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From Sussex to The Wear, Sunderland (2026)

15/05/2026

Hebburn Women v Boldon Ladies in the league tonight.

With two games to go Hebburn are 7/10 in the Durham County Women's Premier Divison, with the potential to come 6th. They lost 5-2 away to second placed Gateshead Leam Rangers at the weekend, but had won three in a row prior to that.

This is first placed Boldon's last league match of the season and a win tonight would see them take the title. Boldon are on a run of five straight league victories, including a vital win over Leam Rangers, but they surprisingly were hammered 10-2 in the divisional cup final at the weekend by Durham Cestria Reserves. Earlier in the season Boldon had a better time in the County Cup, winning the competition.

Boldon have already beaten Hebburn three times this season, a 4-0 league win I attended back in September and in both cups.

🗓 Wednesday 13th May
🏆 Women's Premier Divison
🏟 Hebburn Sports Ground

Hebburn Town 2 - 7 Boldon CA

⚽️⚽️⚽️ Emmonds 1', 32', 85'
⚽️⚽️ Allison 8', 23'
⚽️ Clarke 22'
⚽️ Scammel 46'
⚽️ Pedersen 52'
⚽️ Ingram 90'
🟥 Gibson 75'

Hebburn did provide some resistance, equalising each of Boldon's first two goals in a cracking first quarter of the match, but ultimately Boldon's top of the table class took hold and they took their deserved place as league champions. A wonderful season for Boldon, champions, cup finalists and cup winners and, I believe, a promotion into the North East Regional Women's Football League proper.

Decent crowd tonight, must have been getting on for three figures, with lots of kids from Boldon there for the party, with even a mini pitch invasion at the end.

I'm not sure there had even been a minute played when Boldon took the lead, Lola Emmonds curling a corner straight in despite a Hebburn defender's attempts to clear.
It only took seven minutes or so for Hebburn to equalise, a lovely through ball by Kate Jackson left Sophie Allison clean through for a nice finish.

Next Boldon captain Katie Scammell, a former Hebburn player, and then Hebburn's captain Makenzie Gibson traded free kicks that hit the crossbar, before Boldon's Daisy Clarke restored their lead.
Pretty much immediately another perfect pass forward by Jackson released Shannon Bunce on the wing and her cross was knocked down by either Hebburn forward Freya Peel or a Boldon defender for Allison to score again.

It was a pretty breath taking first half of the half, it settled down a bit from then on, with Boldon going back in front with a second goal for Emmonds. Hebburn did get an effort on target in response through Jackson but it was a comfortable save for Boldon's Lily Hodgkinson.

Right at the start of the second half Scammell tried again with a free kick, this time successfully.

It was hard for Hebburn to get back into the game now, and a further Boldon goal came from Gabi Pedersen shortly after.

With about a quarter of a hour to go a Boldon corner led to a shot at goal that was blocked on the line by Gibson, unfortunately with her hand, leading to a straight red and a penalty, but Boldon missed the kick, the ball going over.
It was a bit of a surprise that Boldon's Connie Raine, a superb goal scorer who could definitely play at a higher level, didn't score tonight, but in my notes it was her shot that was handled. Nonetheless it was another top class display by Raine, always threatening and a great work rate.

With ten players it was even more all hands to the pump for Hebburn, with keeper Kya Stewart having a strong second half of solid saves and Bunce and Peel being forced to act as defenders, doing a good job of blocking several Boldon attacks.

They couldn't keep everything out though, and another Emmonds corner with five to go came back out to her for her to curl it into the top corner delightfully for her hat trick.

Right at the death Boldon added a final flourish, Abi Ingram blasting home inside the box.

15/05/2026

Sunderland v Man United in the league today, the last round of, increasingly rare it feels, 3pm Saturday games for the Premier League.

Back to the scene of the crime for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, the first time back here since being mauled 5-0 by Nottingham Forest two weeks ago. Since then they've restored some credibility by drawing 1-1 away at Wolves, down to ten men for much of the match with defender Dan Ballard the latest victim of football's deeply unpopular accidental hair touch is a straight red and three game ban rule. With only three games left, Ballard's season is over.

Man United are going great guns under interim manager Michael Carrick and confirmed Champion's League qualification with a 3-2 win over rivals Liverpool last time out, and this week midfielder Bruno Fernandes won the football writer's player of the season award.

