West Auckland Town 2-1 Hall Road Rangers

I chose this FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Tie as I had not been to Darlington Road for about 3 seasons and I thought it was time I put that right.




West Auckland is famous for being the first team ever to win the World Cup! Sir Thomas Lipton, a multi-millionaire and keen sportsman, put up a trophy for a tournament to be played in Italy in 1909. Apparently, none of the higher profile English clubs were interested so, West Auckland took up the challenge and ended up as winners! Two years later, they were invited to defend their title, which they did. The players, mostly coal-miners, had to finance their trip to Italy themselves and when they returned home, they had to sell the trophy to redeem a debt of £40. The full story of their World Cup exploits can be found at http://www.westaucklandweb.co.uk/

West Auckland has one of those grounds which are apparently unique to County Durham, having been affected by subsidence and the pitch resembles a handkerchief held at the four corners.

The match started off well, Rangers looked the more dangerous but when West attacked, the Rangers defence looked a little suspect and I thought that West would be able to exploit that weakness. Each side had a player sent off inside the first 20 minutes - my Facebook Friend, Dale Jardine retaliated after a nasty two-footed tackle on him and both players were red-carded.

0-0 at half time. Rangers took the lead against the run of play in the 52nd. minute, courtesy of Martin Thacker with a rocket shot into the top corner. West replied 2 minutes later through Ian Maddison. Steve Flockett put West into the lead with about 15 minutes left.

The mince 'n' onion pies were delicious - I had two (!?!), but my day was rounded off by winning the second prize of 4 cans of ale in the half time draw!

Photographs of my match day at West Auckland can be found at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/blackfelladder/WestAucklandTownVHallRoadRangers

Whitehaven Amateurs 5-1 Washington

It's not much more than 100 miles from Washington to Whitehaven, but the journey took the coach about 3½ hours each way. We arrived at about 14:45 and the kick-off had to be delayed by 15 minutes to allow the visitors time to change and warm up. Nightmare!

Whitehaven's ground is part of a sports complex, nicely laid out but only accessible down a very narrow lane - the driver must have been a bag of nerves by the time we got there. There is a very good playing surface and probably the minimum requirement of seating and covered standing.

Although Whitehaven were not 4 goals better than Washington, they did take advantage of a disorganised Washington defence on more than one occasion.

Scorers: Whitehaven - Lee Dixon pen, 6 minutes, Carl McGrady, 21 minutes, o.g. 41 minutes (not sure who), Kevin Law, 47 minutes, helped into the net by Bradley Brooking, Craig Robson, who took advantage of a mix-up between the Washy keeper and one of his defenders to round off a very impressive personal performance with his goal into an empty net.

Washington - Derek Waters with a very clever left-footed free kick on 52 minutes.

League Chairman Mike Amos arrived at half time with League Chaplain Rev Leo Osborn after their sponsored walk. Fair play to the both of them the weather was not very nice, to say the least.

My photos from my day at Whitehaven are to be found at

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/blackfelladder/WhitehavenAmateursVWashington

Counting Down

It is now less than a week away to the start of the Northern League season and I am unhappy at having been able to watch only one of all the friendlies which have been staged over the past few weeks. It's a sin how much family and work can get in the way of a man's hobby! All I can do is dream of getting to a match every day!

