27th August 2016 - North Shields (h)

Pre-match reading.

Last week it was South of the river today it was the North side: last week the dress rehearsal and this week the real thing: the Coastico and not ElClasicoast! The Bay were still undefeated after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at the home of leaders Shildon the previous Wednesday. The comeback boys had done it again. The crowd looked to be down on the previous season's 857 but was still a healthy one and way more than the previous crowd for the South Shields game.

1-0  -  the Shankster heads home!

Shanks makes himself
 small for the corners
Can you spot him?
Thought not.

The Bay looked confident and in the 12th minute Harry Potter put in the Kempstervator who crossed to Shanksy to outjump a Shields defender to score past former Whitley keeper Kyle Hayes. There was great discussion as to whether it had been Potter, Munroe or Kempster who started the move. It was decided that the players should have names and numbers hovering over their heads like in Fifa games. Of course Bob went on about not ever being able to see their numbers on their shirts and suggesting we all started a fund to get new Bay shirts on which the numbers were clearer. This discussion then lead onto the one about long or short corners as the Bay were awarded one. The only way to solve the problem was to ask one of the men in question; so we asked Shanksy and he replied that he preferred the big boot so Bob felt vindicated.
There was also a well-observed minute's applause from the 615 crowd for the @HelpFrankie fund in the 26th minute and a bucket collection. Frankie is a three year old who was diagnosed with cancer on the 26th May. Both sets of fans joined in perfectly.
Our new Greek hero, Elfie the Angel (still working on it - think that was Neil's suggestion) also entertained the troops when he borrowed Hayes' water bottle.
One of the crowd shouted "You should be used to this heat where you come from!" to which he replied, quick as a flash:
"Actually where I'm from it's a bit hotter than this...I was just thirsty!"
Terrace hero = potential legend?
There was bad news for the Bay however as young Nick Allen went down after more great wing play. A lengthy delay followed as he was carried off just three minutes before the break.
For the second half Fenton had obviously given his team a rocket and they came out fired up. The Bay were on the back foot. In one of the Bay's attacks Shanks came up with dive of the day when he flew over  a Shields defender to perform a brilliant 6.0. Luckily he seemed to come out of it with his pride intact...sort of.
The next minute however Shields were level with a header.  This was soon followed by the lead going to the visitors in similar fashion. A free header coming from a freekick on the left wing. The missing Professor Wilkinson was on the bench and his presence was needed. It was saviour time!

Shields Ultras.....all six of them......

With Robbo and Shanksy having worked their socks off, they were both replaced and the Professor was put up front with Kempstico. The former's presence in the air was perfect as he dominated the Shields defence. The Bay piled up the pressure and first MacDonald had a great drive saved before it happened. A long throw-in was cleared only to be returned back into the middle. A header across goal ended up at the feet of the brilliantly tireless Kempstico, who expertly flicked the ball past Hayes deep into injury time!

Three games: three high-scoring exciting draws against the top teams. This Bay team does not lie down!
South Shields away next week .
 The bigger they come, the harder they fall!
Haway the Bay!

PS: Get well soon Bay fan Ann Barkas who was wounded in the course of following her team at Shildon. Don't forget to duck next time! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!