11.10.16 - Newton Aycliffe (h)

All that had happened was that the lads had won a game and Chan had stood (admittedly for a long time). The problems of the club didn't get forgotten. The squad was still threadbare, the debt was, probably, still there and the floodlight didn't seem to have been fixed. But a win puts a smile on a football club's face like nothing else can.
Tonight the lads were up against the second worst bad boys in the league (we were fourth worst - not helped by Elfie's two sendings off: Angelos certainly wasn't living up to his good name!). But our visitors were the quintessential bad boys, over 24 points worse than ourselves; the same as 3 straight red cards on the fair play league table. It was also galling to notice that not only were our North Shields buddies top of the Northern League but that they were also top of the Fair Play League! Splitters!
When the teams came out, it was entertaining to see our visitors had had to borrow one of our oldest (and probably smelliest) away kits after forgetting that our kit was blue and white and that it might clash with their all-blue affair: who knew? Not them, obviously.
Fryatt continued where he had left off against Washington and looked lively and physical. In fact none of the team shirked any of their challenges while Robbo looked to have re-discovered his fire. Patton managed the first real effort on goal and his super smash was saved by another candidate for Northern League Miserable Goalkeeper of the Year Award,  Lewis Brass...and he hadn't even conceded a goal at this point.
The Bay were not the only ones who were up for the fight as Barry carried on his one-man psycho routine by encouraging the lads with the old tactic of shouting out: "Get Jiggy With it". I couldn't resist asking the great man and was informed that it was a "forward play tactic".
Barry then began shouting out "That's what the chicken got!"
I knew he was leading onto some crap joke but I couldn't help myself: I had to know which chicken.
"The one who committed the foul!" laughed our entertaining friend as he carried on his route around the ground. Cracking!
There was better to follow, thankfully, as a superb Shanks dummy to confuse a defender on the edge of the box sent Robbo in. Faced by his own defender, the nimble striker produced his own footwork to send another visiting defender to the ground. He then unleashed a similar strike to the one that hit the far post the previous Saturday and bounced out. This effort indeed hit the post but then bounced in, to the delight of the massed hordes behind the goal. Grumpy was not amused. The good work was almost undone as Flynn had to turn over an Aycliffe effort just a few minutes later from eight yards out.

2-0: The Whitley hordes went wild!

The Bay of the start of the season had at last returned! Sir Isaac Newton Aycliffe's bad boys were not having things their own way! In the second half things were twice as good as Grumpy Brass called for the ball. However, before the ball could reach him, the Shankster had nipped in between them to both steal it and score into the gaping net. #Backofthenet!


Minutes later it was Robbo again, who did a Shanky one by appearing to tie his shoe lace up when Supermac found the Fryster hovering around the box. His pass across the face of goal was perfect for the fully laced-up Robbo to lash into the net for 3-0.

Claire and little Claire go mad!

Ah! Bless. So not happy!

Our evening was complete when, after a series of suspect tackles the ref decided somebody on the visiting side needed to have an early bath / shower / not bother. The roulette wheel of fate fell on their number 9: Dennis Knight, who gallantly left the field to chorus of boos.
There was still time for Robbo to complete his hat-trick but his closest effort came with a fine overhead kick that is probably still orbiting the Earth.

Penalty? No chance!

The three points lifted the Bay to ninth. The brave 198 souls who had shunned England's exciting - 0-0 draw with somebody from another country were well rewarded.
The problems at Hillheads are still there but the cracks have been papered over with another coat of three points!

8.10.16 - Washington (h)

My rant in the last blog was well received and even gave me my first ever comment on a blog post in 64 attempts so thanks for that Mr/Mrs/Miss Unknown:  it was gratefully received on my part.

My October was improving, I enjoyed a fantastic performance by soon-to-be stratosopheric (imho) indie rock sensations Blossoms, my signed copy of indie popsters White Lies' new album had landed on my mat and my man-flu was on the way out. Add to that my first Whitley Bay Park Run in two weeks and you could say life was on the up. Surely my good fortune would rub off on the lads!