Matches Attended Season 2008-9

1. 09/07/08 Birtley Town 1-6 Dunston Federation Friendly
2. 09/08/08 Whitehaven Amateurs 5-1 Washington Northern League Div 2
3. 16/08/08 West Auckland Town 2-1 Hall Road Rangers FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
4. 23/08/08 Birtley Town 2-1 Crook Town Northern League Div 2
5. 30/08/08 Billingham Synthonia 0-2 Ryton FA Cup Preliminary Round
6. 02/09/08 Ryton 2-1 Billingham Synthonia Northern League Div 1
7. 03/09/08 Brandon United 0-1 Whitehaven Amateurs Northern League Div 2
8. 10/09/08 Crook Town 3-2 Billingham Synthonia FA Vase 1st. Round Qualifying
9. 13/09/08 Norton & Stockton Ancients 4-1 Whickham Northern League Div 2
10. 20/09/08 Birtley Town 1-2 Scarborough Athletic FA Vase 2nd Round Qualifying
11. 27/09/08 Washington 5-1 Darlington Railway Athletic Northern League Div 2
12. 04/10/08 Sunderland RCA 1-2 Marske United FA Vase 1st Round Proper
13. 11/10/08 Consett 5-2 Ryton Northern League Div 1
14. 18/10/08 Seaham Red Star 1-2 Northallerton Town Northern League Div 2
15. 29/10/08 Sunderland Nissan 3-1 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
16. 01/11/08 Ashington 3-1 Northallerton Town Northern League Div 1
17. 08/11/08 Chester le Street Town 4-1 Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastic Northern League Div 1
18. 15/11/08 Spennymoor Town 2-1 Stokesley S.C. FA Vase 2nd Round Proper
19. 19/11/08 Shildon 4-1 Billingham Town Northern League Cup 2nd Round
20. 22/11/08 Esh Winning 3-1 Whitehaven Amateurs Northern League Div 2
21. 29/11/08 Horden C.W. 3-2 Guisborough Town Northern League Div 2
22. 06/12/08 Billingham Synthonia 5-2 West Auckland Town Northern League Div 1
23. 27/12/08 Consett 2-2 Dunston Federation Northern League Div 1
24. 03/01/09 Bishop Auckland 1-4 Dunston Federation Northern League Div 1
25. 13/01/09 Tow Law Town 2-3 Billingham Synthonia Durham County FA Challenge Cup 3rd. Round
26. 17/01/09 Dunston Federation 5-6 Chalfont St. Peter (after extra time, 4-4 at 90 minutes) FA Vase 4th. Round Proper
27. 24/01/09 Spennymoor Town 1-1 Coalville Town (after extra time, 0-0 at 90 minutes) FA Vase 4th. Round Replay. Spennymoor go through 5-4 on penalties.
28. 31/01/09 Jarrow Roofing 1-0 Darlington Railway Athletic Northern League Div 2
29. 04/02/09 Billingham Synthonia 3-0 Shildon Durham County FA Challenge Cup 4th round (semi-final)
30. 04/04/09 Bedlington Terriers 1-3 Spennymoor Town Northern League Div 1
31. 10/04/09 Esh Winning 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients Northern League Div 2
32. 25/04/09 Spennymoor Town 2-3 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
33. 02/05/09 Whitley Bay 2-3 Consett Northern League Division 1.

34. 10/05/09 GLOSSOP NORTH END V WHITLEY BAY FA VASE FINAL (AT WEMBLEY STADIUM)

35. 15/05/09 Penrith 0-2 Newcastle Benfield Northern League Cup Final
36. 22/05/09 Newton Aycliffe 0-1 Teesside Athletic Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Final

The warm-up begins!

Wednesday 09/07/08
Birtley Town 1-6 Dunston Federation
Birtley started the better and took an early lead with a good individual goal but no one knows the scorer (N0. 16). Dunston got stronger as the half went on and scored through Richard Logan's 16 yard shot on the turn, Mark O'Bern from close range and evergreen Steve Preen converted a pinpoint Fergal Harkin cross.
After a period of home pressure Birtley committed suicide when keeper Andy Mallinson dallied too long on the ball and sub Thompson within a minute of coming on charged the attempted clearance into the net. With time running out Kane Young converted a fifth from 10 yards and an 88th minute Neil Pattinson free kick deceived everyone and went straight in.
Tossed it down throughout but really enjoyed the first game of the season, especially the craic!
Birtley now have the building of their club house in place and are waiting to have it fitted out.