Darlington 2-1 Boston United, Saturday 26th March 2022

Darlington 2-1 Boston United, National League North, Blackwell Meadows, att. 1,400 and odd.

Friends, or personal glory? With fixtures running out in the Northern League, if I am to see every side at home this season, I need to go to Washington today. But I’ve already been to Washington’s ground this season (the Ford Quarry Hub) to see fellow groundsharer’s Sunderland West End. Can I move the goalposts? Visit every GROUND in the Northern League instead? Cos an old mate I know from London is up in the north-east to see his hometown team – Darlington. My traditional ‘2nd team’. To hell with it – I need to be a bit more sociable and see my mate. Can I also add that the Ford Quarry Hub is the least characterful ground in the Northern League too? The kind of place any old bod can (and does) trock up for a game of 5aside on a plastic pitch?

I’d made my decision, so it came as a Brucie Bonus (how long will that cultural reference last?) when Kev messaged me to say I had a free ticket. Woo hoo! I did wonder whether to feel guilty, Darlo needing the money and all, but at 14 quid for a match ticket, they’re a good 40% more expensive than Spennymoor Town, in the same league and 15 miles away. Plus I’d given them £28 this season already (plus programmes)….which is more than the vast majority of County Durham. Conscious assuaged.

I presumed one of Kev’s mates couldn’t make it, but it turns out there was an offer on, buy one get one free (which even extended to season ticket holders). Maybe it was the same one offered via the National Lottery, offering a free ticket as part of another ‘non-league day’. Whatever, much appreciated…though hardly well advertised. 1400 attended today. Maybe it was well advertised and Darlington v Boston United just didn’t appeal. I know, I can’t understand that attitude either.

Boston brought a few too. Kev and I stood on the grass bank behind the goal and there was plenty of amber and black. I didn’t realise how far the bank was from the front. I referred to this area as the away end, but I was soon put right – most games aren’t segregated. Only the ones I’ve been to – York City and Spennymoor. There was more assuaging of my conscience, as I got the pints in pre-match. The bar queue continues to be ridiculous and the bar poorly-manned. Kev blames the landlord, the rugby club. You can’t even take your pints and drink them in view of the pitch. At least there’s a beer garden (in the shade). As for why too much of the stadium lacks any terracing or stands…apparently there’s a Northumbrian Water pipe running through the ground. That’s a new one on me.

Darlington won 2-1, and we were fortunate enough to have both Darlo goals at our end, 1st half. A low corner came in and former Boro and Bolton centre half Wheater (returning to Darlo via an England call-up and 2 years injured) reacted to turn it home. The game was effectively done and dusted by half-time as Lambert struck from 20 yards through a crowd of players for two-nil.

Half-time, and the chance to follow a Feethams tradition and swap ends. Besides, it was sunny in the Tin Shed, as the sun blazed into our eyes. Fine, all we missed was whether it was a Boston penalty or not. It looked a foul, but there was still the delay as the ref decided if it was inside the box or not; it was, and an interesting penalty, as the taker must have dummied the keeper a hattrick of times before unconvincingly putting it down the middle. There was half an hour left, but I thought Darlo saw it out comfortably. But that’s cos I’m not so emotionally involved as I once was. Everyone else looked petrified.

The Damage:
free ent
£2.50 programme
c.£8 2 pints
= £10.50

The Tunes:
Hunky Dory (David Bowie)

Boldon Community Association 1-3 Easington Colliery, Wednesday 16th March 2022

Boldon CA 1-3 Easington Colliery, Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup, Boldon Colliery Welfare Ground, att. 80

Time is starting to run out on the season, at least if I am to fulfil my stated aim of seeing a game at every Northern League ground during 2021-22. With seven grounds to go, and a season ticket at Barnsley, this makes a trip to Boldon tonight non-negotiable – the only other home game I can make clashes with Ryhope CA’s only home game I can make. Having toyed with the idea of leaving one of those at half-time and driving the 10 miles or so to the other, I decide to brave the rain.

This evening it is the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup, a competition for those in the second division. 8th placed Boldon play host to 2nd in the league Easington, a side I’ve seen twice over the last year and been impressed both times. Sure enough, their fast, slick, play leads to a break and a shot is lashed into the roof of the net from 20 yards. Hang on though – it’s Boldon. A look at the league table suggest Boldon are no pushovers either, 17 wins and 9 defeats from 33 games.

