- #northShieldsfc 5-2 crook town great finish to restore shields' supremacy & progression through in to round 2#match9:33 PM Sep 14th via Echofon
#northShieldsfc 4 - Crook Town 2 :- visitors angry with some refereeing decisions it would appear. #match9:09 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
Game on #northShieldsfc 3 Crook Town (fielding an outfield player in goal) 2. Crook coach sent off for some reason#match9:05 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
By the way, I neglected to mention that Crook's second was disallowed. That's how the score magically changed from 2-2 to 3-1 #match8:52 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
The magic of the Northern League cup & straight from kick off#northShieldsfc go 3-1 up. Crook keeper replaced (broken rib) #match8:49 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
Taking shelter from the half time monsoon in the Beacon Centre stand & waiting for the crook players to emerge for the 2nd half #match8:43 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
Highlights of 1st half - shields' 2nd looped in from half way & "crook keeper" controversy. Shields ultras have found their voice #match8:19 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
Now #northShieldsfc 2 crook 2 - eventful first half. Shields led twice only to be pegged back. Crook keeper coughing guts up before #match8:11 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
I've joined the sole supporter behind the goal who turns out to be the commercial manager. #northShieldsfc he says keeper fell awkwardly8:02 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
Crook defenders are fuming. The only fan behind that goal lends his version of events. Keeper is shaken but he'll live#northShieldsfc7:40 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
Controversy on 7 mins as #northShieldsfc take the lead at the expense of the visitors' keeper who is on the ground motionless. #match7:39 PM Sep 14th via Echofon from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
v. crook town - northern league cup 1st round (@ Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields FC) http://4sq.com/dBpGVz7:26 PM Sep 14th via foursquare from North Tyneside, North Tyneside
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Whitley Bay 0 Spennymoor Town 0
Northern League Division 1
7th September 2010
Hillheads Park, Whitley Bay
Attendance: 621
In spite of/because of (take your pick) the live television coverage of Switzerland vs. England, there was a keen attendance at Hillheads for this thoroughly entertaining clash between Whitley Bay and top of the table Spennymoor. Wearing their change colours of deep red, the visitors looked sharp, fast on the break and they passed well but Whitley Bay more than matched them in the first half on an impressive surface. Both sides had good chances to wrap up the points but some wayward Bay shooting and some incredible goalkeeping from Kyle Hayes in the Whitley Bay goal kept the score-sheet clear.
Avoiding a night in with Clive Tyldesley was a mere bonus, I hadn’t seen a Whitley Bay home game for a while and I fancied an evening of fresh air, rather than an evening of cliché filled hot air. As with most non-league grounds, choosing a vantage point is usually a case of ‘take your pick’. I always had a fascination with Darlington’s Feethams ground where, unusually for a league ground, home fans would change ends to stand behind the goal Darlington were attacking in that half. Hillheads is no different and the “Bell End Choir” were in fine voice as they gathered behind the visitors’ keeper’s goal, the 50 or so fans who had travelled up from County Durham at the opposite end also contributing well to a good atmosphere. With a back catalogue of tunes that would make the Rolling Stones proud, the singing was relentless, humourous and often at the expense of the visitors - in particular, Spennymoor defender Leon Ryan who had switched from Hillheads in the summer.
As the rain started to fall and with the game on a knife edge, one felt a single goal was going to come. Indeed the chap I was chatting to in the second half, who looked uncannily like Theo Paphitis, felt compelled to remark, "It could go either way. One goal will do it and either side could score it." I’m surprised he didn’t get a call up to summarise at half time during the England coverage.
The last 10 minutes was end to end with both goalkeepers being asked questions but as the final whistle approached, it was evident that a tiring home side were happy with a point. The visitors will probably consider this result as 2 points dropped and they can consider themselves unlucky given the run of the game they enjoyed in the 2nd half. Spennymoor remain joint top of the table with Norton & Stockton Ancients whilst Whitley Bay, just 5 points from the top, are sitting in 8th position.
7th September 2010
Hillheads Park, Whitley Bay
Attendance: 621
Avoiding a night in with Clive Tyldesley was a mere bonus, I hadn’t seen a Whitley Bay home game for a while and I fancied an evening of fresh air, rather than an evening of cliché filled hot air. As with most non-league grounds, choosing a vantage point is usually a case of ‘take your pick’. I always had a fascination with Darlington’s Feethams ground where, unusually for a league ground, home fans would change ends to stand behind the goal Darlington were attacking in that half. Hillheads is no different and the “Bell End Choir” were in fine voice as they gathered behind the visitors’ keeper’s goal, the 50 or so fans who had travelled up from County Durham at the opposite end also contributing well to a good atmosphere. With a back catalogue of tunes that would make the Rolling Stones proud, the singing was relentless, humourous and often at the expense of the visitors - in particular, Spennymoor defender Leon Ryan who had switched from Hillheads in the summer.