My journey from Newcastle, where I had joined my better half and eldest daughter in a spot of shopping and lunching out, didn't go according to plan. Thanks to the wonderful 900 bus that was supposed to effortlessly and instantaneously whisk me from North Shields station to Whitley Bay, it had taken me an hour to get to the coast. I abandoned the Metro at Cullercoats at 3pm, raced home, grabbed my trusty stead (my bike of course - where do you think I live? Earsdon?) and arrived at Hillheads 15 minutes late. I thought the lads at the gate were joking when they said the Bay were 2-0 up and had to ask a number of fans before I finally believed it: Tommy the Tea Emperor doesn't lie! General Patton had scored a penalty after 4 minutes and Kyle Fryatt had produced a cracking bit of skill to beat a defender then score (apparently).

My immediate thought was that we were going to lose 3-2 and it would all be my fault but the lads were playing well, Chan was standing up and away from the bench and....the sun was shining! 

I was in time to see Shanks get booked and then witness a bizarre argument between Adam, Mr Bay Twitter, and Dale Connor in the Washington goal. It started when Josh (staying a bit longer at the Bay) Nearney went down in pain after 'heading' the ball. Connor shouted something helpful towards the ref doubting the validity of the stoppage in play. 

"It was a head injury!" helpfully called Adam.

"He should have headed it properly." replied our sensitive visiting keeper.

"Still a head injury"

"This is a man's game..."

"Still a head injury."

"All you big men behind there!" 

We studied the waist high pole that separated us then watched Josh being helped off the pitch to be replaced by Callum Munro.

Next thing we knew our friend was having a go at the Wandering Minstrel Barry. We dare not ask either what it was about for fear of either accusations of fans' bravado (protected by a waist high pole) or a protracted description that ended in an appalling joke. 

Instead Adam preferred to chunter on about: 

"The lack of keeper-supporter banter in the Northern League" 

"I love banter if it is any good." OOooooh! Mr Huffy! 

"You should have stopped the two goals shouldn't you?" 2-0 back of the net. Ha!

Kempster slides in.

Robbo then turned the ball past our friend and as he turned to celebrate, it bounced off what I thought was the post but had in fact been the diagonal pole supporting the post and base. It then rolled along the goal-line and out. The lino hadn't spotted it had crossed the line either, unfortunately.... but our at least our visiting chum was smiling.

Fryatt found himself through on goal but his attempted lob was easily saved.

In fact this was a much better Bay performance, with General Patton living up to his name and being the link we've missed in midfield. It was also nice to see Nick Allen back from injury and growing in confidence throughout the game. 

When the Shankster fluffed a chance there was a cry of "Shanky!" from Mr Twitter. Inadvertently this then became a new dictionary entry:

Shanky  adj: 'description of an action or object that promises much'

                     (to be said in a Sean Connery-esque voice or in a slightly creepy manner)

The man himself hit a cracking shot wide before being subbed along with Fryatt, who had played much better today. The Fryster had been more physical up front, taking players on more effectively in the same manner that had excited the fans in the pre-season friendlies. 

Back prowling the touchline!

The chances continued to come for the Bay and it was the Prof this time who was out of luck when Mr Grumpy saved his point blank effort. 

Was the fact that the Bay were playing well connected with the fact that Chan had ended his 'sit down protest'? In fact, Chan had not sat down on the bench at all so the moment I set off to record this event, the visitors' Marc Costello scored, forcing the Chan to sit down in shock. Thankfully the Great One resumed his touchline vigil and the Bay surged forward. At one point defender Ryan Keltie set off on a mazy dribble that ended with a charged down shot. Supersub Callum almost scored as the ball squirmed across the goal but beyond his despairing lunge. Supermac was also being found more often and his runs down the wing were causing more problems for Washington. He almost finished the day off with great aplomb as he fought his way into the box before playing keepy-uppy (last count was 17 - although this is probably exaggerated) to get the perfect shot. 

The performance was miles better than the previous two. At last we had a win. Next up: those nice lads and lasses from Newton Aycliffe.

The keepy-uppie king

The Kempstervator doesn't flinch....much!

Robbo charges in.

