Midweek and a trip to Mariners Park to see the latest instalment of the ‘Super Kev’ revolution, Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips having recently been installed as manager at this ambitious 7th tier club. Last time I was at Shields, a few weeks prior, they slipped up. Defeat to bottom half Hyde United and the opening of the new stand tainted with the exits blocking the view of the pitch. I’d imagined it’d be sorted with a bit of Perspex. No, instead it’s a thick metal grill on each staircase exit, almost as bad as the original. I’ll not be employing these stand designers anytime soon...
Having said that, it’s a magnificent view from the new stand – just don’t tell those who chose to stand, as average crowds of 2,000 are twice the stand’s capacity. Tonight, a top of the table clash (actually, 2nd v 3rd, though the winners go top) with Matlock Town has an attendance of 2,639, helped in part by a decent number from Derbyshire. Indeed, it’s over 500 more than Colchester United get tonight for a game 3 divisions higher. This is a club on the up…if only they can get the promotion the owner’s investment craves.
I’ve not long to wait for a goal, either. I’ve just taken a position at the front of the factory end, when a flick on is buried into the far corner by Jonathan Hooper. Surely something straight from the Niall Quinn / Kevin Phillips repertoire. Shows how long it’d taken me to get parked in the industrial estate too – it was 9 minutes in. A minute of this was stood in the queue though, marvelling at the gullibility of the local yoof. ‘£3, plus 20 quid for the bike.’ ’20 quid…for the bike…’ said the youngster, mouth agog. ‘No, just three quid, you can put yer bike over there.’ Well, it amused me, as well as the oldsters collecting the money.
Minutes later it was 2-0, as a quick 1-2 sees Sam Hodgson through for two nil. Shields are looking slick, fast and far too good for a limited Matlock side whose only tactic appears to be to hoof the ball long. Howthehell are they up amongst the leaders? I have 3 minutes to muse on this before they pull one back, out of nothing. Ah, that’s how.
Half-time comes and I land in the clubhouse for a beer. Quite the selection too, with most bases covered, from Guinness, to Fosters, from Strongbow Dark, to Laganitas. I choose the latter and head out to the new stand. I demand a superior view for my second half. This I do, but it’s relatively low key, as a header from a corner after 62 minutes completes a comfortable win, 3-1. Shields go marching on under ‘Super Kev’ and, after an inconsistent season, find themselves top. Will it last? Only the champions go up by right and the owner demands nothing less than promotion.
The Damage:
£10 ent
£2 programme
£4.10 Laganitas Daytime session IPA
= £16.10
The Tunes:
Wise Up Suckers! (Pop Will Eat Itself)
Radio Newcastle (commentary on Sunderland’s latest debacle at home to Burton Albion, an injury time equaliser after the game is held up for an hour due to a medical emergency in the crowd)
No comments:
Post a Comment