9th November 2019 - Stockton (h)

Feeling warm? Didn't think so.
Just keep smiling. Need a warm
hat like Bob's!

It was one of those afternoons that started with a slow, solitary shuffle up the hill to the ground. At least I wouldn't be alone. Silly Andrew had texted me following a terse social media discussion about Remembrance Day. He had said would it be worth coming and in my frame of mind at the time I replied
"Probably not, but we always travel in hope!"
This was a reflection of current league results. Okay the lads were unlucky at West Auckland when a goal, miles over the line, was not given and the Bay were deprived of a 2-1 lead. Soon after, a rush of blood to Luke Salmon saw him get sent off and the rest was history. The lads lost 5-1 and we had had to bid farewell to Supermac.
The following Tuesday, the lads had shown their metal, battling back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Thornaby, spelt Thoraby by the locals. I had had my hopes raised too many times to allow myself any optimism so a grumpy git it was going to be!
True to his word, Silly Boy was there, slightly unprepared for the chilliness to follow but there nonetheless.
Also there was a decent following from Stockton. However, they were in serious bother right from the start as they had angered the wrath of Julian by placing their flags over the windows of the 'director's lounge'. He is a man you'd want to avoid in a darkened alley! There is no end to our favourite photographer's talents... super-snapper, ballboy, social media guru and now enforcer! Needless to say the Stockton faithful didn't mess!

Flags too high! Call for Super Julian!

Supersnapper lays down the law!

True to his word, Nathan was picking only those players who were performing and there were noticeable absences but that has to be the way forward as the team doesn't have the luxury of playing out-of-form players. It was also good to see Micheal Colquhoun back in the first team fold after his recent loan spell.
Stockton could go top if they won their six games in hand on leaders Hebburn, while if results went against us, the Bay could end up bottom. Things were tight for both teams. We needed to start winning games and fast. Although on a slightly positive note, we have played more games against the top half teams than the bottom half teams: 8 against lower teams and 9 against higher teams. Gripping at straws? You bet!

After a perfectly observed minute's silence the game settled into a bit of a stalemate with no real chances. The chatter behind the goal started with Kinnon's knowledge of Shadows songs. It then went onto a strange woman from Stockton who likes jumping on stage to dance with her favourite touring bands. Finally, it went onto songs written for Levi 501 adverts in the 80s. The band focussed on were Stiltskin who, in my opinion, had a fantastic choral number then riff opening, which was featured in the advert. Sadly, I thought the rest of the song was disappointing. Kinnon disagreed and Silly was barely aware of such things at his early years.

Mary 'from Stockton' performs with Newcastle electro outfit Twist Helix!

One thing you could say about the first half was that the Bay were working extremely hard and although Stockton were having most of the play, the Bay had their own moments of hope. Admittedly, the lads were not creating many clearcut chances.

The same could not be said of Stockton and there was great relief when Dan Lister saved at the second attempt and another chance was cleared off the line. It really was all hands to the pump at times. Thankfully, the scores were level by the break and, after recovering from a distressing incident with an extremely hard curly wurly, it was great to see the Bay had grown in confidence. There were chinks appearing in the Stockton armour and it was returning captain McFarlane who was running the show. 

On came Mickey C  and despite his sleight frame, he was looking comfortable on the ball and showing great determination. On also came new arrivee Jake Martindale from Brighouse Town for his first appearance. Proctor and Hird leaving had worked hard and played a full part in the team's performance.

Most of the 398 erupted in celebration when a Connor Smith cross eluded two Bay players and Supermc (see what I did there?) was on hand to drill home via keeper Callum Roberts' leg. Against all the odds the Bay were ahead with 14 minutes left. 

Bob and Moira were going mad!

Also going mad was referee Steven Lawson who was doing a job that was more like Nigel Lawson's political career as he seemed to favour his near neighbours, Stockton. He certainly didn't like the Bay celebrating their goal. Had someone at the Bay upset him? 

Craig goes to celebrate with the ref then upsets Steven Lawson by celebrating with his team-mates instead , who gets the huff. He only just wanted to be one of the lads!

Did he have a cheeky bet on an away win? Hopefully, his decisions wouldn't matter as the Bay were playing so well.

Stockton were suddenly rocking and it was Martindale who had all the time in the world (sort of) to score but his effort just trickled wide of the advancing Roberts.

Stockton's reply was to hit the Bay post but then Mickey C ran through and shot wide. with two minutes of normal time left. 

