16th July 2018 - Morpeth (h)

The post season continued where the 2017-18 season finished, with more bad news for bay fans. More players leaving and rumours of player dissatisfaction failed to improve things. My intended end of season review never arrived because I just felt too depressed after the hope that had existed before Christmas. For me, the season had effectively ended with the defeat to West Auckland in the FA Vase. There were the league performances away from Hillheads to enjoy: the 2-1 win in Shields being my own personal triumph. Even the ensuing flag-gate had a happy ending but that was the first game after New Year and about as good as it got. The team began to break up... then there was Nash-gate...and volunteer-exit-gate. However thoughout all this, amazingly, the crowds only dipped slightly: the fans were still there!

I still renewed my season ticket, more in hope than anything else and there was great excitement when I opened my envelope...the season ticket design had changed!!!!!!

Bay in season ticket change shocker!

On the pitch we could only hope that Andy Gowens and Mick Mulhern had just been unlucky last season and would find a way to make their new set of players gel together. With so many players wanting to leave, the management duo would have a clean slate. Sure enough, the players have started coming. The first two friendlies away to Bedlington (won 7-2) and Seaton Delaval (won 4-2) were greeted with a mixed reaction. Come along, Andy called to the fans, you might be surprised! The never-ending Triallist family have come to our rescue with one of the sons scoring twice alongside his brother 'B'. Tonight was no different, as sons 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D', 'E' AND 'F' were named in the line-up. Hopefully this football-factory of a family (Mrs Triallist must be a shadow of her former self) has produced the required standard of players for the Bay. 

It was good to see the hot weather had brought out the Bay's Cafe culture once again with the lovely Ann enjoying her Cappuccino Frotheramo alongside Chris and the delightful Jean, new owner of the Tommy's Tea Hut franchise. She was enjoying a Super-Whipperama Froth-magic while Chris was having a can of diet Coke! You've got class, there, son!

Don't forget to ask for the above drinks next time you visit your favourite Hillheads Emporium!

The team was a complete mystery to Bay fans: not just because of the influx of the Triallist boys!

Apart from Peter 'the Raven', Call A and Michael Bell, the rest were new to the recent team. Unfortunately goalkeeping looks to be a tricky position to fill, I was informed. Tom Kindley's return to the field after a lengthy period of absence ended prematurely. In goal tonight we had youngster Andrew Gibson from the reserves. Unfortunately in the reserves he played as a defender: a fact that was quickly found out by the experienced Morpeth forwards. After 24 minutes, the Bay were 4-0 down and certain negative soothsayers behind the goal were declaring a 12-0 defeat would be the result. 

Myself and the boy Mark still held some hope as we sat swinging our feet. 

I was delighted, just three minutes later when the lads scored their first goal of the season, or rather it was scored for them; courtesy of a morpeth defender who stretched in front of an unknown (by us anyway) Whitley attacker.

A slim chance of restored pride looked on the cards and the lads began to assert themselves more: for a couple of minutes anyway. Unfortunately, the four-goal difference was quickly restored. The lads certainly didn't deserve to be so far adrift at half time but the stark facts were staring them in the face. Pride was very much at stake! 

I had found a new spot to attach my camera by the time the second half started, however switching it to record proved beyond me as new boy Jack Foalle scored to begin the fightback. The lads suddenly had more impetus and confidence and Morpeth seemed to have lost theirs as the lads were quicker to everything. I had started recording by the time, the second eldest Triallist brother, B, Headed home and the lads were certainly flying. 

The Bay pressed forward with enthusiasm and purpose but eight minutes later, the result was sealed. Morpeth scored: 6-3. Although the boys continued to create chances and the visiting substitute keeper had to be on his metal to turn away a number of shots, there were no more goals. The second half had been a remarkable improvement and there was no shame in defeat. 

Saturday's visit of Sunderland U23s will need an improvement, especially in goal and defence (perhaps we could get a dedicated goalkeeper?). It will also be interesting to hear what plans Andy and Mick have for the team at the talk-in after the game...and whether they have been able to sign the players they wanted. This club deserves to have a top half team. At the moment, I don't think we are there yet. 

If the wantaway three players can get themselves new clubs then maybe we will be able to bring in new talent to significantly boost the team...at the moment though it is a big if!

Haway the Bay!