4th January 2020 - Newcastle Benfield (h)

Hope is a dangerous thing. Even though the Bay have run most of their fans through the mill over the last few years, hope springs eternal. So it was for the visit to our second nearest and dearest. The run of form before the 'disaster' at Shields had given my belief in the boys back. There was also the return of Andy Jennison in goal after the Shields winds had made Dan Lister look somewhat foolish.
 I was also excited to try out my new GoPro for the blogs.
What could possibly go wrong?

In the interests of saving the planet, I took the metro to Walkergate and so arrived just after two o'clock... far earlier than I was used to. I meant I could socialise with the locals and explore Benfield's latest wood developments. Any chance Whitley can have a wooden roof behind the goals? We could ask Benfield where they get theirs!

Counting with Benfield?
5,6,7,8... coming next?
Interesting Steps.

Nice garden furniture for a BBQ area?

 I was immediately drawn towards the Benfield Lion who was growling meekly at anyone who would listen. What would Sammy the Bay Seahorse say? Snort at them? That would be neigh good!

His growl is as soft as his bite... apparently.

With the new camera attached securely, ready to catch all the flying Bay goals, I was joined by the young Mr Thompson, who was on top form with his recognition of each Bay player. My own eyes, lacked his 2020 vision and my brain also lacked his memory. I really need a team sheet in front of me to spot anybody as the FIFA 19 name circles idea is still only theoretical. 

The Bay were playing neat football on a pitch that was slightly better than our other neighbour's but the end product was lacking. 

It was the pesky old timer Paul Brayson, aged 326, who stunned the whole ground. There looked to be nothing on when he picked the ball up on his right wing. But the wise old bird simply launched the ball goalwards and as it nestled in Jennison's net, there was a stunned moment of silence before the home fans both celebrated. 

The Bay were stunned and it got worse for them as PB turned the ball home after a mix-up in defence.

Mr Thompson was enjoying Marcus Giles' wingplay but his finishing was causing him consternation. That was, until the ball was cleared from Benfield's bottom left corner into their own penalty area. It was Giles who reacted quickest to score with the sweetest of strikes. Thomper was satisfied.

It appeared to have been the best possible time to score and we were sure they would equalise in the second half. But Michael C, who had been a real terror to the home defence, was well marshalled, by fair means and foul. He certainly received some rough treatment but he found himself more isolated as the game wore on. It was a terrible tackle from Benfield's Reece Noble that effectively finished both MC's and Noble's afternoon. The former limping off injured and the other with a red card.

After that, there was little left of note although a late Bay burst to the far post saw the effort flash wide.

A disappointing start to 2020. At least I was offered a lift home, which meant I could warm up quicker than I would have done. 

The 150th wBayBlogger did not have a happy ending.