Bay hearts were well and truly in mouths. A Stockton tackle from behind sent a Bay player flying but 'Nigel' Lawson was having none of it, his reduced odds on a draw were calling to him. Instead, he gave the visitors a freekick on the edge of the Bay box for a similarly justified challenge. Sadly, it was Town who took advantage through Jamie Owens, scoring late into injury time.

We'd have taken a point at the start but it was disappointing not to get the three points. Hebburn next week... an easy three points? Hmmmm. 

It's a point!

October 2019 A tale of two cup games... and a few other things.

The arrival of Josh McDonald, onloan for the month from Halifax town, had had an amazing effect on the Bay. On his debut, he scored in the 2-1 defeat at Newton Aycliffe, then followed this up with a great performance at home to Shildon. The Bay, having led 1-0 from a first half penalty, ran out of steam and luck when the high-flying visitors scored two in five minutes to win the game 2-1.

However, Josh had inspired his loaned team to a 5-1 win at Durham and a 6-2 win at Sunderland RCA. The Hirdster seemed to benefit the most from his new wingman, helping himself to goals aplenty. 

15.10.19 Birtley Town (h) League Cup Group H

A handy
programme stand. Does
Barry sell them in his shop?

Birtley Town arrived for a midweek League Cup tie. A win for the Bay would see them into the knockout stages of the cup. 

The Bay went at the visitors right from the off but when the Bradster stepped up to take a penalty, his shot was saved. However, not long after the Bay were awarded a second penalty and this time Super-Stevo smacked home to give the Bay the lead.

The small crowd were delighted when Super-Stevo doubled the lead. A superbly-placed penalty evading the keeper's grasp. There were jitters for the 185-crowd when Birtley converted their own penalty at the beginning of the second half. But Lewis Orell was on hand to settle the nerves. Unfortunately, the daft so-and-so who has his go-pro set up behind the goal to record these moments forgot to turn it on!

Mr Daftie didn't have long to redeem himself as Supermac's cross was met by Hirdy. 4-1.

Next up, it was Lewis Orrell who wriggled into the box and finished with aplomb at the keeper's near post. Soon after Supermac decided he would do the same and he made the final score 6-1. 

A very happy crowd left Hillheads. 

Bedlam at the final whistle!

Birtley Town - early leader for
hideous away kit of the season!

Birtley keeper John Mordey
early leader for politest
goalkeeper.
Lovely manners!

22nd October Newcastle University (h) NSC 1

Bob enjoys wBayblogger's
contribution in the programme.

Without a game on the Saturday, due to the team's inability to win any FA Cup or Vase game, it was a return to Hillheads, once again for a midweek game. This time it was against Newcastle University from the Northern League Division 2.

Bob and Moira brought Jane with them and we were soon celebrating a Superstevo slightly-stooping header after 3 minutes. 

Within 20 minutes, it was another Super-Stevo show when he converted a Connor Smith cross.

The lads were in total control and although the Uni fought back, Lister and co were in commanding form at the back.

Julian turns ballboy as he parries the ball, avoiding any damage to
 the thousands of pieces of photographic equipment he carries around.

We were jumping for joy again when Hirdy was put through and finished with great aplomb!

For a final party piece of the half, the Bradster added the fourth. It was a nice feeling.

Woodie, who had snuck out of parenting duties for the night, kept reminding us that he had only witnessed Bay victories so far this season. Lucky Bugger! There's nothing worse than a smug supporter but the big question was would we have won without Woodie or not? Because of child-care issues, he has only been able to see the three home league cup games and the victory over Bishop Auckland. Sadly, that Bishops game was the only time the Bay have managed a home victory in the league. However, it didn't do to dwell since the lads were doing so well.
Things were a little slower in the second half and we had to wait a whole 20 minutes for Robo to tuck in number five.

Just like buses, the next goal soon arrived. This time it was Super-Stevo banging in his third.

It was certainly a good night to be a Bay fan. We would have to make the most of these two victories, Bob told us. I had to admit, it was a worry all right. Supermac's loan spell was nearly over and then where would we be? 

His swansong turned out to be an unlucky deafeat at West Auckland. The simply fact was that we just couldn't afford him. Alledgedly, he was earning £800 a week at Halifax. No way we could afford that sort of wage. The flipside of that is how come Halifax, in the Conference North, could afford that sort of money either?

That apart, he had been a pleasure to watch and hopefully he will have given the lads the believe that they can go out and win games against teams in the our own league.

Tonight we had hammered a decent Divison 2, an achievement that we hadn't managed in August. 

There was also a feeling that we might have had some away supporters there. If the rumour was true, they had most certainly retired to the bar long before the end of the game! Either way, they will have contributed to the club's coffers as the crowd was announced as 223. Certainly an improvement on the away following of their local Uni rivals.