el Queso Grande's Groundhopping Tour 2007-8

Arngrove Northern League Division 2:

 Birtley Town 2-4 Crook Town  

I have hastily re-arranged my viewing schedule for more than one reason. My original choice was Chester le Street v Ashington, but this fixture has been reversed at short notice and I had no guarantee that I could get to Ashington in time for the game. Also, Birtley are still taking the division by storm, having won seven of their last eight games, and a rejuvenated Crook side are turning more than a few heads, having won three of their last four fixtures, so it should be a good game to watch - and it was !

Crook played some lovely football by some very skilful players. Odd to think that just a few weeks ago Crook Town was becoming the brunt of a lot of snide comments. The new management team have made a big difference.

Crook opened the scoring on 7 minutes when Matthew Coad was on hand to tap in at the far post from a right wing cross. In the 43rd. minute, Jason Thompson met a corner with his head to equalise. Crook replied straight after with a lovely strike from 20 yards by Daniel Olusaga. Half time 1-2.

Five minutes into the second half, Crook were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area and Keith Foster left Andy Mallinson stranded to increase the lead. Video clip of this free kick, below.

In the 70th. minute, Olusaga received just inside the penalty area and shot on the turn into the far corner, another lovely strike! Five minutes later, James Allsopp sent a free kick forward into the area, where Barrie Smith was able to control and shoot, reducing the deficit. Before the free kick was taken, Crook substitute Andrew Morgan was sent from the pitch, allegedly for a head butt. As the game went into injury time, Paul Terrell was brought down in the Crook penalty area. Matthew Coad was sent off during this incident. Andrew Grant-Soulsby, normally a good bet to convert a penalty kick, this time skied it over the bar. Even though Crook were by now reduced to nine men, they continued to take the game to Birtley and fully deserved the three points.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: Horden CW 1-3 Birtley Town

Suddenly finding myself able to take in a midweek game for a change, I was off to Horden for this Div. 2 game after drawing lots between this fixture, Crook Town v Hebburn Town and Sunderland Ryhope CA v Brandon United. It's been 2 seasons since I was last at Horden and I always enjoy going there, plus, I seem to be developing a soft spot for Birtley!

Arriving at Horden just over an hour before kick off, I was horrified to find the gates closed and the Supporters' Club shuttered, as if forever! Players and officials were being given access to the changing rooms, but it was not for another 25 minutes that I gained access to the clubhouse, where I partook of an unremarkable pint of Worthington Smooth for £1.70. Horden seem to be lacking supporters - the vast majority of patrons in the clubhouse were from or with Birtley. I can recall times when it was a struggle to be served at the bar. After hunting for a match programme, I managed to obtain one by entering the ground without paying as there was no-one in attendance at the turnstile. I then went back into the clubhouse to finish my drink and have a read of the programme, before going back through the now-manned turnstile and paying my 4 quid admission.

The apparent lack of a team sheet or an announcement of the line-ups over the PA left me struggling to identify most of the Horden players. Some of them, especially the more well-travelled ones like Roy Allen (pictured)

   and Gustavo di Lella, were instantly recognisable from previous matches, but the others were a problem. I did manage to find a team sheet, pinned up inside the entrance to the changing rooms and I must have missed about 5 minutes of the action while I hurriedly made notes, feeling all the time like some prospective pick-pocket, standing inside the entrance, which, in my opinion, should have been locked for security reasons.

Horden took the game to Birtley right from the start, with Roy Allen linking up well with Darren Atkinson, so it was no surprise on 15 minutes when Allen sent a hopeful looping header under the crossbar, just out of reach of Birtley keeper Andy Mallinson. 1-0. Birtley responded well to this setback and 5 minutes later James Allsopp was well placed just on the edge of the 6 yard box to meet a Barrie Smith cross from the right and send his header firmly into Andrew Rafferty's goal. 1-1. The game continued at a fast, sometimes frantic, pace but honours were still even at half time. Off to the Refreshments Counter for a welcome and warming cup of Bovril, a tad expensive at £1 by ANL standards. Once again, I didn't win the half time raffle!

