For obvious reasons we don't get to see a lot of televised football in this place, but I did manage to see a bit of Manchester United this week. Typical of Sunderland that they manage a draw against the Reds and it turns out to be the worst anybody has done against them so far this season. Some side those Wimbedon exiles, and the troubles of the long time big boys does seem to give a lot of people pleasure. The Germans have a word for it, though we normally use two....
Back to the real thing though. Not a great start to the season, he says diplomatically. Although from what I saw we should probably have won against West Allotment and the replay with Bishops was a close run affair, but most people only see the result, and make their mind up on that basis. Never mind, nothing' s won or lost in August, it's a long season. And the new kit looks very smart.
On a wider note the league table makes interesting reading at an early stage. North Shields starting very well on their return, as are Bishops, Marske and Durham, all new faces near the top, with Shildon in there as one of the perennial challengers. Does this mean North Shields are finally starting to return to their glory days? Will Bishops be able to leave this league which so many of their followers think is far beneath them? Is it a genuine changing of the guard? Or will those who have dominated in recent seasons come back to the top? I rather think the former, what with Spenny gone and Celtic Nation in a period of transition, as are West Auckland, though nobody seems to know the story there. Gives us some hope that Bishops are doing so well, we gave them two good games in the Cup, and they looked very decent, but by no means an unreachable standard in my humble opinion, although of course I know nothing, as people will queue up to tell you. Overall looks to me to be potentially one of the most interesting league battles of recent years. The league looks very strong, not always a good thing for some of us of course...
So, what about our friends over the cemetery? Very steady start, just off the pace, but looking quite good. Will the first Northern League Ryhope derby happen next season at last? And if so in which division....