Monday, 20 September 2010
Wind, rain and some red aeroplanes
For the last few years, the climax of the Great North Run in South Shields has been celebrated and marked by a spectacular aerobatic display from the Red Arrows. Sadly this year, poor visibility, low cloud and rain put paid to anything more than a handful of fly-bys which was a shame for the expectant crowds gathered around the mouth of the Tyne. Yesterday's inclement weather undoubtedly caused safety concerns and given it's a free spectacle few can really complain. Hopefully next year will bring some better weather and we'll see them at their best!
Thursday, 16 September 2010
"Get Carter" car park destruction continues
Work bringing down the Trinity Square car park continues unabated and according to the site foreman, there's 25% of it left and two weeks work remaining to remove the structure. Several weeks of ground work will follow but the Gateshead skyline will be so much different once this grand old car park is no more.
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
North Shields 5 Crook Town 2
Northern League Cup - 1st round
14th September 2010
Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields
Attendance: 124
As if to cleanse my soul and erase the memory of Blackpool's victory at St James' Park, I made the short journey along the Tynemouth Road to take in this Northern League cup clash between North Shields and Crook Town. Visiting Ralph Gardner Park for the first time, I was optimistic. A new ground to visit, North Shields in goal scoring form and a pleasant evening weather-wise, the scene was set for an enjoyable evening.
A far cry from the relative grandeur of Appleby Park, Shields' former home, Ralph Gardner Park is a ground at the beginning of its story. Fairly typical of Northern League grounds, seating is provided along one touchline (The Beacon Centre Stand) whilst opposite are the two team dugouts. Behind the dugouts around ten Crook Town supporters begin to gather in the South Stand which provides standing accommodation only.
The teams enter from the building in the corner behind the Silkey's Lane goal and from the kick off both sides work hard to create chances to score. In a frenetic first half, it's North Shields who put their stamp on the game with an effort bundled home in the 7th minute. As the Shields players reel away, the Crook keeper lays motionless for several minutes with visiting players and staff remonstrating with the officials. The sole fan behind the goal offers his point of view and is told to be quiet by the referee. "You should be embarrassed, ref - he can hardly breathe man", barks a Crook Town centre half as the referee continues to wave away the angry protests. I join the sole Shields supporter behind the goal to learn that the keeper just fell awkwardly. Crook quickly regroup and mid-way through the first half are back on terms. It isn't long however before their hosts regain their lead through an incredible effort from the halfway line. Taking advantage of the visiting keeper's injuries, the speculative, looped effort drops out of the black night sky beyond the keeper's reach and just under the bar. Cue bedlam amongst the Ultras and broad smiles on the pitch. 2-1 Shields.
As half time approaches and as most of the crowd drifts towards the café, the draw of a hot cup of Bovril to combat the cold is too much to resist. During half time a brief torrential rain shower accompanies the bracing northerly winds to create, if nothing else, a reason for grown men to tut, smile and roll their eyes at one another. I cower under the Beacon Centre Stand until the 2nd half begins which, thankfully, is when the monsoon subsides.
Crook replace their injured goalkeeper (broken rib) and Shields immediately make it 3-1. The tackles begin to fly and tempers flare, the referee has his work cut out to restore order. A Crook trainer is dismissed from the dugout as the handful of visiting fans howl their disagreement. "It's gonna get nasty, this", growls a Crook fan as he passes behind me. Later, a rash challenge on Shields' number 8 leaves him injured on the touchline and it takes a full five minutes for Shields' physio to provide treatment. Life in the Northern League can be cruel. On the pitch, Crook pull one back and for a brief moment the visitors have their tails up but it's short lived. Shields score a fourth before completing their evening's work with a sublime chip over the substitute keeper on 90 minutes.
14th September 2010
Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields
Attendance: 124
 |
| Crook Town kick off. Again. |
A far cry from the relative grandeur of Appleby Park, Shields' former home, Ralph Gardner Park is a ground at the beginning of its story. Fairly typical of Northern League grounds, seating is provided along one touchline (The Beacon Centre Stand) whilst opposite are the two team dugouts. Behind the dugouts around ten Crook Town supporters begin to gather in the South Stand which provides standing accommodation only.
 |
| Crook keeper on his feet |
As half time approaches and as most of the crowd drifts towards the café, the draw of a hot cup of Bovril to combat the cold is too much to resist. During half time a brief torrential rain shower accompanies the bracing northerly winds to create, if nothing else, a reason for grown men to tut, smile and roll their eyes at one another. I cower under the Beacon Centre Stand until the 2nd half begins which, thankfully, is when the monsoon subsides.
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.
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