el Queso Grande's Groundhopping Tour 2007-8

Another football-less day for el Queso Grande! My car has another fault and finances at the moment don't allow for it's repair. I did have use of a family member's vehicle but not until it was too late to get to a game. I could have walked the mile and a half to Albany Park for the Washington v Seaham Red Star game, but, by the time I discovered I wasn't getting the car at the expected time, it was fast approaching kick-off. Looks like I might not hit my target, now, unless I can arrange some transport.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: Birtley Town 0-3 Marske United

An unforeseen change of plan meant me having to forgo my first visit to Sunderland Ryhope CA in favour of the short trip across to the Birtley Sports Complex. I met up again with fellow Groundhopper Shaun Smith, host of the 100 Football Grounds Club

and I was able to obtain my Members Pin Badge from him. As I am feeling lazy, instead of doing a match report, I will refer you to Shaun's excellent site at http://100groundsclub.blogspot.com/

I had a couple of cups of Bovril at 50p a time and a burger with onions and brown sauce (no mustard!) for £1.60. Naturally, I didn't win the raffle!

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: Hebburn Town 3-1 North Shields

Brrrrr! The North East was in the grip of Jack Frost and matches were being called off from 9.30am, the first being the Vase game at Consett. My choice for the day had been Birtley Town v Team Northumbria, which was postponed at 1.00pm. My choice from the few remaining matches was South Shields v Darlington RA and I was heading that way when I got a call to tell me that had been postponed also, so I quickly diverted to Boldon for the Jarrow Roofing v Bedlington Terriers game. Arriving at 2.00pm, I was soon to see the referee decide that an iced-up goalmouth was too dangerous, so, along to Hebburn I went, along with quite a few other groundhoppers, League Management Committee Members and at least one ANL club manager who had been in a similar situation.

This was the only game played in the ANL and it wasn't all that bad, apart from some woeful defending on the part of the North Shields defence for two of Hebburn's goals. Dean Lee scored for North Shields just before the half hour mark, keeper Gary Rogers got his hands to the shot but could not keep it out. Garry McCartney scored 2 in the first 5 minutes of the second half and Tony Myers rounded it off for Hebburn with 4 minutes left.

Canny pint of John Smith's Smooth for £1.90, didn't try any food as I was temptd by a double whisky to warm the proverbial cockles at half-time! To continue my current run of form, I didn't win the half-time raffle!

The PTS Stadium, Billingham.

FA Carlsberg Vase 3rd. Round Proper: Billingham Synthonia 1-3 Dunston Federation

It's FA Vase day once again! I love these games. I had the choice of 5 fixtures involving ANL sides, but, I have decided on the only one which involves two sides from the ANL. Dunston beat Spennymoor Town in the last round, I saw the first game of the tie, which ended in a 0-0 draw at the Brewery Field. Dunston won the replay 3-1 at Federation Park the following Tuesday. I have been to Synners' ground several times, the last time being the FA Vase semi-final second leg, season 2006-7, in which Synthonia were beaten on penalties by AFC Totton. There were over 2,000 spectators in the stadium that day.

As normal, I got to the ground about an hour before kick-off, sampled a pint of Tetley's Imperial, a tad expensive at £2.20 (shades of Nissan). Bumped into a couple of Fed supporters I know, before meeting up with my new friend from Nonleaguezone.com, Paolo. My camera was acting up; I had put in 2 new batteries which I bought on the way, but they were cheapies and not powerful enough for my camera. Paolo has promised that I can pinch some of the photos he will be getting from the Gazette, so I eagerly await their arrival. It rained throughout the match and my traditional stroll around the pitch during the game achieved a new record time for me! Had an unremarkable steak pie and some tasteless mushy peas for £1.50, washed down with a cup of Oxo for 70p. (Must not have heard of Bovril!).