I arrived as the teams were about to take the field, the clubhouse being behind the goal and towards the corner flag. Large lettering above proudly announces them to be ‘The Villa’, homage to their original founding name, Boldon Villa, in 1892. Afterwards, they were Boldon Colliery, though latterly, they are Boldon Community Welfare; one of several former colliery teams to have replaced ‘Colliery’ with ‘Community’ thereby better reflecting their post-industrial future. Shame that, but at least they still play at the ‘Boldon Colliery Welfare Ground’. Never bury your past.

I was able to muse on more history as I stood for a time on the Sam Bartram Terrace. Yes, I knew he was a legendary Charlton goalkeeper, but did I know he played for Boldon? No, but there was a fantastic plaque to the great man, paid for by the Charlton Athletic museum. Underneath a low roof, half a dozen chairs were bolted onto a plank of wood on top of a couple of breezeblocks. It’s what he would have wanted.

From the turnstiles, turn right and it’s the refreshment kiosk and Sam Bartram Terrace. The kiosk was wonderfully supplied too, given the attendance, including pies and all sorts. Beyond that lay the usual open touchline. I peeked through the metal fence to see what lay in the inky blackness beyond – why, it was the Boldon CA cricket pitch. The difference between here and Whickham’s ground being at least here there is a permanent division, not simply a rope along the touchline.

Behind both goals hung giant netting not seen this side of the Bundesliga. Probably wise at the clubhouse end, as houses overlook the pitch. On the far side was a second stand, running half the length of the pitch at the clubhouse end. Another low roof, but a step at the back. Bizarrely though, along the front were benches tight to the fence. Sit here and you are right on top of the action. Despite the constant drizzle though, I found it slightly claustrophobic. I yearned for the rain.

In an even opening half, Boldon held on till half-time. I continued my circumnavigation of the ground and stood on the halfway line opposite the dugouts. The drizzle never stopped, but I had to admire the players, who, although looking cold when coming back out, gave it their all. The pitch was zippy, and so were Easington at the resumption. Adamson cut inside a defender from the left and equalised low to the keeper’s right. I began to have negative thoughts. I could do without a penalty shootout (especially as Washington and Bedlington Terriers last week broke the world record, having a penalty shootout lasting 56 kicks, 16 more than the attendance). The Boldon defence duly obliged, pressing up to the halfway line against faster opponents and being outpaced with a throughball. There were 73 minutes on the clock, but the game was up 10 minutes later as a defender miscontrolled and tugged the forward back. Penalty, sending off and the odd sight of the offender shaking hands with the away bench on the way off. The Northern League – home of the gentleman.

The Damage:
£5 ent
= £5

The Tunes:
Ministry of Sound House Anthems (Various); only 50p from a charity shop last week!

BFC 2-0 Bristol City, Tuesday 15th March 2022

‘WE ARE STAYING UP, WE ARE STAYING UP!’

WHAT IS HAPPENING? From being dead and buried a month ago, we’ve now given ourselves a CHANCE. Correction, from being dead and buried a month ago, loanees Quina and Bassi have given us a CHANCE! Tonite, both have starring roles in the capitulation of a disinterested City side with nought to play for, with the goals coming from Bassi corners and the attacks coming from Quina’s boots. Can a Watford reserve player be my favourite Red?

I wasn’t with my usual matchday companion today, so fancied a change. With the current ownership, who knows when the historic Main (West) Stand will be closed or pulled down, so I got to Oakwell early enough to swap my East Stand ticket for a pew opposite. I love the West Stand. The darkness, the low roof, the aging wood, the pillars. The latter, perfect in seasons where we’re not doing so well, turn out to be a right pain in the derriere when you DO actually want to see the game. Where did that defender appear from? How did that player beat that opponent? Surely that bloke’s offside? Hang on, who’s that over there? Yes, I enjoyed the novelty, but I wouldn’t want to do it over a season. Nevermind that in the first half, as I sat on the back row, you can’t see the ball if it’s far enough in the air. God knows what a season under Big Val would have looked like from here.

Any pre-match nerves were quickly dispelled. 10 minutes in and Shirley whips in a corner at the away end, panic ensues and Morris prods it home from 3 yards. Having seen it on replay, you see Helik running in at the front post causing the defender(s) to miss it, the ball bounces, Wolfe heads goalwards and Morris is there. A little over 10 minutes later and it’s two. This time the corner works ‘properly’ as Helik gets across his man to flick it home. Reward for the City fans who had the referee insist on Shirley taking it from the correct place, forcing him to move it 2 inches back. (They were right, by the way.) Incredibly, it’s Helik’s first goal of the season, having notched half a dozen last year. There’s a raft of reasons for this, but I’d say the main 2 have been the lack of a quality ball in, and deserting last’s season’s successful tactic of crowding the keeper. Only BFC would give up a successful strategy.

