26.12.19 - North Shields (a)

The Blogger family was 3/4 present, the exception being Blogger the youngest, who was in Tokyo for the year. There was no way I could let Mrs Blogger escape attending the derby after her successful appearance in the previous game. Joining us was Blogger the Eldest, back from University. The early start meant a real challenge to get everybody out of the house in time to get to NE29 and find a place before kick off. But, credit to the Blogger family, we managed it.
Queueing up to get into the ground was a novel experience, as well as spending nearly £20 on our tickets. But then there were three of us with a programme thrown in. Not wanting to show any animosity, I gave Nashy a friendly wave, although blotted out his disparaging banter aimed at the Whitley fans.

An interesting item of news there!

The ground looked to be filling up steadily but it looked like the attendance wasn't going to be an amazing one. It did appear that the great and good of Whitley had turned up. Running Keith and his son had also made it along with Long Hair and his statistically encyclopedic son. What they don't know about the Northern League, isn't worth knowing.

It tool a while for the lads to settle but after a couple of early scares, it was a bit of a shock to see the lads ahead. Michael C was put through on goal and brought down by Shields number one, Greg Purvis.

Up stepped Coleby Shepherd, who slammed home after Purvis had dived the wrong way. Maybe too early in the morning to go bonkers but welcome all the same.

Sadly, the travelling fans began to worry as Shields upped their game and it looked like James Martin had slipped as he perfectly headed across his own goal. It was Scott McCarthy who reacted quickest to hit his shot into the top of Dan Lister's goal. The young lads were fighting but the experience of the Shields team was giving them the upper hand. It was a bit of a relief for the visitors when the half-time whistle was blown.
1-1

Hmmmmmmmm... Are there really 676 here? My calculation is 347.

At half time, there was a real example of how to play as some Whitley-supporting lads had a kickabout. What was so impressive was the way two of the lads managed to deliver some cracking passes whilst holding a hotdog each.

Spot the two hotdogs!

The cold was beginning to creep in but Michael C was terrorising the home defence as the Bay started strongly. He was unlucky to see a couple of efforts saved but every time a Bay player looked to have a shooting chance, the Shields' defence closed them down as they dallied. The lads needed to have more confidence in their own ability to shoot first time.

The pitch was having more of an effect on the match as the Bay's short passes struggled to reach their destinations. Also, the experienced Shields grew in confidence and despite a few break away efforts, the Bay were second best to most balls.

It was Paul Van-Zandvliet who powered in at Dan Lister's far post to head the home team ahead. Soon after, Dan ran out to head clear but, the wind tricked him and his glanced header flew back towards his own goal, instead of towards the touchline. Shield's Callum Smith stabbed home to seal the win.
The game was effectively over and it got worse as Whitley's Martin was beaten all-ends-up. His tackle earned him a second yellow card and an early bath/shower/wet-wiping. His first half booking had looked to me to be a cracking tackle to stop a Shields attack but the ref saw things differently and Martin was on his way. 
The match drifted to a close and a sad defeat for the visitors. Another El Classicoast derby and another defeat. The young lads had come a long way in the last few games but our nearest and dearest were just too strong and experienced. Rome wasn't built in a day, Nathan and co still had work to do!
North Shields 3 The Bay 1

21st December 2019 - Seaham Red Star (h)

