View from the Cemetery

I’m sorry to bring this up, but this recent run of wins in the league, Hebburn excepted, and by all accounts that was very unlucky, has had me looking at the whereabouts of clubs who ply their trade in the Northern Premier East Division. Just starting to worry a bit that’s all, as we rise relentlessly up the league. I don’t know if the lads’ noses are starting to bleed but mine certainly is. Anyway, there are some interesting clubs amongst the denizens and likely denizens of the Evo-Stik East, to give them their official title. It’s still a bit of a long shot, and God knows how we would manage if we end up elevated to glory, but it does no harm to have a bit of a look see has always been my policy. A few we know well, and a few we know by reputation. Nowt to worry about in football terms I don’t think, and Morpeth, Marske, Shields and others prove that in recent seasons, as does our own trips out and about in the Cup and Vase. But still, some are a bit of a trip, and no mistake. Interesting times we live in. We, though not specifically me, would certainly get to know the way up and down the A1. We shall have to wait and see if Consett and Bishops can revive or Hebburn or Stockton push past us on the run in. Fingers crossed, but I’m not sure which way.

Back on track last week with a comprehensive win over Consett, we played well and won well. That means that we have beaten the two sides who will probably finish second and third in the league home and away with an aggregate score of 10-3, and yet are a good eight to nine points behind them at the moment. Frustrating isn’t the word. I think we are better than either Bishops or Consett all things being equal, but a combination of bad luck with injuries and some inexplicable results against sides near the bottom means we most likely can’t prove it this season. Annoying. Still we are on a great run at present, five wins out of six and a fairly full squad to pick from at present. Another strong end to the season looks on, let’s go for it. Been good as well to see Dylan Elliott back in the last few weeks after a few knocks and setbacks this season, and I have also noticed Stevie Callen taking part in the warm ups recently. Be great to see Steve get a few runs before the end of term, having missed most of the season, with a sportsman’s injury, not alcohol related. On we go.

Are the famous old neighbouring townships of Ryhope and Seaham rapidly becoming a proverbial football hotbed? It is starting to look like it. Modesty prevents me from waxing too lyrical about ourselves, for a bit anyway, but the CW and Red Star are certainly starting to attract some notice. Tuesday night’s comprehensive win for the Colliery over at Dunston must be on paper one of their best results for a long time. Very well done indeed. And the Red Star boys are not doing so dusty of late either, with five league wins since Christmas compared to three before then. All three of us looking good to go for another season in the top flight next year, FA shenanigans notwithstanding, and now the only thing we need to do is get more people to come and watch. Lots of good competitive derbies with three sides fighting to be local top dogs can only help. We have Red Star to play in April and so do the CW, so lets hope the interest is good for both of those games, it certainly should be.

Good, good stuff down at Shildon. Very solid, despite Kyle Davis’s unlucky sending off. The video wasn’t clear enough to help him with an appeal, especially as the ref was very well placed and its his view that counts, but there is little doubt it was accidental and that the Shildon player made a meal of it, which  leaves a bad taste. Thankfully thereafter he had a stinker of a game, Shildon would probably have been better off if he had seen the red rather than Kyle. Good goals by Kyle and Sparky and for the vast majority of the match little to worry about at the back, with all of the defenders playing well, although a bit of a late panic made things interesting, and a cracking save by Scott Pocklington secured the points. On we go, with Bishops today, another balloon to burst? I hope so, but they will clearly be tough opponents, their form is excellent. Still, we need to push up this table, the three or four ahead of us are well in range so plenty to look forward to before the early end of the season.