🗓 Saturday 9th May 2026 🌧
🏆 Premier League
🏟 Stadium of Light
👨‍👦‍👦 47,233

Sunderland 0 - 0 Manchester United

All Sunderland this afternoon, United not managing a shot on target until injury time, but once more a lack of cutting edge stopped Sunderland achieving the right result.
With Sunderland safe from relegation and increasingly unlikely to trouble the European spots, and United officially confirmed in the Champion's League spots there was definitely a vibe of end season friendly about the match. If it hadn't have been raining all day in Sunderland it would have been quite a pleasant summer watch.

Sunderland nearly scored twice in the opening ten minutes, winger Chemsdine Talbi checking in and curling a shot just wide, and then, only a couple of minutes later, midfielder Noah Sadiki was suddenly clean through, but his blasted shot was well saved by United keeper Senne Lammens.

About ten minutes later United avoided a penalty when a handball by former Sunderland loan hero Amad Diallo survived a VAR check. To the Sunderland fans fury this incident would be completely absent from the BBC's Match of the Day's footage later.

The best action of the second half saw Geertrudia hit the post with Lammens stranded.

Finally for United Matheus Cunha registered an effort on target in stoppage time, I thought he was going to score, but he fired straight at keeper Robin Roefs. There was even time left for Cunha to rather ignomoniously get booked for diving.

Something that Match of the Day did pick up on that I, and I think most, missed was a potential elbow on Fernandes by substitute Angulo. The referee was buying into the end season friendly vibe and letting a lot flow, Fernandes and Sunderland's captain Granit Xhaka both spending much of the second half in deep conversation with the ref. I was amazed Fernandes didn't get booked for several fouls and persistent complaining, and I thought Xhaka was pushing it.

03/05/2026

South Shields v Buxton today, in the National League North play offs.

With two games to go in the regular campaign Shields were neck and neck with Flyde on 94 points and were in a straight shoot out for the only automatic promotion spot. Sadly a home draw with much lower in the table Bedford shifted the momentuym to Flyde and then one of the hardest futures of the season, away to third placed Kidderminster, did for Shields, leaving them in the play offs, despite a magnificent 95 points, 99 goals and only seven defeats.

Buxton finished 5th with two big wins, and have already despatched Scarborough in the play offs, winning 4-2 on Tuesday.

When I moved to the North East, in January 2023, Shields were already quite high profile, playing at Mariner's Park, Kevin Phillips was the manager, they'd just been on the BBC in the FA Cup, but even then them now being two games, again, from the Conference (National League) is incredible. In the context that I've learned being up here that's it's not that long since they were struggling in the Northern League divisions what they've achieved is miraculous.

🗓 Saturday May 2nd 2026
🏆National League North (play offs)
🏟 Mariner's Park
👨‍👦‍👦 2,329

South Shields 1 - 0 Buxton

⚽️ Blackett 40' (pen)

Shields win 1-0 with a Paul Blackett goal, his 30th and their 100th in the league, and will now play Kidderminster in the final, because, of course, what other outcome could there possibly have been?

A tight, cagey first half came to life with about five minutes to go when left winger Sean McGuirk was brought down in the box, lead striker Paul Blackett smashing home the penalty.
A couple of minutes later Sonny Finch found himself through, but his effort went just wide.

Prior to that the best action was a chance for McGuirk when a cross from Finch was absolutely leathered across the box which he couldn't direct into the goal.

Neither side could really get forward in the second half until Shields struggled to clear with about fifteen to go and Buxton's Bardell struck the post.

That was a huge let off, and with three minutes to go there was an almighty scare when a long, looping Buxton cross was missed by Shields' keeper Watson and was knocked into the net. It was a clear foul on Watson, but for a brief nano second it looked like the ref hadn't given it and the goal would stand.

Nine minutes injury time brought a couple of Buxton chances, Olly Bainbridge, on loan from Sunderland made a particularly important block, but finally the whistle went.

Half time for promotion then, the exertions of a long season and the pressure of today clearly evident, McGuirk ran himself into the ground and Blackett and Finch were substituted. Hopefully all will be right for the final.

02/05/2026

South Shields Women v Birtley Town Ladies in the semi-final of the NERWFL League Cup tonight, at the Ford Hub in Sunderland. With the majority of women's football taking place on a Sunday I always enjoy a rare chance to catch a midweek game.

South Shields play in the Premier division of the NERWFL, where, with one game to go, they will finish sixth. They won 5-1 over Osset United at the weekend.
In this competition they beat Sunderland West End in the previous round.

Birtley are one division below, but might be playing Shields more often next season as they are unbeaten in the league and top of the table. Incredibly enough they haven't sealed promotion yet as the next team, the i2i International Academy (?), have only lost once, naturally enough to Birtley only last week, and are just one point behind with one round of fixtures left. Birtley won 5-2 away to Berwick Rangers at the weekend.
In this competition Birtley knocked out Alnwick last round.