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Gobsmacked was an understatement. My wife had volunteered to come to today's game. I hadn't asked if she fancied coming or put any pressure on her, she was coming willingly!
I was immediately a bag of nerves. Could she cope being subjected to some of the performances I and other Bay fans had had to endure? She was a Boro fan, I told myself, and used to suffering. Would the cold of a Hillheads afternoon be too much for her? The sight of her wearing all of her wardrobe told me she was prepared for the weather. She had volunteered after all! The only part of the deal I had to keep up was that I would help with the Morrisons shop after the game. Sounded fair enough, even if we were going to the MASSIVE one in Preston Grange, not our cosy Hillheads one!
So it was that, with ten minutes to kick off, I was still waiting for her. Kick off was looming and we hadn't even set off. Retribution for all the mornings I had kept her waiting to get to work? This was far more important!
We emerged through the turnstile at 3:02 and the game was underway. Not a situation I'm comfortable with but the score was 0-0. I was also not comfortable with the idea of handing over money to get her in. My turnstile experience was usually one of waving a season ticket as I breezed through. Apparently, it was not enough to wave cash, you had to hand it over! Who knew? The programme hut was being closed when I purchased the last programme...with a team sheet!
Something strange was happening at the Bay, though. Not only were Nathan's boys winning games but there was a clutch of new signings for our early Christmas presents. In came forward Marcus Giles, who had scored for Ashington here the week before. Also arriving was Kieron Olsen from Carlisle, how and why we managed to snag a player from a League 2 side many won't care if he shows us his potential. He is a player who has worked his way up through the ranks at Carlisle only to be released by them in February. It's even more evidence of Nathan's long reaching reputation and appeal as well as an lot of hard work on the part of Mr Magic Fergie Ferguson.
Brad Hird found himself on the bench to accomodate Marcus while Michael C retained his spot alongside Coleby Shepherd, himself only here a few weeks. Luke Taylor was back in after his suspension and Scott Lowery was captain.

The personal welcome from Director Martin was only to be expected but a really nice touch.
Conscious that Mrs Blogger doesn't walk as quickly as me, I kept on checking she was still with me. Hurrying past Tommy's tea hut then the new stand, I began setting up the goalcam but just as we rounded the Allotment End corner, Michael C was through on goal and had scored! I was gutted to miss a goal for the first time in... well, a while anyway! "Surely you'd prefer them scoring to not scoring," the wise Mrs Blogger told me. I still felt a little disappointed. Always the perfectionist.

By the time I was all set with the goalcam, Seaham were level. A fact that Smithy behind us on the empty terrace had missed because he was checking on the big city's black and white shower. They were 0-0.
I was shocked to be personally attacked soon after by Seaham's Scott Young who objected to me calling for a freekick when he tried to give a Bay player a pre-Christmas cuddle. The final word of his cry of "Shut up you stupid £$%@ was missed by my sensitive ears and Mrs Blogger's because we are now over a half century old and are unable to hear profanities. Smithy behind us, heard it in glorious technicolour. The advantages of youth?
There followed four whole minutes of parity before the Bay were ahead. It was Michael C who stretched ahead of my new best friend to turn in a cross to score. He really is looking stronger since returning back to the first team.

The Bay were flying and MC was leading the charge, despite his lack of height compared to the defensive pairings. It wasn't long before MC had earned his first hat-trick for the Bay. He was on hand to flick the ball over his shoulder and that of Seaham's Chris Bannon. Mrs Blogger's magic was well and truly rubbing off on the players... or MC at least!

He almost scored a fourth with a cheeky overhead flick but he was denied by Chris Bannon's deft touch over the bar. There hadn't been any time for inconsequential banter as the chances kept rolling in.

The half ended in great fashion when my favourite opposition number 2 of the day put through his own net, under pressure from new boy Marcus Giles. What a shame!

Cheer up, it may never happen.
Oh it has!

Mrs Blogger peruses the programme
with great interest, of course!
Note: full wardrobe may not be included in photo.

The dream that had been the first half gave way to a bit of a dull second half for the first four minutes. However, new boy Marcus got his first goal for the Bay to make it 5-1. My application for Mrs Blogger's half season ticket was in the post. This time it was MC who had played him in to finish expertly.

The lads pressed forward but we had to wait until the 70th minute before our patience was rewarded by another goal. Another sublime finish from Gilesy!

The final word had to be from skipper Scott (Lowery) when he finished with aplomb; another super footballing move. 7-1 and life was good again.