4.10.16 - Chester-le-Street (h)

What is going on?

Spot the Whitley Bay players?

The fans who were at Hillheads on Tuesday were treated to another forgettable night. The match itself was one of endeavour and occasional moments of skill but the Whitley team lacked the direction of a leader on the pitch and on the bench. Passes failed to get to Bay players, the teamwork from the start of the year season was missing: the team that had performed so well at the start of the season and given us so much hope was absent. The management very rarely left the dugout, except to announce substitutions (and even then I'm not sure if they stayed on the bench and turned on their disco light board from there).
SOMETHING AT OUR CLUB IS NOT RIGHT!
The match itself featured an unfortunate own goal to give Chester the lead on 22 minutes. This was soon followed by a Robo glanced effort that rolled in slow motion past their admiring keeper. However, ten minutes before half time a super curling effort, to Tom Flynn's top right post, from Chester's Callum Johnston returned the lead to the visitors. That was how it stayed. Despite the endeavour, there was no addition to the score. The '214' fans there deserved better, but what is happening?

The match passed me and the crowd in a blur!

How is that a club that boasts one of the best attendances in the league can exist with only three forwards? The voluntary effort that goes into the club each club is immense from the likes of Tommy and his tea Emporium, Adam, running the social media (he never stops updating the match stats throughout the game), the lovely programme team, Doug in the shop, Peter and David on the programme, Julian with his constant camera wanderings...the list goes on and apologies to those missed off. There are good people running this club: directors willing to put their face on the line for the club (sorry Ann) so why is it we keep hearing rumours of the club's massive debts and struggling to survive? Are we not the most successful club in FA Vase history?
Sadly those days are long gone so why are we not building for a brighter future? We had an extremely successful U19 team so they should be coming through, filling the gaps in the first team bench. Why do we get players named on the bench when they are injured and having no chance of playing? Robbo, Kielty, Harry Potter have all looked solid players and fitted in well so where are the rest?

Where's your fans?

Chan is still The Man! He has raised us up from the dark Paddy days and promised a minor miracle after some great results but injuries and suspensions have decimated an threadbare squad. Players have gone and not been replaced. Nineteen players on a Northern League squad isn't enough: (1 goalkeeper, 6 defenders, 7 midfielders and 3 forwards). Bottom club Chester-le-Street and Seaham have 24! The players look tired and so does the manager after being asked to work miracles time and again over the last few years.
The lack of new sponsorship around the ground needs looking at. It is good business sense to have as much advertising as possible yet the ads we have look tired and probably out of date. More adverts at a lower cost is surely better than a few. It is simle supply and demand (I learned that during A level economics lessons). Is there enough money to pay for the floodlight repairs needed or do we all need to bring torches to future night time matches?
As I have said there are so many good people, on the board and amongst the supporters who are working hard to move the club forward but it needs an honest approach with everyone together from the top to the bottom. We need more advertising, players and teamwork. Let the people who care about the club do their stuff.
Tuesday night was the first time I came away from Hillheads feeling so miserable and disillusioned. We now look up at North Shields, who have risen from non-existence and well done to them. Please don't let Whitley Bay go the same way!
Let's give Chan, the Prof, the Shankster, Kempstervator, Harry the Wizard Potter, Elfie (when he's back, Supermac, Flynny, General Patton et al the best support.
 Haway the Bay!
Proud to support the Bay!

1.10.16 - Seaham Red Star (a)

