Wide Boys

 On Saturday 21st October, I went to see Wallsend Boys Club Under 23s v Wideopen, and thoroughly enjoyed myself...

The news that Percy Main’s game at home to Chemfica Amateurs, along with every other Northern Alliance fixture that was to be played on grass, had been postponed on account of Storm Babet’s excessive watering of the pitch, was not in any way unexpected. It was still very disappointing, as it was supposed to be the debut programme with me as editor. In order to keep myself sane, I knew I needed a live football fix and not just some firestick fun. Hence, I scanned the surviving fixtures, of which there were 2 in the George Dobbins League Cup (Newcastle City v Whickham Under 23s and Wallsend Boys’ Club Under 23s v Wideopen) and 5 in the Bill Gardner Cup (Gosforth Bohemians Reserves v Blyth Rangers, Heddon v AFC Newbiggin, Hexham v Walker Central, Newcastle Independent v Benton and North Shields Athletic Reserves v Great Park). Interestingly, there was also a potentially fascinating encounter that spanned the political divide in Conference North where Blyth Spartans, a team from the Tory heartlands, were hosting the sporting scion of the Socialist Republic of Tamworth, but it was £15 to get in, so I quickly abandoned any thoughts of that one. Just as well, as it was apparently a rotten game that Tamworth won deep in injury time.

Of the 7 fixtures available to me, I immediately dismissed any thoughts of Gosforth Bohs (2-2 and 4-3 after penalties), even if they were playing at Kenton School, where I’ve never been, Heddon (0-11), Hexham (1-5) and Newcastle City (4-0), because of the length of journey required and Newcastle Independent (4-0), as I’ve been to Coach Lane on innumerable occasions. This left a straight choice between North Shields Athletic and Wallsend Boys’ Club, which I allowed Go North East buses, fresh from their latest week’s holiday, to decide. Stood by the Shiremoor Farm, I decided that the first 307 to arrive would seal my fate; up the hill and I was off to the Boyza, while down the hill would send me to Shields. Within a few minutes, I spotted a bus lumbering up from the Coast Road, passing Formica and the industrial estate where the sorting office is; Wallsend here I come.

I was pleased with this flip of fortune’s coin for a couple of reasons. Firstly, and most relevantly, I’d seen WBCU23s a couple of times, most recently when they won away at Walkergate, and I liked the way they played football. Secondly, and more nostalgically, I’d not been to the Rheydt Avenue site since I retired from playing Over 40s at the end of the 2016/2017 season. I’d played for the same team from the start of the 2005/2006 season, when we finished 9^th in Division 4 and quit when we won the Division 1 title, just before I turned 53. Initially, we were The Board Inn, from Herrington by the A19, but that was simply because we’d taken over their former team’s registration. We were subsequently known as Heaton Winstons, then Wallsend Winstons and, finally, Wallsend Boys’ Club. I found it more than amusing that someone of my modest to negligible abilities was able to call myself a playing member of the famous WBC. It had to be true; we were all given training gear and strips to prove the fact. I’ve still got my polo shirt and training top. Of course, being honest, I was basically the reserve keeper for my last 3 seasons, getting rustier and older by the week, given the odd game when the first-choice lad wasn’t available, or brought on in the last few minutes with the points already secure. The very idea of me donning the gloves in the Premier Division of the North East Over 40s, up against blokes who’d played as professionals or won the FA Vase as non-league players, was laughable. Farting about on the website, I did notice one intriguing thing though; the team I played for are now called North East Sporting Club, so I presume there has been a falling-out along the way. I’ve no idea why though and, as I don’t recognise any of the named players on the registration list, it’ll remain a mystery, I guess.

Anyway, alighting from the 307 at Devonshire Gardens, I realised I’d misjudged the distance I needed to walk, to the extent that by the time I arrived, it felt like I’d managed to get my 10k steps in and still made kick off. The new 4G facility is very impressive, as it boasts both a perfect playing surface and a proper stand, providing cover from the elements and, crucially on this sunny afternoon, shade from a glaring sun that beat down relentlessly, blinding those on the far side and making a liar of the meteorologists who’d claimed incessant rain would be our lot until late Saturday night.  The game, like the weather and the surroundings, was pretty good as well. I’ve not seen Wideopen in years, though I have noticed they’ve progressed up a couple of divisions in recent seasons, and they looked a decent, experienced outfit.

The home side, playing as ever to a system that emphasised pushing up and short passing, took the lead with a decent strike into the top corner, but this was rather against the pattern of play in the first half. Wideopen’s experienced strikers showed a fine sense of movement and dragged the Wallsend defenders around the place, though the quickfire double that gave the visitors a half-time lead, came more from inspired clinical finishes than any style of play. The equaliser saw the balled curled home from the edge of the box, though there may have been a final touch that deceived the home keeper, while the second saw a moment of calm after a frenetic scramble, as a well-placed effort was rolled into the corner.

I’d spent the first half squinting into the sun, so moved round to the stand, with an attendant 15 degree drop in temperature, to sit among some rather partisan home fans, who appeared to be the dads and uncles of the lads representing the Boyza. For almost the entire half, they were frustrated and disappointed as the Wideopen keeper held everything they threw at him and the ones he didn’t catch went harmlessly wide. Frankly, WBC could have scored at least 3 on the balance of play, but Wideopen showed how it should be done with a fast break and simple tap-in. It wasn’t as good as Callum Wilson’s goal at SJP that put the cherry on the 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace, but it deserved a warm round of applause as it made the final score 3-1 to the visitors, who progress to round 3 of the George Dobbins League Cup. Best of luck to both teams. I hope to see you again in the future.