Jarrow Roofing (19-04-2014)

Jarrow Roofing 1 – 0 Heaton Stannington (Northern League Division 2), 19^th April 2014

Train ticket (Sheffield-Brockley Whins) = £62-50

Jarrow tea = £1

Washington tea = 80p

Washington Oxo = 50p

Greggs snacks = £3

Jarrow entrance = £5

Washington entrance = £5 (programme included!)

Magazine at Jarrow = £2-50

Total hop costs = £80-30

Sloping towards the end of the season, I opted to do a couple of the Saturday games on the NL Easter hop. I’d briefly flirted with the idea of doing the whole weekend or at least a couple of days, but eventually decided that I’d go for the option which enabled me to be back home for the evening. Jarrow’s ground is actually in the Boldon area of Newcastle, and a short walk from Brockley Whins metro station. As I made my way to the ground, I found myself giving directions to fellow football tourists to a ground I’d never been to before – I must look like I know where I’m going!

The ground was situated at the end of a short track off the road, adjacent to a council pitch with muddy goal-mouths, and Boldon CA FC (who play in the Wearside League). There seemed to be a progression in the standard of grounds as you walked further down the track. A fiver for entry in a narrow gate at the side, and this immediately reminded me of Marske United. Either side of the entrance gate were narrow sections of covered terraces, shielded by robust corrugated iron sheets, painted blue. Directly opposite the entrance was a neat blue and yellow stand, and to my left were a few plastic seats at the front of the terraces. This was another memorable ground in the North-East.

After getting a cup of tea, I attempted to get a programme, but to no avail as they had all sold out. Fortunately I noticed a whiteboard near the entrance with the line-ups listed, so out came the iPod for a photo. I was also able to pick up a copy of the 3^rd issue of ‘The Football Pink’ for £2-50, which was full of interesting articles by bloggers and fans. The home side started strongest, with Shaun Heads forcing a clearance off the line early on, and taking the lead when Andy Appleby latched onto a slide-rule pass to give them the advantage. Heaton did have periods of possession, but couldn’t forge any meaningful opportunities, with the closest chance coming when a long-ranger from Paul Blakey drifted wide. Jarrow asserted themselves again when McBryde hit the post with a first time shot, and then had a volley saved soon after. They were well-organised, and seemed to be playing with Jamie Marshall as a deep-lying ‘sweeping’ midfielder which was very effective. Heaton had a couple of half-chances before the break, with a dragged shot from McBryde saved before he fired a free kick at the keeper on 43 minutes.

The second half wasn’t great to be honest, though the game did start to open up. An innocuous volley from Jarrow’s Myers was saved almost straight after half-time, and then Heaton’s Johnson fired massively wide, followed by a proverbial drop-goal by Kieran Weekes (over and out). Jarrow’s Stephen Young opened up Heaton when he cut in from the right and forced a save from Shaun Backhouse, while Gardiner hit another chance wide from the resulting corner. Heaton had a couple of golden opportunities towards the end, and perhaps could have nicked a point here. McKenna’s shot was well-saved by a nerveless Andy Hunter, before Jonathan Wright couldn’t connect with a dipping cross across the penalty box. Jarrow wrapped up the win, and the hoppers started to stream for the exits on the way to the next ground at Washington FC.