The second half saw some early changes in both formations; Roy Allen was withdrawn and this reduced Horden's effectiveness as an attacking force. Also Birtley began to use their wide players more effectively and caused the Horden defence a lot of problems, especially down the right wing, where Barrie Smith constantly "stretched" the aging Gus di Lella, who is also the Horden Manager. On the hour mark, Shaun McAvoy took a corner from the left and sent it deep into the Horden penalty area, where James Kesterton was pushed over in the scramble for it. Andrew Grant-Soulsby stepped up to take the spot-kick and scored in his usual confident manner. 1-2. This goal lifted Birtley even more and the game became more or less a one-way affair and the inevitable third goal came when McAvoy found himself in a lot of space about 30 yards out and sent a well-aimed shot into goal, leaving Rafferty no chance at all. 1-3. Game over.

It was popularly believed that newly-promoted Birtley would struggle in this Division, however, to date, they have won 11 of their 14 matches, losing only one and are proving difficult to handle.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: Darlington RA 2-3 Birtley Town

Another visit to Brinkburn Road, much to the chagrin of several RA supporters and Assistant Managers, who threatened me with tars and feathers if RA were to concede another 4 goals in my presence! I had been looking forward to this fixture since the start of the season and wasn't disappointed. Birtley are a hard-working side and their work rate has been the key to their success thus far in their first season in the ANL. The RA management don't seem able to settle their defensive formation, although I was impressed with the contribution made by new signing from West Auckland Town, former Sunderland and Middlesbrough player Danny Robinson.

Before the game, I enjoyed a cheese 'n' ham toastie from the clubhouse bar, washed down with a nice pint of John Smith's Smooth, while chatting to a couple of the Birtley players's fathers.

Although both sides had their fair share of possession, Birtley were the first to score on 27 minutes, when James Allsopp met a Chris Hepple cross from the right and sent a firm header past RA's keeper Paul Gilmore. 6 minutes later, following a lot of pressure by RA, their centre-forward, Neil Tarrant restored parity. Just on the stroke of half time, Shaun McAvoy sent over a cross from the left which provided Luke Kerry with the opportunity to shoot past Gilmore's outstretched hand. 1-2 at half time.

Birtley went further ahead in the 48th. minute when James Kesterton got in front of his marker to touch in a right wing free kick by Chris Hepple. In the 77tth. minute, Tarrant took on Birtley keeper Andy Mallinson and finished well, however, he went to pick up the ball from the back of the net, probably to gain a quick re-start, but Birtley skipper Scott Garrett took offence at this and a scuffle ensued between the two. I was making notes and didn't see all that went on, but the result was that Garrett was sent off and Tarrant received a caution. Garrett might have just received a yellow card to add to the one the got a minute or so earlier for a tackle from behind I'm not sure about that. This put the damper on what had been an enjoyable tussle.

I met up with several people I know from both clubs as well as another groundhopper who calls himself Dims Spy and manages the web site for the "100 Football Grounds Club" which can be found at http://100groundsclub.blogspot.com/. I also had an interesting chat with the Birtley management pair, Dave Smith and Paul Foster during the game.

Birtley keeper Andy Mallinson takes a goal kick.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: Norton and Stockton Ancients 4-0 Darlington Railway Athletic

I arrived at Station Road, Norton on Tees, about a hour before kick-off, ample time to sample the refreshments on offer in the clubhouse, which is situated a cricket pitch and a car park away from the football pitch. I chose a passable pint of John Smith's Magnet at the unusual price of £2.01. While partaking of said Magnet I read the £0.50 programme from front to back, which didn't take long as it is sadly lacking in content. Another of my favourite players plays for Norton - former Durham City and Billingham Synthonia right back Craig Lake and I had the opportunity to nenew acquaintances with his parents, who watch every game Lakey plays.

Norton were the better team from the start, although RA did threaten in the early exchanges. It became obvious in the 13th minute that RA were going to be on the wrong end of this result when their left back, former Shildon player Charlie Walton, casually dealt with a left-wing cross from Harrison Davies by stroking the ball into the net instead of safely out for a corner kick. Nightmare! Davies continued to cause RA all kinds of problems and six minutes later, another of his very good crosses from the left found Marcus Laing totally unmarked in the penalty area and he gave RA keeper Paul Gilmore no chance. RA realised all of a sudden that the game was beginning to go beyond them and they began to play some good stuff, especially down the left, where Charlie Walton was linking up well with Jamie Smith.

Gilly watches a Norton shot safely over the bar.

RA on the attack.

RA's Michael Carter shields the ball from Craig Lake.