The Bay had now won their last three games and given us great hope for the rest of the season. Mrs Blogger's complete wardrobe had stopped her from becoming an icicle and she had enjoyed the match. I got to wander around BIG Morrisons and then there was a takeaway from the brilliant Bay restaurant, the Ahar, to celebrate with. They even gave me a Christmas card.
I hope you have a great Christmas, dear readers and look forward to seeing in NE29 on Thursday. Don't forget that 11am kick off. I'll be working on Mrs B to come and work her magic again, then. You bet!

14th December 2019 - Ashington (h)

I really am becoming a fairweather blogger as I couldn't bring myself to write anything after the home defeat to Penrith. Lee Kerr's late penalty was well struck but hardly an amazing one that would stand out as goal of the season. The eventual 2-1 defeat left my creative juices empty on a night when I could have done with some.
The following Tuesday, the lads travelled to Hebburn's excitingly titled Energy Check Sports Ground, and another drubbing was expected but after trailing at half time, they stormed back to win 2-1. Gobsmocked most Whitley fans probably were, as Yoda might say.
Today, it was winter woolies to the ready as a cold wind rattled through Hillheads and a weak sun struggled to warm, never mind defrost. Still, the football would warm us up... wouldn't it?

 Could the lads achieve a second consecutive win for the first time this season? For the first time, my hopes were reasonably confident. The feeling around the stadium was that if they couldn't manage to win today then Tuesday's win would count for little.
With Christmas looming, the crowd was once again disappointingly low but then this was a relegation battle between two teams who had a great rivalry.
The lads made a great start and were creating opportunities galore.

However, the man-mountain that was Adam McHugh was up to everything Whitley could throw at him. Connor Smith, in particular, was causing all sorts of bother to Ashington's left flank but as his efforts continued to be thwarted, he grew more and more frustrated.
There was great delight for him when he finally managed to beat McHugh with a cracking strike. The Bay were 1-0 up.

The noise and excitement brought some unexpected visitors as a flock of seagulls flew down to see how the game was going.

Birds courtesy of the Kinnon

It was at this point that Claire revealed her distrust for our feathered friends as they hovered above us. Her only course of action was to run away. Thankfully, they flew away as the game began to drift a bit. Obviously they had a short attention span. Guess I won't be introducing Claire to my chickens any time soon.
There was just time for a bit of pingpong in front of the Ashington goal before the half time whistle blew.
The second half had a rude awakening as the clear skies turned black in a matter of seconds and then proceeded to soak the 265 brave souls present.

Not impressed with this weather?

The lads looked to be trying to make the game safe, but once again the chances came and went and the 1-0 lead began to look a bit fragile.

In the space of three minutes, the game had been turned on its head, as Marcus Giles and Ben Sampson gave the visitors a 2-1 lead. What with the lead and the weather, Hillheads suddenly became a scene of stunned disbelief. Even Mr Programme Editor Hall was left speechless.
Thankfully, the lads were still keeping themselves warm by running around like mad things and finally, the Ashington rearguard action was beaten. Mickey C was finally rewarded for his hard work when he steamed in between two defenders to turn in a right wing cross. His desperation for the win was evident as he ran into the net with little celebration before running with the ball to halfway.

The game looked to be heading for a draw as both sets of defences fought fiercely and rain lashed down. But, Lewis Orrell had other ideas. Cutting inside a defender, he chip/curled a cracking shot over McHugh's head. The rain, that had turned to snow, even stopped briefly!

Yet still the Bay weren't finished, as substitute James Proctor's run on goal was ended bravely by McHugh.

Ashington's late rally caused concern but there was finally a happy ending for us! The Bay had managed to get three points again for the first time this season.
I was rather pleased! Now there are 2 teams that can't catch us if they won all their games in hand. Happy days.

3-2, courtesy of Claire!

30th November 2019 - Northallerton (h)

Being a Bay fan can be a lonely affair at times but as I turned the corner by Marden Bridge School there were other people walking up Hillheads road in the direction of the ground!
Newcastle had only just finished drawing 2-2 with some team called Manchester City (what sort of name is that? Need a proper name like West Allotment Celtic!) yet still there were people heading in my direction! Sadly six of my fellow walkers promptly dived in their cars and drove off. Three jumped on a bus and the remaining four went for a spot of ice skating. For a few precious moments I was not alone.

