In typical wbayblogger tradition, I had missed the league game of the season when the Bay outplayed leaders Hebburn 4-1 the previous saturday. The chance to spend a day with my eldest daughter at a day of music in Manchester proved too strong to resist. Local legends Sam Fender (did I mention I taught him when he was 8?) and the Pale White needed my support after all!
Therefore, today I was out to make amends for my lack of loyalty towards the Bay and hope I could enjoy a home win against a team they had beaten 6-1 in August. My first aim was to catch all of the Bay goals on video for the first time this season. A new techique was employed: videoing done in 10 minute sequences with a short break in between. I would not be defeated in my quest for documenting the Bay's attacking prowess.
Long-haired Andrew, the Benfield fan appeared along with son Thomas and I tried to not get too excited when they railed at the weaknesses of their own team. Unfrotunately the big factor was the appointment of new manager Tom Wade in the preceding week. Always a bad sign!
The rain that had soaked the Boy Mark and I at parkrun looked to be on its way out as we left the car to squeeze through the increasingly narrowing gap that exists between the back fence of the Hillheads Road houses and the Scout hut field. I'm sure that, in the week, they get the scouts to push their fence to gradually extend their field without anyone noticing. Bay fans be warned: those Scouts are up to no good! No good comes of a woggle!
There didn't seem to be that many fans there when we arrived but by kick off 455 souls had arrived and there were a few fans from Benfield along to add to the fun!
I was looking forward to seeing the Bay's new Romanian superstar Andre Ardrelean but Thomas put the dampeners on my excitement by giving his frank opinion of a player he had seen at Team North. He surely couldn't mean our new striker!
Before kick off, Andy Gowen's new tactic to win games was revealed as no less than 25 Bay players of varying ages ran onto the pitch.
An early shout for a foul on Foalle was turned down but the swift one was not to be denied and when the legs of a Benfield defender were wrapped around his ankles, he tumbled and had no qualms at appealling for a penalty which he was duly awarded.
Up stepped Gavin Caines...
Cool as you like, as the keeper dived one way he rolled the ball into the other. 1-0 to the Bay after 18 minutes. Soon after there was double delight for the Bay as a shot from the edge of the box flew into Benfield's Granger's net: 2-0 to the Bay. A super Salmon strike!
Unfortunately, the Bay took their foot off the peddle and Benfield roared back, to the accompaniment of some of their pleasantly sporting fans. "This isn't good enough Benfield!" "Sort it out!" "Work!" were some of their more encouraging remarks.
But the visitors were roaring back and only Craig McFarlane's backside prevented a goal in the 31st minute. This was followed by a triple B save sequence...Bannen then the bar and another Bay backside. It was backs and bums to the wall time!
Thankfully, half time arrived and we were still 2-0 ahead!
Unfortunately the Bay luck ran out in the second half as the lead was wiped out by the 56th minute. Sadly for the Bay, 2-2 was a fair reflection of the game. I was glad Thomas and Andrew had chosen to stand with their Benfield buddies in the second half.
Foalle almost scored with a superb lob (the only Bay attack I didn't manage to catch as the camera was cooling). However his effort dropped wide and Peter Andre wasn't able to help this time by keeping the ball in play.
The chances came at both ends but Foalle was denied by the impressive Granger who was confidently dominating his area.
It looked like the Bay would rue the missed chances when Benfield were awarded a penalty but Super Bannen came up trumps with a super safe. Soon after, we thought Jack Foalle had sealed the victory, pouncing on another rebound to make the score 3-2 with 18 minutes left.
The Bay might have had a penalty when the ref told Issy and Benfield's Robson to stop their personal battle.
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| I'm watching...always watching! Shame you weren't watching the same as everyone else! |
He told them he was watching but when Robson's arms were lovingly wrapped around Issy, Mr Ellis decided that Issy had backed into both Robson and Granger.
With the last kick of the game, Benfield had the last laugh, bundling home a 93rd minute corner.
It was a fair result overall but frustrating to draw so late on. At least I managed to catch all three goals on camera. A first for the season at least.
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