Pilko Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 What an excellent day out. 12,212 was the attendance, I'd say at least 7,000 were Bay fans (although it was hard to tell as Glossops home colours were Blue and white as well!) You couldn't have picked a nicer day for a game of football, the weather was absolutely roasting all day long - the Glossop lot got put in the shade, we got the sunny end! Cold beers and shirts off were the order of the day. There wasn't any sign of trouble either, there were obviously some blokes who had far too much to drink but they channeled their drunken energy into chanting the Bay home opposed to starting any trouble. The match itself - After an even first twenty-odd minutes (both teams hit the bar), Lee Kerr robbed a Glossop defender, burst past another and lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper from the edge of the 6-yard box. Cue mass pandemonium in the Bay end! Bay quickly dominated possesion, and with the quick McFarlane scampering down the right flank and causing the Glossop left back all sorts of problems, Whitley could counter as Glossops decent passing game was blocked off and right on the stroke of half time, just after Glossop forced Terry Burke into a few regulation saves, Whitley Broke away, Chow and McFarlane played an excellent double one-two with their heads, Chow raced clear and blasted the ball above the goalie! 2-0 and the Bay end went mental again. After a few cold (pricey!) pints at half time, the second half was played out, Whitley hit the bar again, twice, and they continued to pressure. Both teams made a few subs and the game lost its high tempo a bit, although Whitley did look fairly assured apart from one poor call by the linesman that forced Burke into action. After about an hour, Lee Picton came to take a thrown-in next to the Bay end, he clenched a fist at the crowd and that got everyone on their feet again. With about 75 minutes gone, Glossop started to dominate, forcing a series of corners and almost scored when Burke dropped the ball on the edge of the area. Despite this, Whitley defended well and Kerr and substitute Bell provided great pressure up front and kept the Glossop players on their toes. By this point, shoes were off (if you love the Bay!) and mexican waves passed through the Bay end, into the Glossop end (our lot booed loudly as they did it ). It must be said the game was played in a good spirit by both teams, and there wasn't a single yellow card. The referee was decent (barring a few dodgy throw-in calls early on) and the linesman on the far side missed a few blatant offsides, but nothing to complain about there really. Full time whistle went, the perfect end to a near perfect day. Our lot were fantastic and applauded the Glossop players as they collected their runners-up medals, before cheering hugely as Ian Chandler and coach Gavin Fell lifted the trophy up in front of the triumphant Bay end. The players then got on their podium after going up to get the trophy and everyone afforded them the umpteenth throaty roar and standing ovation of the day. The stadium itself was lovely, very impressive. Must be immense when it's full. Stewards were helpful (and not a pain in the arse when everyone wanted to stand up for parts of the game) and fans of both teams mixed and drank together before the game. Funny chant of the day: A few blokes singing "You couldn't sell all your tickets!" when the 12,212 attendance was announced. Photos: http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2448/ssa50723.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7194/ssa50729.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7034/ssa50734.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/328/ssa50736.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2687/ssa50744.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2360/ssa50746.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1869/ssa50749.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9827/ssa50750.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9661/ssa50752.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/3601/ssa50747.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/3553/ssa50762.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8813/ssa50765.jpg http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2152/ssa50748.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Oh, by the way, was anyone staying in Wembley Plaza hotel on the Saturday night? The fire alarm went off at about 9pm whilst we were in the bar and everyone had to go into the car park. It was here you could see the two classes of people: The clever people (including me and my lot): carried our pints into the car park and drank them out there The thick people: tried to down three-quarters of a pint whilst running through a panicking crowd The funniest part was that the hotel stairways were visible from the car park, glass windows and all that, and a bloke came running down in his Y-fronts. Everyone did the decent thing and pissed themselves laughing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Canny photees Pilko. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Best way to view those photos is setting your browser at 50% zoom, until I fix the sizes anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cms194 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Pilko Those photos are great. I'm in a couple of them and my young un is too. Can't wait to show him tonight when he gets in from school. Cheers fella. There's only one Johnny Dekka... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil K Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Excellent pics, them Credit where it's due. At work and had to ask the returning fans what the score was - told 2-0 was happy...closed the door of the cab - then had to reopen it and ask again - "Whitley 2-0 right ?" "Yes. We won 2-0" You see, supporting Newcastle, you get used to getting the WORST possible result from our vastly overpaid and uncaring players, it makes such a pleasant change. Been a very good season for non-league football in the NE... Durham City promoted Gateshead promoted Newcastle Blue Star promoted Blyth doing brilliantly in the cup Whitley Bay wiining the Vase Sadly let down by the grotesquely overpaid so-called SENIOR players of the so-called SENIOR clubs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 That was the first thing that was said on getting back in the car after the game. "Fuck me, it's so weird to be coming home from a final feeling this happy" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 So PM, Sned etc, how did you find it? And where were you sitting? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Just heard that Whitley are parading the cup at half time tonight! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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