TT No.87: Dean McClean: Northern League 'Double Header' - Saturday 13th October 2007;               Seaham Red Star v Tow Law Town and Washington v Northallerton Town (both Northern League Division 1) 

 

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Match 1 - Saturday 13th October 2007. Northern League Division One: Seaham Red Star v Tow Law Town; Res: 1-2; Att: 45(ish); Admission: £4; 30pp Programme: £1; FGIF Match Rating 5*
 
A 3-00pm kick-off for the England v Estonia EURO 2008 Qualifying fixture, encouraged a number of organised secretaries around the country to rearrange their club's kick-off times, so as not to clash with the "big match". One of these early kick-offs was Seaham Red Star and this enabled my fellow traveller and I to take in a welcome double-header in the Northern League.
 
Seaham Town Park is easily reached in around 2 1/2 hours, by virtue of A59/A61 over the hills to Thirsk and then North along the A19. Simply take the Seaham turn off, turn right at the top of the junction, head for the traffic lights at the cross-roads, where a right turn will bring the club's social club into view on the left hand-side, opposite The Mill PH.
 
On first reflection, from a distance mind, the ground didn't look over-inspiring, surrounded by a high green security fence reminding us that we are in the age of the mindless vandal and vandalism is unfortunately prevalent in this league. Anyway, never judge a book by it's cover and all that, for the ground is superb. The gateman accepts our £4 entrance fee (and £1 programme fee), whilst busily dispersing some of the local youths trying to gain a freebie posing as ball boys. However, nothing gets past this gateman!
 
You enter at the corner of the ground and the focal point is the peculiar looking changing facilities, painted an eye pleasing blue and red to really light up the venue, alongside the also very bright atmospheric stand. A small bank of terracing is provided behind the near goal and around the corner flag, finally petering out as it meets the main stand. The remainder is hard standing and uncovered save for a small, newish looking cover on the opposite touchline. The ground and pitch is in immaculate condition; it's plain to see that Seaham is a club in good hands, heading in the right direction. However, it all could have been so different only a few years ago; relegation to the second division, aided by a dwindling committee, the club took the reluctant step of tendering its resignation to the league at the end of the 2001/02 season. However, following positive responses from local people, a new committee was formed and the club withdrew its resignation. After a few seasons of consolidation, promotion was achieved last season and now the club is flourishing near the top od Division One.
 
The programme's appearance was shabby and lacked staples to hold it together. However, inside there were some interesting pieces, including: various stats about the club's players since its formation in 1973 and a decent match report on their 5-3 victory at Whitley Bay, after trailing 3-0.
 
As for the game. Much like the ground really, superb from start to finish. An end-to-end game refreshingly played by two teams who were only interested in playing football and good football too. Indeed, the visitors were very impressive as their slick counter attacking football proved too much for Red Star. Praise should also be given for the exemplary behaviour of the players and dissent toward the officials was at a premium, whilst there wasn't a bad tackle in the game.
 
A trip to Seaham comes highly recommended.
 

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Match 2 - Saturday 13th October 2007. Northern League One: Washington v Northallerton Town; Res: 1-0; att: 40; Admission: £4; 32pp programme: £1. FGIF Match Rating 2*
 
An easy ten minute drive up the A19 saw us arrive at Washington's Spout Lane home around 5 minutes before kick-off and after a swift entrance and visit to the tea bar, we were ready with pie and tea in hand just in time for the 3pm kick-off. Not a bad effort!
 
This ground falls into the 'scruffy with character' section of groundhoppers' ground evaluations. I would say it was a little of both and even a contrast in many way, as the wonderful social club was in complete contrast to the rest of the ground.
 
Entering on the halfway line, to the left portakabins provide what appears to be the boardroom. Covered seating is provided in the guise of two stands; opposite the entrance is larger of the two, where seating is provided by three rows of very colourful bucket seats. The other in the left hand corner from the entrance, is a small ornate structure with no more than ten bucket seats provided and this is the feature of the whole for me.
 
Two teams stuck in the mid table mud, served up a predictable mid-table affair, played on a pitch where the grass was maybe a little too thick. The only goal of the game came after 15 minutes and quite honestly the scoring shouldn't have finished there. If prizes were handed out for profligate finishing, then these two teams would win Gold and Silver. The visitors possibly the worst offenders even the contrived to miss a penalty on the stroke of half time. 

contributed on 14/10/07