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