Synners took the game to Fed from the off and Colin Iley scored in less than 3 minutes, from a very tight angle, while the Fed defence were waiting for the referee to award them a free kick for handball, which never materialised. (Iley's goal meant that I didn't win the Golden Goal prize for first goal scored). Dunston were stung into action and began to dominate the game, eventually pulling a goal back on 41 minutes, a good header by former Horden and Nissan player, Kevin Devine just inside the penalty area following an excellent cross from the right by Ben Cattanach. A minute later, Mark Campbell found himself unmarked in the penalty area and the ball at his feet - 1-2 at half-time.

The second half saw more pressure from The Fed, although Synthonia did manage to look dangerous at times, but their long ball tactics were mopped up by the defensive pair of James Taylor and Michael Laws (my Man of the Match). The game was put out of reach for Synners when Kevin Devine produced a nice solo run from just outside the penalty area to finish well on 65 minutes. Had to laugh at some of the comments from the Fed supporters, especially Mountain Edge, who is always good for a laugh or two.

Good, enjoyable day out, but, I didn't win the raffle! (Again!)

The following photographs are posted courtesy of Mark Fletcher.

Colin Iley (Synners No 10) turns away to celebrate his goal while Andy Clark berates the ref for not awarding a free kick for handball.

Michael Laws in a hands-on situation!

James Taylor heads clear.

Preeny's eyes are everywhere!

Michael Laws beats Michael Cater to the ball.

Kevin Devine celebrates his second goal.

Lee Flanagan shows his control.

More of Mark's excellent photos can be found at http://www.synners.co.uk/pics-synners-dunston-8.12.07.shtml

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: North Shields 0-4 Birtley Town

My first ever visit to Ralph Gardner Park, North Shields. The ground is about as attractive as I had expected it would be. Although the club obviously do their best to keep it up to scratch, it has a run-down look about it. On the north side of the pitch is a small covered stand with 3 rows of benches. The stand is named for the club's sponsor, The Beacon Shopping Centre. To the west of this stand are three tiers of terracing, areas of which are becoming unsafe due to the retaining timbers having moved.

The Beacon Centre Stand.

On the south side are the dug-outs, behind which is a covered standing area with one tier of terracing.

Dug-outs and South standing area.

Behind the goal on the eastern side there is no spectator cover and only the minimum requirement in terms of hard-standing.

Looking toward the eastern end from the dug-outs.

Behind the goal at the western end, are cabins which serve as refreshments kiosk, administration room, hospitality rooms and public conveniences. The changing rooms are outside the ground and are accessed from the western end of the pitch. Sadly, there is no clubhouse, so, no bar, therefore no beer. As it was a cold day with a biting wind, I made regular use of the tea hut, which sold out of Bovril before the second half started! No pies left when I went at half-time, either. Birtley had brought along quite a lot of supporters and they must have been both hungry and thirsty!

Cabins at the western end.

Both sides began well, although Birtley soon began to take the upper hand. Better finishing would have seen Birtley out of sight by half-time, although The Robins' keeper, David Lanning, deserves some credit for the reflex saves he made during one spell of Birtley pressure, as well as two of his team-mates, who made clearances on the goal line when Lanning had been beaten. Birtley took the lead in the 28th minute when Shaun McAvoy crossed from the right, finding Andy Innes who set up John Sherlock with an easy tap-in from close range. 0-1 at half time.

North Shields' left-winger, Tony Errington, takes a trip as Birtley's Shaun McAvoy looks on.

Birtley's Andy Innes with a strong defensive header.

North Shields prepare to defend a Shaun McAvoy left-wing corner.

The next goal did not come until the 72nd minute. James Kesterton laid the ball off to McAvoy, who made a fine run towards goal before firmly striking home. On 80 minutes, Chris Hepple passed out wide to Kesterton, whose hard, low shot from the right hand corner of the penalty area gave Lanning no chance at all. In the third minute of added time, Innes sent a hard ball forward into the penalty area, where Neil Blue, on as substitute for Sherlock, turned it into goal with his left foot.

Before and during the game I had my usual chat with the Birtley management team of Dave Smith and Paul Foster. Also, I was introduced to the Birtley Club Secretary, Trevor Armstrong, and spent most of the second half chatting to him.

Oh! I almost forgot; I didn't win the raffle - again!