el Queso Grande's Groundhopping Tour 2007-8

FA Carlsberg Vase 4th. Round Replay: Consett 4-1 Poole

Pre-match: Having been a mite ill last weekend, I missed going to my intended match, Dunston Federation v Shrivenham in the FA Vase 4th. round, which finished in a massive 8-0 victory for The Fed. To make up for missing that one, I am going up into the wilds of County Durham for my second visit of the season to Belle Vue. Consett drew last week's tie at Poole 1-1 after extra time and must surely start this replay as favourites to progress.

Matchday: Having arrived at the ground about an hour before kick-off, as is my wont, I made my usual visit to the bar, which was busier than of late. Had a very good pint of John Smith's Smooth for £2.10 and bought a club badge to add to my collection. I spent a few minutes talking to a Consett supporter who had made the trip to Poole the previous week and was able to have a look at some of his photos of the day. Then met up with fellow Nonleaguezoner, Peter, whose user name is "eshauthor", we took my habitual stroll around the pitch before the game started. The Consett committee, especially Chairman John Hurst, had spent the previous week "bumping-up" the game in the local press, which paid dividends, as there were some 514 paying customers, the 3rd. best attendance in the round. One guy I spoke with borrowed my mobile phone to get in touch with his wife; he had not realised that there were actually seats to be sat on and that had been the only reason she had not come to the game with him! Not bad for someone who lives just around the corner!

The front page of the programme has a photograph from the drawn match at Poole. Consett are playing in blue in the picture.

The match itself turned to be a cracker, Poole took the game to Consett from the off and there were some worried faces among the Consett supporters who saw Poole produce attack after attack in the first 10 minutes, without much response from Consett. Indeed, Poole took the lead from one of many long throw-ins in which the number 11, Dan Cann, specialised, Consett defender Mark Gaffney, an early substitute for Michael Coulthard, was unlucky enough to head the ball into his own goal, just under the crossbar. Consett then began to realise that a result was needed and played their part in an end-to-end tussle. On 17 minutes, Mattie Moffatt crossed into the area where Steven Brown was waiting to turn the ball into goal 1-1. 15 minutes later, Steven Johnson made it 2-1 to Consett., which was the score at half-time. The queue was far too long for me to even think about joining it, so I went without my refreshment.

The second half was a repeat of the first - end-to-end stuff and with better luck and better finishing, Poole could have actually taken the lead. However, Mattie Moffatt increased Consett's lead with some great finishing in the 68th. minute 3-1. 6 minutes later, Steven Brown took a free-kick from the left hand corner of the penalty area, which a Poole defender could only deflect over his goalkeeper and under the bar 4-1. Some frantic attacking and defending followed from both sides, but the score was to remain the same. A great day was had by all, including those Poole supporters I met up with, who were very gracious in defeat. Consett now face a long trip south to Merstham in Surrey, for their 5th. Round tie.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention, my form returned to normal and I didn't win the raffle! 

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: Sunderland Ryhope CA 6-1 Stokesley SC

Before Matchday: I must have passed Meadow Park, Ryhope near Sunderland, a thousand times yet I have never watched a football match there. This could be a good game, the sides are just above the mid point of the table and both have been active in the transfer market of late. Me old mate Neil (Hicka) Hixon is the RCA manager and is building what looks to be a strong squad.

Matchday: I found the ground easily enough, you have to access the car park through a private housing estate with lots of cul-de-sacs, which can be misleading, but I was lucky enough to get through without a wrong turn. The guy at the gate, who happened to be club chairman, also sells the programmes. You receive a free raffle ticket with your admission, which is nice. Seeing that I had saved on the price of the raffle, I decided to help the club funds by purchasing another for £1.

The pitch is open down three of the sides and a cemetery is just over the fence around the North West corner. On the South side are found all the usual buildings - changing rooms, clubhouse, hospitality area, toilets etc. They are in need of refurbishment but are still homely enough. The main stand is named after Ray Baines, one of the life presidents, who has been connected with the club for about 40 years. Ray still attends the matches and was present for this one, even though in obvious ill health, being over 89 years old. The pitch has had a lot of sand on it recently, probably to dry it out after the recent rain. Before the game, I had a can of Stones Bitter for £1.20 (RCA don't have proper bar facilities) and a slice of corned beef 'n' tatie pie for £1 - very tasty, too.

