31st July 2010
Raydale Park
A weekend of football away from home saw us creep across the border to Raydale Park in Gretna. A nice little ground and despite vantage points only on three sides, it felt a homely ground.
Playing in sunny but breezy conditions, Whitley took the lead in the first half only for the home side to level matters before the break. The hosts played an attractive passing game and often threatened going forward. Playing the ball on the ground to feet and using their width, Bay were left chasing the ball at times. Whitley did play well and on nine minutes should have taken the lead through Lee Kerr however a great double save saw his penalty and rebound kept out by Grant in the Gretna goal.
The opener wasn’t far off and after 21 minutes from the head of Phil Bell who headed bravely past the advancing keeper following what I imagine was great approach play. I say ‘imagine’ because we were queuing for pies & bovril at the time… Before the break Gretna pushed forward and rare mistake in the Bay goal provided fortune for the home side. A cross into the box was misjudged by Bay ‘keeper Tom Kindley and Jardine was on hand to bundle in the resultant loose ball to notch the leveller.
Overall a very enjoyable game in which both sides had chances to snatch a winner but a draw was probably fair. Before and after the game we enjoyed the warm hospitality and the cold beer of the Gretna social club situated across the car park from the ground. Post-match highlight was definitely the presence of the FA Vase which Whitley Bay had brought with them. Plonked only metres away on a bar table, we wasted not this opportunity to have some pictures taken with the trophy and over more beers we chatted with Bob, one of the club officials who regaled us with tales of his playing days and passed his own delightfully insightful comments on the state of the modern game.
As we left to make our train it was with sadness as we thoroughly enjoyed the true community feel of the club and enjoyed every minute of our stay. Good luck for the future to everyone at Gretna FC 2008.
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| NewcastleDavey with the FA Vase |
NB. This trip wouldn’t have been possible (or as enjoyable) without @markjam82 and @huddohudson - follow them on Twitter and check out the latter’s excellent football blog (and much more thorough account of this trip) by visiting http://ganninaway.blogspot.com/
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