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)

Brandon United P-P Blyth Town, Saturday 27th November 2021

Brandon United P-P Blyth Town, Northern League Division 2, ‘The Sawmills Kitchen The Welfare Ground’ (sic)

What are the odds? The game I was originally going to go to in the Northern League (Carlisle City v Bedlington Terriers) was the only one actually played, while all other fifteen matches were postponed. However, I’d not gone to Carlisle. With Storm Arwen wreaking havoc in the north-east, there was no way I was risking a trip over the North Pennine tops to Carlisle – I might not get back. But with games off all over the place, it looked like Brandon had survived. OK, I was using up one of my closer trips in my effort to see all 41* Northern League venues this season (38 different ones, including shared venues), but still.

*It’s taken me till now to realise there’s 41 sides; I looked at a list of 40 teams, noticed newcomers Boldon CA weren’t on there and spent an age wondering which side was on there who shouldn’t be.

So I pootled to Brandon, 18 minutes away, having religiously checked their Twitter feed to ensure the game was on. And it was – till I turned left into the lane the ground is on. 3 people were walking the other way. No-one ever walks this way. I turned into the car park and 2 more fellas were ambling toward me. ‘Match off?’ ‘Yup. But the pitch is fine.’ A snow blizzard had begun. I nipped into the ground to see one of the teams walking across the pitch with their kit bags slung over their shoulders. Oh well, I can bring forward the supermarket shop…

I was driving to Bishop Auckland, cheap petrol (no idea why petrol is cheaper in Bishop, but it is) and I found myself driving through Willington. ‘Ah! Durham City!’ Groundsharing, the hapless Durham City were at home to Chester-le-Street. I don’t remember that being called off. It was. Floodlights off, turnstiles shut, I travelled on for the hattrick. Yes, in my mini-tour of Northern League football grounds, I filled up the car at Sainsburys – next to Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Ground. Postponed (but at least I knew that already). As was nearby National League North side Spennymoor – postponed apparently cos Chorley’s coach company ‘couldn’t guarantee their safety’!

Carlisle City? 65 people braved whatever weather there was there to see a one goal away win. Next time.

The Damage:
Mild irritation.

The Tunes:
BBC5live