The last 10 minutes was end to end with both goalkeepers being asked questions but as the final whistle approached, it was evident that a tiring home side were happy with a point. The visitors will probably consider this result as 2 points dropped and they can consider themselves unlucky given the run of the game they enjoyed in the 2nd half. Spennymoor remain joint top of the table with Norton & Stockton Ancients whilst Whitley Bay, just 5 points from the top, are sitting in 8th position.
Birtley Town 2 Northallerton Town 0
Northern League Division 2
4th September 2010
Birtley Sports Complex, Birtley
Attendance: around 60
With the Premiership taking a personal day and to celebrate national Non-League Day our attentions were drawn to the Birtley Sports Complex and Birtley Town FC. The visitors were Northallerton Town and the sun was shining as the teams took to the pitch from the dressing room block in the corner of the ground. With the spotlight partly on lack of Premiership football, it’s perhaps appropriate to mention that Birtley Town are the antithesis of Premiership life. The ground is modest with few home comforts – the club finished bottom of the league last season, they’re strapped for cash and operating from a council owned pitch half way along the Durham Road. In addition, the lack of perimeter security means the ground is vulnerable to vandalism, but it’s not all doom and gloom. The two ends are uncovered and two small stands – one with seating – punctuate the touchline behind the dug outs. Two sides of the ground are lined with trees with the other touchline backing on to a large playing field so although I can imagine it being somewhat rain & windswept in the winter months, it’s surprisingly cosy all the same.
After six consecutive away games to begin the season, Birtley’s home campaign was underway. The game began at a fast pace with the home side eager to impress and although both sides battled the midfield well few clear-cut chances were created in the first half. It was Birtley who took the lead to the delight of fans and players alike. In a tight first half, our hosts scrambled home the resultant loose ball after a sublime free kick was saved on to the post. Both sides gave a good account of themselves throughout this entertaining fixture – the only disappointment of the day really was the referee. He failed to allow the game to flow and made a rod for his own back early on by booking players for minor offences, players of both sides howling their derision in unison as the cards and poor decisions continued.
The handful of Northallerton fans who had made the journey encouraged their side but the game was effectively over when Birtley weathered some Northallerton pressure and doubled their lead in the second half. A Birtley substitution paid immediate dividends as incoming player latched on to a deflected through-ball to slot confidently home.
Overall it was a very enjoyable game and with a £2 entrance fee, few could complain. Based on this performance, Birtley Town can look forward to some degree of success this season.
4th September 2010
Birtley Sports Complex, Birtley
Attendance: around 60
After six consecutive away games to begin the season, Birtley’s home campaign was underway. The game began at a fast pace with the home side eager to impress and although both sides battled the midfield well few clear-cut chances were created in the first half. It was Birtley who took the lead to the delight of fans and players alike. In a tight first half, our hosts scrambled home the resultant loose ball after a sublime free kick was saved on to the post. Both sides gave a good account of themselves throughout this entertaining fixture – the only disappointment of the day really was the referee. He failed to allow the game to flow and made a rod for his own back early on by booking players for minor offences, players of both sides howling their derision in unison as the cards and poor decisions continued.
The handful of Northallerton fans who had made the journey encouraged their side but the game was effectively over when Birtley weathered some Northallerton pressure and doubled their lead in the second half. A Birtley substitution paid immediate dividends as incoming player latched on to a deflected through-ball to slot confidently home.Overall it was a very enjoyable game and with a £2 entrance fee, few could complain. Based on this performance, Birtley Town can look forward to some degree of success this season.
Big car park, but out of shape...
Date: 7th September 2010.
Location: Trinity Square car park, Gateshead.
Six and a half weeks into demolition and the Trinity Square car park in Gateshead is looking decidedly worse for wear. The east stairwell is all but gone and the whole north side is ragged and forlorn however the west stairwell remains, seemingly untouched thus far.
Location: Trinity Square car park, Gateshead.
Six and a half weeks into demolition and the Trinity Square car park in Gateshead is looking decidedly worse for wear. The east stairwell is all but gone and the whole north side is ragged and forlorn however the west stairwell remains, seemingly untouched thus far.
It seems early (and unsubstantiated) reports of a two month completion are optimistic. It'll be at least another six weeks at least before they're finished.
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
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