RA should have had a penalty when a Norton player fell over onto the ball and covered it with his hand and arm.

Norton player falling onto the ball.

The referee, however, decided that he was guilty of obstruction and awarded RA an indirect free kick about 12 yards out, which was dealt with easily by a packed Norton rearguard.

Indirect free kick dealt with by Norton defence.

2-0 at half time and off to the Bait Cabin for a rather tasty mince 'n' onion pie with delighful pastry and plenty of filling, washed down with a slightly too strong cup of Bovril for the combined price of £1.70.

The start of the second half saw RA begin with a much re-shuffled formation which included the substitution of Walton (no more O.G.'s from you today, Charlie!) and the retraction of Smith to a three-man back line. This simply gave Harrison Davies so much space out on the left that he continued to be a danger and on 49, he sent in another accurate cross which recent signing, former Thornaby striker, Ray Woodhouse put away to make it 3-0. Norton then seemed to be happy with the score and more or less took it easy, dealing with the many half-hearted attacks from RA without losing too much sweat. For many minutes, the most interesting action was when the referee pulled one of his hamstring muscles and had to retire, leaving one of the linesmen in control of the game, whose place was taken in turn by a bystander. Paul Gilmore pulled off an amazing reflex fingertip save from Woodhouse who had been set up by substitute Jonathan Howden, who had become a threat on the Norton right wing. In the 71st minute, Norton's Marcus Laing, who was one of the best players on view, received the ball on the right-hand corner of the penalty area and took it round the advancing Gilmore before finishing confidently. 4-0 and not a lot more to note in the last 20 minutes or so, which I spent discussing tactics or the lack of them with a couple of RA supporters, including my mate, Timbo of that ilk.

Sadly, my first visit to Norton was not memorable in itself, but, "another one bites the dust" as Queen sang. The football club is based in a large, well-appointed outdoor sports complex and there were rugby and hockey matches being played while I was there. The clubhouse is rather bigger than most in the Northern League but I suppose it needs to be so.

I am now considered to be a jinx on Darlington RA; this was the third of their games that I have attended this season and they have lost 4-0, 4-2 and 4-0!  The RA supporters can breathe easily now though, I am not due to watch them again until they visit Birtley in February! 

Arngrove Northern League Division 2: Darlington RA 2-4 Guisborough Town

Another last-minute change in plans saw me forgo the fixture at Hillheads between Whitley Bay and Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics, in favour of the opportunity to make my first ever visit to Brinkburn Road, Darlington. The RA have a smashing club house, with a very good choice of refreshments at the bar. I chose a pint of John Smith's Magnet which was very good value at £1.90. Having dined before leaving home I did not sample one of Maureen's famous pies, however. Before the game, I was pleased to be recognised by Martyn "Jacko" Jackson, the club's Secretary/Treasurer as well as Assistant Team Manager, who remembered me from the Consett FA Cup tie in September.

This game could well have been drawn, however Guisborough were probably good value for their victory, although several RA players must be wondering what the score might have been had less mistakes been made and more concentration exerted at crucial times. Both sides were guilty of missing chances and squandering half chances, but, that's football for you.

RA (red strip) start the game

Town went 2 up inside the first 20 minutes with goals from Carl Chillingsworth, who headed in from about a yard out although RA keeper Paul Gilmore should have claimed the ball when it rebounded from the post, and Craig Skelton, whose shot-on-the-turn inside the penalty area took everyone by surprise.

0-2 at half time and back to the bar for a half and a chat with NLZ-er Timbo.

Darlington RA on the attack

After the break, RA came more into the game, making one wonder why they hadn't used their short passing game more in the first half. Tom Ptak reduced the deficit on 60 minutes when he sent in a left foot shot from just inside the penalty area. A minute later, while The RA were still celebrating their goal, Steve Cochrane found himself with enough room to turn and shoot past Gilmore. On 66 minutes, RA's Neil Tarrant took on Town keeper Simon Bishop, shooting past him to make it 3-2. Game still on! 10 minutes later Town's much-travelled centre half David Goodchild rose unchallenged to meet a free kick from deep, sending his header past Gilmore. (I actually caught this one on camera, a rare occasion indeed!)

David Goodchild (partly behind the referee) heads past Paul Gilmore

All in all, I enjoyed my day at Darlington, especially having been able to meet up with quite a few regular contributors to Nonleaguezone.com