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.

New addition to the Northern League line-up!

It has just been announced that Whitehaven Amateurs FC will take their place in Division 2 next season, having been granted promotion from the Wearside League. This will be a new venue for me, although it will mean a long day as Whitehaven is about 2½ hours drive from my home.

Sampling the fare offered by the Sandwich Van at Moor Park, Chester le Street

I always have a snack before kick-off or at half-time, usually a pie of some description, however, the Bacon Butties at Chester le Street must not be missed! That's me on the left with a gob full of buttie; the lad on the right is an Ashington supporter. (Ever wondered why we wear those silly badge-encrusted woolly hats?)