17th October 2015 - Seaham Red Star (a)

This we supposed to be a day off from football but then the call came through that The Boy Mark's daughter, Amy wanted to go to see the Bay on her birthday weekend! Could the youth of today really enjoy the scene that held us old fogies in thrall? Here's hoping. Ever since my own daughter had turned her back on her Bay season ticket and nights spent with her trusty Vuvuzela for the comfort of a computer, our trips to see the Bay had effectively become lads nights out. Amy had actually wanted to come. There is hope for the future!

Friday night at Benfield Sports Centre
- come and join us for a fun hour of footie.

Use it Atkinson and you too
can be as good as me!

The weekend had started with a bath to ease the aches from my Just Play footie session (all welcome - 6-7pm Friday nights @Benfield Sports Centre 3G - all abilities £3 - just turn up) and I noticed that a facewash I had been bought for Christmas was called "Winning Skin".
With my girls' team in desperate need of a win after losing our local derby against Newcastle East End the week before I was willing to clutch at any straw. Lo and behold, after one of the most physical girls' games I have ever witnessed the Mighty Hawks triumphed 2-0. It was an omen!

One of the easiest grounds to find, Seaham was soon reached and the sun even began shining on our indomitable trio.
The ground had a homely feel about it, surrounded by tree-life and playing fields: today felt like a good day.
Unfortunately while I was musing about the new fashion sported by a Bay fan - blue and white paperclip decorating his cap - Seaham were ahead. I didn't see it so therefore I decided to ignore the fact that it happened. The bay were looking sluggish at the back and Dan the Gladstone was not looking too confident in goal. But as the game wore on things improved on both fronts. Kempster and Hughes were getting some joy on the wings and Shanksy was annoying the opposition.

Relaxing in the sun!

Then, a freekick was awarded,  Bertram played in a sweet ball for Hudson, (still not calling him Rock) , to head in. It was at this point that I was abducted by aliens: the only logical explanation. I started videoing the freekick and my phone showed the kick just about to be taken then the next bit was the celebrations behind the goal among the massed throngs of fans. I imagine that in the moment the kick was taken,I had been whisked up into a spaceship and experimented on - seen it all on the  X files - then returned in time to celebrate the goal. I also had a scar, possibly from an operation to create the ultimate non-league football fan. Although it could have been from last year's hernia operation. Ian, from the club's Twitter fame, said it was just that I was a crap videoer. As if!
I wish I'd been abducted by aliens for Seaham's second goal - the sight of Gladders lying on the floor and being chipped at a height of two feet will haunt both of us for a long time.
Thankfully there was no mistake in filming when the Kempstervator raced into the penalty area and was brought down by the worst tackle in the history of worst tackles that day. The Seaham number 5 (another one) Dan Kirkup even had the gall to complain against the penalty!

Shanksy duly dispatched the spot kick and we could breath again.
At half time we made our way to the doll's house that dominated the ground: a very attractive combination of blue (for the Sea) and pink (for the Ham).

The pink and blue doll's house:
which is nice.

We aren't having chips with gravy! Oh no!

In the second half, Gladstone looked more comfortable with both his handling and positioning and the Bay team looked more solid. It was good to note that the expected mauling by ex-Whitley stars Birdie Bird and Sparky Kerr hadn't materialised and when Bertram swung in a corner, there was Shanks to rise above the rest to head home.

The youngster, who had had a relatively quiet game, certainly picked his moments and with 12 minutes left to play looked to have given the Bay an unexpected win. Although there were still a nervy final few minutes, the attacking prowess and never-say-die attitude of the rest of the team had pulled it out of the fire.
The league title was still on! Eight games in hand on the leaders, Shildon and only 23 points behind them. Easy! Easy!
It was now 2 wins in 2 for Young Amy and a Happy Birthday from the Bay Boys!