Confusion reigns supreme on the day

News would later reach us of Tom’s gk shirt colour issues and of his refusal to don a Xmas themed jumper to wear in goal. He has assured us this will be happening at some point in the season!

Pre-match changing room music was missing as John had forgotten his speaker so rather than the usual Rasputin infused changing room banter, there was more grown up chat than usual about morning dates and jewellery that comes with an obligation.

A squad of 13 this weekend of which there were at least half of us carrying injury niggles (including JZ who played despite having ruled himself out with a thumb injury) meant we were going to have to go through the pain barrier to get the desired victory.

The first 10 minutes of the game was fairly uneventful as both teams struggled for fluidity and composure. The first chance of note fell Tynedale’s way through a penalty corner. Dispatched with a neat flick which postman Nathan couldn’t repeat his samurai heroics of the Gateshead game a few weeks earlier. 1-0.

The next chance was one for the toon, also from a penalty corner. Up stepped John, saved by the keeper but the rebound fell back to him. He managed to bring it down and it then bobbled its way over to Lecky who powered home on the backhand to level the scores.

Not long after levelling the score, the Toon would take the lead, a tidy passing move from right back through the mid and to left wing allowed for Tweddle to find Paddy with the ball in a 2 on 1. He smartly recognised the defender was blocking the pass to the supporting Lawson and was able to slot under the on rushing keeper.

Haribo half time and some hard truths had us fired up to go out and improve in the second half as we were playing some way short of our best. Luckily for us the opposition too were below par in that first half.

Unfortunately for us their level picked up in the second half and despite some strong saves from Tom and excellent break ups from the back 4 of Nathan, Adam, John & Ed - Tynedale levelled the score.

Ours would be the next chance. With one tomahawk goal to his name already Lecky fancied another one. This one was flying at rib height(but safely). It was whistling past the keeper before striking a defenders arm. Was it on target, was it a flick or short corner? Nope, the ball after hitting the Tynedale player in the arm trickled past the post and a long corner was given…..

Midfield were putting in a real shift today with Lecky, James, Mike & Joe never seeming to stop running. Ed had his now weekly battle with a youngster, playing through a quad injury and his apparent issues with the bright sunshine.

Our next dee entry also yielded a great chance. This would make its way in to right of centre and bobbled up to Lawson. Controlled and looking to bring down ready to shoot a Tynedale player came swinging his stick in and the ball then broke to Paddy who slotted home. Goal awarded 3-2 toon.

It was at that point Tynedale players surrounded the umpire and pressuring him to change his decision. A quick chat with the other umpire and would you believe it the goal was overturned! Explanation given to the captain for the goal now not being given… yeah that would’ve been nice.

As always in sport when a team feels harshly done by they can take their eye off the ball and the other team also gain’s motivation so it was almost inevitable Tynedale would go on and get the winner and indeed they did. Somehow there was a queue of players at the far post waiting to tip in the ball.

The final few minutes ticked by until with the last play of the game Lawson won a short driving into the D on the right baseline. I say won…. The tackle wouldn’t have looked out of place at Twickenham. Some on the sideline were screaming for a flick even!

Up stepped John Mc but again the keeper thwarted the drag flick and Tynedale cleared to inflict a first defeat of the season on Newcastle.

Spirits were lifted at match teas due to the excellent pizza and chips and Nathan’s tales of Norfolk dating and his “Australian” accent. There was also a Southern Hemisphere-off between John and their NZ umpire. Earache was not enjoyed by all.

Onto next week to try and right the wrongs against last seasons league champs

Tynedale 3-2 Newcastle

Match report : Alex Lawson