And there it was, 2-0, game over. I’m not sure we really came close again, though Quina skinned the fullback enough times for someone (anyone) to show for him, but I mustn’t grumble. Even Asbaghi’s usual ‘sending on the subs to protect what we’ve got’ failed to rouse City; not that we weren’t worried…Cole on for Morris and Kitching for Styles, with 20 left to play. Indeed, we had Kitching to thank for keeping them goalless, as he headed one off the line in injury time. Whisper it, but we may not come bottom. (I’m not going to get carried away with thoughts of staying up…yet.)

Onwards and upwards!

*** Quina. Took the game to City. He gets the ball, they retreat…and retreat…he beats one man and we’re in their box.
** Morris. The effort, the strength, the tenacity…the fact he can actually keep hold of a ball under pressure. And scored.
* Wolfe. I’m liking him more and more. As well as setting up the opener, my favourite bit was 1st half, when he picked the ball up on the edge of our box, and carried it (at pace!) to the halfway line.

Official MOTM: Quina

Londontykes’ MOTM: TBA

Despatches:
Another good game from Gomes. The Gomes-Wolfe defensive axis in the 4-2-3-1 is what allows Quina and Bassi to play. Styles had a funny game. Constantly outmuscled, but did drive at the opposition. Often sent tumbling at speed but never gets the free kicks in the way that, say, Garther Bale used to for less. Brittain looked back on his game while Helik and Mads were barely troubled, Collins in goal even less so. Vita was also back to being a left wing back after his stint on the right wing. How’s he ever gonna develop if we mess him about like that?

In City’s ranks were former Reds Matty James and Joe Williams. Remember Joe Williams? Midfielder, on loan from Everton. I maintain he is one of the nest players I have EVER seen for the Reds out of possession. He couldn’t half win a ball, but would then give it straight back to the opposition, often on the edge of our own box. Anyway, he came on as sub with 5 mins of the 1st half left and looked like Glenn Hoddle, spraying passes all over the pitch and now losing it. I never noticed him 2nd half, but maybe that’s cos he went off after 55 minutes!

Back to the Main Stand, and I can see why Farnham likes it here. I’m half a dozen seats from Cauley Woodrow, who may or may not be doing something for local radio. I’m even fewer from a couple of other blokes, who say thanks on their way out as I make room for them. Why, it’s Blunts manager (and Reds legend) Paul Heckingbottom, plus one. What will he have made of events, given we play them Satdy? ‘Deal with Quina and everything else will drop into place’? (Does he realise Quina is a different – less effective - player away?) It must have been a night for spotting minor celebs; I also passed former Reds legend 3rd division midfield player Alex Neil (now Sunderland manager) coming out of the toilets at Wetherby services.

Irregulars will be pleased to note the West Stand bogs still retains pride of place, a lick of red paint and a roof notwithstanding, though whothehell places a hand dryer above a wall people urinate on? It was good to hear another fine recent tradition continued too, as there were a couple of boos for the players taking a knee, before crowd applause drowned it out. This Black Lives Matter stuff is all a Marxist conspiracy, you know that, right? Still, it was a surprise to me. I didn’t realise the players still took the knee, given I’m rarely in the ground at this point.

Thinking of my dad, and how we always used to drive home through Leeds, I did same in his memory. I miss passing Tetley’s, the West Yorkshire Playhouse, crossing the River Aire and driving past those lines of terraces north of the city centre. R.I.P. dad.

I smiled all the way home.

Drink du jour: Another expensive flat white in Wetherby service station.

Away: 279. Let’s just say well done to those who came, rather than poke fun at a big city club bringing less than 300 for a second tier fixture.

Minutes on the pitch for Palmer or Benson: 0.

The Damage:
c. £35 petrol
£3 programme= c. £38

The Tunes:
Whirlpool (Chapterhouse)
The Back Room (Editors)
BBC5live – 25 minutes of whining on about Man Utd losing to Athletico Madrid in the Chumps League, followed by 4 minutes round-up of everything else. Bliss!
Blissed Out (Beloved)