The entrance to the clubhouse.

Stokesley threatened RCA's goal right from the start, but, RCA were soon able to get on the attack themselves. Both sides hit the woodwork many times and Stokesley's players were guilty of some poor shooting as well as having some bad luck with their shots at goal. However, at half time RCA were three goals to the good, scored by Adam McGuinness, Andy Jennings and Wayne Henderson. I headed off to the clubhouse for an absolutely massive hot dog for £1, washed down with a cup of Bovril for 50p. In the second half, the play was much as in the first before Jennings set up Paul Sammons fo the fourth goal. Stokesly reduced the deficit by virtue of a well-struck free from about 25 yards out by Lev Yalcin. RCA then turned up the heat and scored another two in the last five minutes through Andy Hoban and Sammons.

During the game I had a chat with League Chairman, Mike Amos, and spent most of the second half talking to RCA management team Neil Hixon and George Herd. Herd is a former Sunderland AFC player. I remember him from the 1960's, and even though he is now in his early 70's, he certainly makes himself heard!

Neil Hixon and George Herd.

 George Herd in his Sunderland playing days c1964.

Even though it was a very cold day and I couldn't feel my feet by the end of the game, I thoroughly enoyed my afternoon at Ryhope and, guess what? I actually won the second prize in the raffle, in the shape of a bottle of red wine! 

There are more photographs from my Meadow Park visit at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/blackfelladder/SunderlandRyhopeCAVStokesleySC

 

Arngrove Northern League Division 1: Ashington 3-1 Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA

Before match day: At least, I hope to go there, hoping for some kind soul to offer me a lift! This will be one of the last games played at Portland Park, which is being closed for redevelopment. I did actually go to Portland Park, back in the 1960's, when Ashington were in the Wearside League. I went with Hylton Colliery Welfare, but none of us actually got off the bus; the game was postponed, I think for a waterlogged pitch.

Match day: Having sorted out my transportation problems, I arrived at Portland Park about an hour before kick-off.

There has been a lot of vandalism in and around the ground, not least to the perimeter fencing, through which you actually see all of the pitch!

The "Shed", visible through the holes in the fence is on the south side of the pitch and has a large terraced area; opposite is a covered seated stand, underneath which are the changing rooms etc. The clubhouse is accessed from the back of the Shed and alcoholic drinks are served from the bar, while hot drinks and food are served from a makeshift kitchen in the lounge. Just inside the clubhouse two walls are plastered with posters, press cuttings and photographs depicting the history of the club. I had a nice pint of John Smith's Smooth for £2.00 and an almost warm mince pie for £1.00, which had a crispy crust but was lacking in filling, which was nevertheless tasty. I had been recognised by the guy taking the money on the gate, who turned out to be fellow Nonleaguezoner, Ian and soon was able to renew my acquaintance with others in Gav, BrianS and Stealth Plow. There was no-one present to sell me a club badge, so Ian very kindly offered me one of his own and refused to take any payment for it. This photo doesn't really do it justice:  In return, I insisted on paying for Ian's half-time refreshments. (I got the better of the deal! )

The game itself was quite enjoyable, Ashington manager Andy Gowens has assembled a very capable side since he took over the reins and Roofers did their best to contain them, although their efforts were sometimes rather crude and at times even ruthless, indicating their status of division 1's bottom team. Some strange decisions by the officials led to some angry comments from supporters of both sides. Jarrow now boast the services of Craig Tate, mentioned on this site in http://www.freewebs.com/blackfelladder/august2007.htm when he starred for Tow Law Town in their FA Cup tie at Hebburn and he was easily their best player. For The Colliers, Lee McAndrew and old-stager Colin Morton impressed. The scorers were Ashington: Lee McAndrew and Ross Atkinson (2 inc. 1 pen.); Jarrow Roofing: Paul Hodgson who got a very late consolation goal. Roofers had Paul Catto dismissed towards the end for a second bookable offence.

Location photos can be found at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/blackfelladder/AshingtonVJarrowRoofing