Blyth Town 3-0 Washington, Wednesday 13th April 2022

Blyth Town 3-0 Washington, Northern League Division 2, South Newsham Playing Fields, att. 110.

With time running out on the season, I find myself making 2 long journeys in 2 days. Last night Carlisle, over an hour and a half away from home (but a pleasant drive over the Pennines) and tonight it’s Blyth, the best part of 50 minutes, roads willing. Blyth Town’s ground is also on the road into Blyth, so no need to scoot around town looking for it, though if I’d set off earlier, I’d planned on visiting comedian Mark Thomas’s favourite Wetherspoons, in a former art deco cinema in the town centre.

As it was, my highlights were limited to ticking off another Northern League ground and finding it had a grass pitch. For some reason, I presumed NL newcomers Blyth Town played on a synthetic surface. Maybe it was the out of town nature of it all? Being new to the 10th tier echelons, there wasn’t a lot of character to it, really. A modern seated stand off the back of a lorry, another similar but without seats, otherwise it’s just a football field on the edge of modern housing with a clubhouse attached. Though give it some dues, the bar was smartly attired and had Sky on.

Getting there early(ish) I had time to consume a burger…one of those dreadful things you used to get served up in the 70s, boiled rather than fried. Echoes of Bonfire Night, 1979, a recess opened in the back of my mind. I bought a ticket for the half-time draw, a stunning £50 1st prize. I never did hear the draw. Maybe that’s why the prize was so high – it never gets won.

Blyth, midtable, easily overcame 3rd off bottom Washington, who conceded early in comedy circumstances, as a miscommunication between centre half and keeper left an open goal. Usual story. Thereafter, they were never in the race, a comfortable 3-0 home win while I chuntered on for most of the game with an old timer who used to watch Newcastle, but never goes anymore. Usual story.

The Damage:
£5 ent
£2.50 burger
£1 half time draw (prize: £50)
= £8.50

The Tunes:
Prioritise Pleasure (Self Esteem)
BBC 5Live (Champions League Quarter Final 2nd leg, Athletico Madrid 0-0 Man City; agg 0-1)