The previous week, I'm afraid I abandoned my post and accompanied my wife to see Middlesbrough lose 2-1 to a Spurs team that looked extremely impressive. However, in my absence, the Bay lost 2-0 in the FA Vase to Division 2 leaders Stockton. Despite the glamour of watching the likes of Valdes, Negredo, Deli Alli...it was Hillheads where I wish I had stayed. The things we do for love!
In the middle of the week, the lads were unlucky to lose 2-3 in the last minute away to Morpeth. By all accounts it was an extremely impressive display so I travelled with hope to Seaham with Woodie confident that we could get a win. My weekend had been disappointing as I had been struck down by man-flu: no Park Run for me either so a pick-me-up was needed: a trip to Seaham Red Star. What could be better?
As we entered the ground we were welcomed by the grating sounds of "Now that's what I call Rave Music" (probably).  My day got even worse as I emerged from the toilet to find Barry dancing to the self-same rave music on offer. The toilet cubicle, that had scrawled the terrifying "SR5: we we are here!" on it, also had no lock on the door: although it could be wedged closed then opened with a foot lodged under it. Thank the lord for the welcome sight of an antiseptic hand-wash; I know: what a wimp! There was also a noisy, brown Labrador that barked at every dog walker who walked past us. Those dog walkers, who are here at the match, instead of taking their faithful friend for their expected walk. Good job the cold and flu tablets were working! It was like Crufts...sort of.
Then the match started and my day took a nosedive. I, and probably everyone that was there connected with the Bay, wished someone could have done some kind of Jedi mind trick on us to make us forget that dismal afternoon. The fact that the sun was shining was scant consolation.
It basically went like this:
0-1: No!
0-2 No! No!
0-3 No! No! No!
Half time, cup of tea and chunky kitkat: nice!
0-4 We need to sign more Redheads as all these blond players are easy to mix-up!
1-4 Yay! Anderson's overhead kick saved and Fryatt pops in the rebound. We're going to win 5-4!
1-5 We're not. Oh! Bugger!
1-6 Can we go home now? Thank you.
The debate on the way home was whether the Duke of Northumberland, who we think owns the land Hillheads stands on would invest in the team: he owns the land my house stands on anyway. The chances though of this knight in shining armour arriving looks slim we decided because we are not a croquet, quoits or polo team.

Suffice to say, I will try to forget our visit but the scars will still remain. However, my Whitley shirt was immediately washed in preparation for the visit of Chester-le-Street.

17th September 2016 - Marske United (h)

The previous home game was one of those matches you never want to think about ever, ever again. Lost 5-1 to a very phyisical Ashington team with a ref who was living in the land of the Pixies. The Bay lost Mr Wilkinson - the Professor - early on to concussion. Later on it was Steve Gibson who had to be substituted when his knee came off the worse against the visitors. The final coup de resistance was the flying two-footed tackled aimed at the Shankster that only received a yellow card because the King of the Pixies didn't want to upset anyone from the former mining town.
The only bright spot of Tuesday night was the Kempstervator's diving header to make it 2-1.

Another glorious day at the Bay!

Today, although Shanks was named as sub, nobody expected him to come on. The other two were understandably missing from the line-up while Elfie, our Greek God-like person, watched the match from the stands with The Prof. TheBoyMark reminded me that I had forgotten the Prof had gone off with concussion even though it happened in front of me as Mr W chatted to us and told us that he remembered nothing of the evening. Thanks mate.

Sunhats to the fore!

But there was a bright spot to the desperate situation: Dave Berry was named on the subs bench. Like a knight in shining armour, the fitness guru was coming to the rescue again and Nearly Neil was beside himself with excitement. Neil, of course, is happily married and in no way a stalker Mr Berry!
After a settling-in period, the Bay were starting to play some good stuff, short and quick accurate passes. Chrissy-boy McDonald lashed in a great shot then a miss-hit shot was volleyed home by Ryan Keltie. We hadn't been expecting that!

Ten minutes later, Supermac, who was having a whale of a game, lashed in a shot but this time it sailed over, just missing an Easyjet coming in to Newcastle. Every one of the lads was putting their all into the game and there was more great battling from General Patton as he just failed to get a shot away after unsettling the visiting defence. Marske were completely unsettled. Robo was the next to take aim from the edge of the box and his effort was saved.

How's the match going? OK won't ask....

There followed a worrying moment of the game that can only be described as "Buggiegate". When Patton took aim at the goal, he certainly wasn't watching out for our 'little friends and their transportation'. However, as his shot blasted wide, its path was stopped by Mr Whitley Twitter's daughter's buggie. Luckily the young lady was elsewhere (picking up grass to give to her friends as presents) but the shot left a massive dent in the side of her buggy. We all breathed again when Mrs Whitley Twitter bent it back into shape!
Back on the pitch, it looked like Fryatt had been given the freedom to roam and Marske had no idea how to handle him. Our Hartlepool loanee, Josh Nearney managed the highest pitch voice of the game as he couldn't believe one of the ref's decisions.
The Bay continued to dominate in the second half as they showed great energy all over the pitch. 'Harry' Potter went close with a super lob before Kempster's freekick was turned in by an unfortunate Nathan Mulligan. What a shame!

