve Foster to hold the fort so when we arrived there he was, barking the instructions to the ...1...2...3...4...5....13 players. Were things so bad at the club that we could only manage 13 players? And none of them were a goalkeeper...unless you counted Paul Chow in his bobble hat. There was a goalkeeper but it wasn't Gladstone, who had single handedly (almost) kept Shields at bay. In his place was the unknown Dobson...We wondered whether we had seen him at Hillheads during half times kicking the ball around with subs so the jury was out whether he would stand up to the Benfield attack. Thankfully more Whitley players appeared to take up the extra places on the bench. Also taking his seat next to the boy Mark and I was Bay physio Glen Martin, obviously wanting to pick our brains about the happenings at Hillheads and the way forward. Shame for him that he picked us because we really didn't have a clue beyond score more goals than the opposition and wear odd shoes!
Unfortunately, just seven minutes into the game there were worries about the new keeper as Benfield took the lead in what looked like far too easy circumstances. We didn't have to wait long for the equaliser as Watling headed in Kempster's pinpoint cross. Not bad: 11 minutes in and already a goal each. Surely we would go on to get the next goal? Once again we were to be disappointed as the home team took the lead again.
"I hate going behind!" Mark roared in frustration...the smiles long since gone. Our new friend Glen wasn't impressed either as it had been another soft goal. The game took another twist just on the 20 minute mark when Robbie Birdie Bird scored to make it 2-2 and provide us with 4 goals in 20 minutes play. Surely now the Bay would be able to settle and play their football...? No.
On the half hour, Benfield made it 3-2 and unfortunately our new boy between the posts wasn't having a good afternoon. Virtually three shots had ended in three goals. When we asked where the hero of Tuesday's second half was...we were told he was being rested. Couldn't he come back in for the second half?
Arrogantly we were expecting Whitley to bounce straight back but Benfield hadn't read our script and scored again. The only thing to do was to shake our heads in disbelief. This was not a good week!
We were delighted just before half time, when another of the coaching staff, Dave Beardie Berry, (who had also been called into action) scored Whitley's third.

Fossie's first half in action:

Commanding Foster....

Demonstrative Foster....

Disbelieving Foster.

Normally the Boy Mark and I watch the Bay away from the respective benches but with the old hernia still causing me problems we had decided to sit on the furthest of the two stands which gave us a whole new viewpoint of the match. As well as the great views of Fossie and his crew we also had a great view of the home team manager's rantings as they were reduced to ten men after having a player sent off. His face exploded and turned the brightest shade of red as he bawled at the ref. "What the @#%£ was that for?" he screamed, ignoring the answer, and the fact, that their player had told the ref to "@#%£ off". Not a clever move.

The ranting 

Surely now Whitley would surge back in the remaining 38 minutes...the answer would be a disappointing "No." The Bay maintained possession but struggled to get accurate balls into the box.

Still 4-3 down and time is running out!

When they did manage some accuracy and speed in the attacks, their keeper hadn't been reading the same goalkeeping manual as ours and came up with a number of great saves to give the home team the win 4-3.
What a week!

The long drive home begins....at least 10 minutes
....maybe even 15 before a nice cup of tea!