Another busy day at the Hillheads turnstiles?

It had been three weeks since our last game, rain putting paid to the fixtures in between so it would have been good to have seen the hordes streaming up the hill to get their fix of non-league footie. But alas, no, they weren't. A missing army of Christmas shoppers?

Excitedly, the usual crew were boosted by the welcome return of Keith and Daz Gibson, the former hopefully on the road to recovery. At least the sun was shining to cheer us up, a nice change from all the endless soakings we have had. I was also delighted to see Chris Wednesday for his first appearance of the season. Resplendent in his Sheffield woolly hat, we were soon joined by the legends that are Bob and Moira. Bob was sporting a stripy Bay woolly hat and was hoping to encourage the Bay fraternity into adopting his new method of wearing their hats to allow TEC (Total Ear Coverage).

Where's your hat Moira? Bucking the trend as usual! #Anarchistic

I was also pleased to note that my new coat from TK Maxx was allowing an extra level of warmth previously unfelt before and that extra pair of socks at the last minute was turning out to be a good move!

Since our last match, we had seen the departure of Craig Spooner to West Auckland but on the plus side, it was great to see the return of Robo to the starting line up. Bob was made up and every few minutes, he took great delight in repeating "It's good to see Robinson back in the starting line up, I like him!" The advantages of being an experienced member of society being that you can repeat the same thing over and over again and nobody bats an eyelid. 

After a bright Bay opening, Northallerton came back at the lads and Lister had to stretch to turn away an excellent chance, while Callum Anderson came up with a timely tackle to deprive Northallerton of a clear shot at goal. The home goal was certainly leading a charmed in life until a Town corner was turned in. 

This galvanised the Bay, with Robo and birthday boy Brad working well together, chinks began to appear in the visiting defence. Robo's (I'm assuming) Movember effort was worthy of praise...

Take a bow for that 'tache, son!

....and so did his goal, which totally bewildered Town's Thomas Dawson as it looped over him.

The Bay forwards were now smelling fresh meat and they powered forward, ably supplied by great service from Connor Smith and Luke Salmon on the wings. Whenever Town broke there were the trio of Anderson, Lowery and Orrell to break up their attacks and return the Bay onto the attack.

The Bay were soon ahead when Birthday Boy Brad scored with a sublime shot that drifted into Dawson's top right corner.

There was pandemonium behind the goal; Bob's hat got slightly knocked off his left ear.

But with the setting sun behind them, BBB (Birthday Boy Brad) revelled in his new-found Ready-Brek glow. 

After Lister came out to save bravely. the lads pressed forward for more...

The 258 present had certainly, mostly, enjoyed the first half and were glad that we had made the effort on what was turning into a chilly day.

The second half started slowly as the pitch started to get a bit slippy as the temperature dropped. It allowed Chris and Moira to engage their welcome new segment to the matchday experience: Tea Talk. This involved them discussing the virtues of loose tea leaves, that can be used more than once, over teabags, with their plastic coating of the actual bag! Not content with all this excitement, they then went on to expand upon the benefits of Ringtons Tea and having a cup of tea with some wine! It was riveting.

Thankfully the game picked up and it was the Bay who were creating the better chances.

One...

After another...

After another...

After another...

With memories of the previous home game's late Stockton equaliser, Town looked to be about to repeat that trick as they pressed. However, after some scary moments, the ref blew for full time to the relief of the home faithful. The Bay had won their first home league game since August. They had certainly made hard work of it, but it was a welcome one nevertheless. Next match... another three points is needed against Penrith. Then we could really celebrate with a tea and wine party!
"It's good to see Robinson back in the starting line up, I like him!" said Bob as we left. Hear! Hear! We all cried jubilantly.