Those wild Bay fans absorbed in the battle on the pitch.

2-0 up and the Bay were coasting. Then it all turned. Marske suddenly woke up and despite Michael Hammond's star jump in the Whitley goal, the ball was bundled in by Marske's Danny Earle. Back came the Bay and this time it was youngster Logan Powell and Adam Shanks (on as substitutes) who were doing the pressing. Shanks looked pretty mobile, despite Tuesday's injury. Powell it was who squared for Fryatt to have his stinging shot well saved. However with four minutes to go, Hillheads was stunned when Marske equalised through Aaron Ramsbottom. The Bay were calling for a handball but with ref Graham Potter preferring the score draw, the goal stood.
Despite the fightback from Marske, this had been a complete contrast to the previous game and the first 60 minutes a good way to prepare for next week's visit to Bishop Aukland and the FA Vase game against Stockton Town. The last 30, meanwhile, are a good lesson for the Bay!

Unfortunately I can't make it to the Stockton game and there will be no wbayblogger until the Seaham game because of work commitments. #htb

10th September 2016 - Jarrow Roofing (a)

A last minute reprieve from helping with his daughter's fundraiser, to raise money for her trip to the Taekwondo Championships in Hungary, meant that the Boy Mark was able to drive us to Boldon Colliery, home of the Roofers.

The Roofer's ground is a must for all Meccano-loving footie fans with a good selection of metal stands. The sad thing about the ground is that it is becoming a bit down at heal. The small crowds they attract have dropped since their trip to the Semi-finals of the FA Vase in 2005. As a result, the number of roofs on offer has also dropped. What is still as impressive is the resourcefulness that the club have shown to build with whatever they can lay their hands on: they are still the Wombles of non-league football! 

The best club sign in non-league football? Worth the admission price on its own!

 There were seats that could have been taken from a 70s hair salon along with the best of stadium art: bolted the wall were a number of car hubcaps with the words Jarrow Roofing neatly written on. We discovered three but the big mystery for anyone's next visit is to find out if there is a fourth to make the set complete!

Off to use the facilities with that fantastic sliding door.

On top of all this, there was the great news for Berrywatch fans that the great man was back, helping out on the coaching side but not on the playing side...yet! There certainly were smiles on the lads faces as they worked their way through an intricate passing routine.

As the teams came out for the match, a small female voice drifted towards our ears like the voice of one of those Boots ladies, telling you about the latest offers on smellies when you visit those big, scary stores in Newcastle. There was a big cheer when she tried to say our Greek hero's surname so she gave up and just called him Angelos. It was also good to see the Greek God still playing for the Bay instead of heading off to the wilds of Shildon. He must have been impressed with the song written in his honour:

Don't Leave Ang'los

Our Super Angelos

You really must stay at the Bay

'Cause if you leave Ang'los

Our Super Angelos

We never will learn to spell your name!

To the tune of Achy Breaky Heart by Billy-Ray Cyrus. 

One anonymous individual did come up with an alternative, and extremely sinister final line:

Or we will never say your name again!

My lips are sealed!

 It was also great to welcome Hartlepool's Joshua Nearney on a month's loan and as the game started he certainly looked confident and fitted in well into the back five line-up. 

The Bay started well but Jarrow defended well and the lads had to work hard to create chances. However in the 27th minute, McDonald swung in a corner for Shanks to sweep in from 10 yards out.

We all expected to see the Bay then storm forward to score a hatful but with ex-Bay stopper , Andy Jennison in particularly expressive, vocal form they were kept out. In fact it was a complete shock when Jarrow equalised just before half time; Purewal rocketing the ball home. Refreshments were definitely needed at half time: and Jan's Refreshment was drawing us in.

