24.7.19 Blyth (a)

Before this latest blog, I would like to pay my own tribute to the loss of our dear friend, Tommy Moody:

RIP Tommy

Picture courtesy of WBFC Twitter

One of my favourite Hillheads memories was the day the legend that is Tommy was rewarded for his services to the club by the naming of his beloved Tea hut after him. The man was a fantastic figure both around Hillheads and the Whitley Bay running circuit. Many a Saturday morning started with a Parkrun on the Links, where he often marshalled, and a discussion of the Bay's chances that day. His enthusiasm for both sports was boundless. It was a lovely gesture to see the Teahut, from which he always served the Boy Mark and I enormous Cola bottles, with it's sign erected. Long may it remain so named because he was a fantastic character with a great sense of humour. I will never forget his favourite way of addressing us "What sweets would the children like today?"

My thoughts are with his family, who I know have been bowled over by the response from his Hillheadian friends. 

Gone but not forgotten.

The school summer holidays have arrived and I was delighted, not only by the kind words from parents and children, but also the cards and presents from the children in my NE29-based school. My favourite has to be the one from the young man who has now moved on to high school and would always take great delight in celebrating next to me whenever Shields scored. The thought was definitely there but I'm not quite sure on the labelling!

The fun of a goal spree against Ellington was followed up by a similar festival against West Auckland Tams. The Wearside League outfit had stepped into the breach, at the last minute, replacing Marske United who were unable to raise a team. This, in itself, must have been a disappointment and concern for the ex-Northern Leaguers but it was also a disappointment for the home fans hoping for a cracking battle with old rivals: Nathan's former club. Played in an almost non-stop deluge, there was nothing for it but to don the wbayblogger poncho of camouflage. This action was likened to my audition for the Grim Reaper in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. My audition for which was disappointing as I felt I had it nailed only to lost out to William Sadler. Thanks Jeremy, for capturing my reprise of the role.

Grim Reaper aka wbayblogger: courtesy of WBFC's Jeremy Twitterbod

The following Tuesday it was back to Hillheads against Northern League Div 2's Ryton and Crawcrook that was played out under a beautiful evening sky. From the ridiculous to the sublime. Unfortunately the atmospheric pleasantness didn't suit the lads and they had to recover from a 2-goal first half deficit. Even so, only a Ryton equaliser robbed the Bay of the win.
Worryingly, the lads had looked second best at home to a team in a league below us and this was repeated when Sunderland West End snatched a 2-1 win. Once again, the unpredictability of the Northeast's weather systems had seen the match played out during torrential downpours. This had not been to the liking of my holidaying Mexican buddy Ned Kelly who tried his hand, unsuccessfully, at upstaging my Reaper performance. The two toughest tests so far and they lads had come up short on both occasions.
It was almost a full complement of wbayblogger buddies that set off for Croft Park the following Wednesday, with The Boy Mark driving Running Neil and I to an extremely sunny Blyth Spartans. Memories of mine and Neil's first footie 'date-night' were jogged by the sight of the stands: a real footie ground with roofed stand on all sides. There were even home fans with their team's shirts on! A rare treat to see! It felt like an actual occasion! There were over 400 fans there for a friendly... and not all of them were Bay fans!

The Three Amigos thoughtful under Blyth's roofed terrace!

To add even more excitement to the occasion, the teamshirt I managed to photograph had been printed on a computer... none of this Bic biro nonsense for these posh Blyth boys! And it was only a friendly. Crazy days!
Jeff Smith was back and it looked like his absence from the team sheet had been down to a rather nice continental excursion, judging by his tan.

A proper ground with stands and that.

After all the excitement, the match was a real battle and both teams looked to be desperate to please their managers. Although Blyth dominated possession, the lads looked good on the break and Ramsay almost succeeded in robbing Blyth's Mark Foden in goal on two separate occasions but lacked the support to make anything of the opportunities. It showed the fight that had been missing during large chunks of the previous two games and must have boosted the lads confidence. 

Unfortunately, Blyth showed just why they were three leagues higher than the Bay with two clinical finishes that flattered the home team at the break. The second goal was scored seconds before the half time whistle. 

Wandering around at half time it was interesting to note a now possible holiday destination. 

The Boys are thinking who could they get to take a holiday in North Korea? The list could surely grow!
 Is there a charter plane leaving from Blyth's International Airport?

Into the second half and the lads managed to pull themselves back into the game and it was Mrs Triallist's dear little Sammy D (Dinsley) who was set up perfectly by a superbly worked freekick to head home. That one had definitely been worked out on the training ground. The Bay's Anderson creating the space for SDT! Nice.

Despite some fantastic battling and effort, there was to be no equaliser but the lads had won the second half and restored some pride. The jury is still out on how they will fair when the competitions start in ernest but tonight's signs were promising.