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!