Tommy's Tea Emporium needs a sign too! 

Jarrow's cafe culture: very swish!

There was a bigger shock waiting for us, apart from Berry's change of shorts then track suit bottoms. Don't ask how I noticed I just did and yes I do love my wife very much so you can stop there. Jarrow were ahead with an unstoppable shot from Hedley that looked set to rip the net out. Wilko time was needed!

It wasn't the big defender who came to our rescue but Jake Fowler. When the Kempstervator caught out a Roofing defender, the subsequent cross bounced down off a hand and a penalty was awarded at the third attempt. The quiet but effective midfield dynamo that is Jake Fowler slammed the spotkick home in the 62nd minute. 

The Jarrow defence were certainly not following Jennison's advice as he constantly shouted for them to "Stay switched on every minute!". His other piece of advice was to advise his defenders that they needed to "Mark up, by the way!" 

The Rest of the match passed without further score. However there was a chance for a the Professor but he just couldn't get enough power on his header and a relieved Jennison collected easily. A 2-2 draw perhaps was a fair result as it hadn't been a vintage Bay performance. As always it had been a pleasure visiting Jarrow. I just hope they manage to keep Wombling away and stay up for another visit next year.

What can you build with this little lot?
Ian has an idea....

PS Chow was playing for Jarrow but was well marshalled!

6th September 2016 - Sunderland RCA (h)

Were the wheels coming off the Bay Chandlerwagon? The lads had found South Shields a tough nut to crack but then are they a team designed for this level? There isn't any argument on that one.
Tonight's match was the fifth match in a row that we were up against a team from the top four of the league and so far there had been only one defeat. We were also the only team in the league to have played Sooth Shields home and away already: most people's prediction for Champions and the latest incarnation of Spendymoor. The rest of the season will obviously be a breeze.
 Yet again we were treated to a warm Autumn evening and there were short sleeves and shorts with extra pockets on the legs all around the ground. There was also a glorious sunset that I was cautioned for admiring and not concentrating on the match.
Unfortunately, the Bay were made to pay for my lack of concentration after ten minutes when Steven Callen lashed the ball in, via a post, to give RCA the lead. The visitors' good run of form that had taken them joint top of the table was continuing.
After that I redoubled my efforts to focus and was rewarded when Fowler crossed into the box for the Kempstervator to flick into the far corner of the net.

Our delight was short-lived: first Shanks was brought down as he bore down on goal before the subsequent clearance ended up in the home net, courtesy of RCA's  Jonathan Davis.
Into the second half and the most satisfying aspect of a frustrating period of play was our good friend Keith's purchase of a fine Wembley 2010 sunhat. Although the sun had left us, it was still an excellent purchase and made me wish I'd brought mine along. He was also told that when the hats were ordered, at the time of our great run in the Vase, that only child-sized hats were ordered by mistake. However these fine hats, as worn by middle-aged men give the impression of the pork pie hats worn by fans of Madness et al during the 80s. Therefore they should be treated as an essential addition to any respectable Bay fan's wardrobe.
Away from the fashion parade, Neal Bussey, in the visiting goal, was walking through treacle to slow the game down. As a result, whenever he ambled over to collect the ball for a goal-kick he was subjected to a barrage of abuse from the faithful. Yet the ref did nothing. Chandler was doing his nut.
Two substitutions changed the course of the game. First it was Andy Robertson, on for Kyle Fryatt, followed by Professor Wilkinson on for Steve Gibson.
First, a long ball found, Shanksy whose chest met a Sunderland boot and a penalty duly awarded while Sunderland's Steven Stewart was given the red card. The home fans were pleased to see Mr Treacle booked as he moved like lightning to argue with the ref: the fastest he had run all match.

Callum Patton stole the penalty from the expectant Shanks (no mean feat) to calmly slot home with four minutes left. Could the Bay get the winner? Shanks fantastically came close when he lofted the ball over Mr Treacle-Bussey only to see it cleared off the line but it was all set up for one man. It was Wilko time! The big intellectual seized on a loose ball in the box to slot home and give the Bay their first victory in five games.