🗓 Thursday 30th April
🏆 NERWFL League Cup
🏟 Ford Hub
👨‍👦‍👦

South Shields 2 - 1 Birtley Town

⚽️ Raffel 19', 87'
⚽️ Havery 78'

A hard fought narrow win for Shields, in a very even game that looked like penalties would have to settle it before a late winner.

The first main action of the game was the opening goal, Shields' right winger, Killeen, who had a fine half, delivered a delightful lay off to Julie Raffel, who fired home from the edge of the box.

The two sides traded further good chances to score, with Birtley's keeper Erin Cockburn making a good save, before just on half time Birtley nearly equalised after a free kick took a deflection.

Early in the second half Shields looked bound to score but Cockburn, who had a strong, solid game, was able to block Madison Bouggess' shot.

With about twenty to go Birtley were given a huge lifeline with a penalty award, but Shields keeper Anna Yeakey produced a fine save.

Birtley weren't to be denied for too much longer though, their number 9 Nichole Havery finished strongly into the far corner about ten minutes later.

That goal did re-energise Shields and the last ten minutes got quite exciting, Raffel missed a great chance which might have been costly, Birtley headed over an even better chance from close range soon after.
With only three minutes to go, another good Shields chance was thwarted by a cracking defensive tackle from Birtley, but Raffel bullet headed the subsequent corner straight into the back of the net.

02/05/2026

Sunderland Women v Crystal Palace in the league today. There's some mad scheduling with women's football in England where a FA Cup weekend goes into an extended international break, leaving most teams not playing for at least three weeks. As such, Sunderland's last match was a narrow defeat to Birmingham back on April 1st, leaving them 8th in the table.

It's all to play for for Crystal Palace who are third in the table, good enough for a promotion play off with whoever comes bottom of the top flight, and capable of still finishing first or second and getting automatic promotion, or being caught by Newcastle and dropping to fourth.

There's only two games to go in this divison, so this is Sunderland's last home game of the season.

🗓 Sunday 26th April 2026
🏆 Women's Super League Two
🏟 Stadium of Light
👨‍👦‍👦 1,786

Sunderland 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

⚽️ Blanchard 20'
⚽️ Weerden 31'
⚽️ Watson 48'

An underwhelming end to the home campaign for Sunderland, but another goal at the main stadium for Katy Watson, who was presented with the young player of the year award by the official supporters club after the match, and a second half win after a pretty miserable first half.

Sunderland got a huge letoff barely five minutes in when Palace's Kirsty Howat missed a glorious chance, but it only took another fifteen minutes for them to open the scoring, a good Sunderland block unfortunately landing perfectly for Annabel Blanchard to score.

About ten minutes later Palace's Abbie Larkin saw two shots in quick succession not go in, so the next time she passed to Ashleigh Weerden to score from close range.

Sunderland hadn't had a shot yet, but almost straight away in the second half Katie Kitching set Watson away to score with a delightful finish.

Truth be told, nothing much else happened for the rest of the match, though Larkin will be frustrated she didn't score, she forced another save from Sunderland's former Palace keeper Demi Lambourne and was lively all game.

It turns out this was an absolutely huge result for Palace, league leaders Birmingham inexplicably got smashed 3-0 at home to Ipswich, now leaders Charlton and Birmingham play each next week, they can't both win, so Palace will pip one or both of them with a win next round at home to already relegated Porstmouth and gain promotion.

01/05/2026

Hebburn v Rushall today in the league. Absolutely gigantic game today, it's the last day of the season in the 7th tier and Hebburn are top through goal difference over Hednesford, so a Hebburn win, barring a seven goal shift from Hednesford, will see them champions and take the only automatic promotion spot.
For a few months now, even with Hebburn sometimes top, sometimes Hednesford, there was a feeling it was advantage FC United of Manchester for promotion with their games in hand. But the old adage of games in hand doesn't mean points in hand has come true and FC United have only picked up one point from their last two matches, leaving themselves out of contention.
Even if Hebburn do slip up today they will go again in the play offs, in what has been a remarkable campaign. They are currently on a four game winning run, winning at Bamber Bridge last time out.

Today's opponents, Rushall Olympic, are 15/21 with nothing to play for. They are on a good three game winning league run, but the big story for them is that they won the Staffordshire Senior Cup this month, with the final at Stoke's Bet365 Stadium.

With South Shields involved in a similar last day promotion shout out today and Jarrow in the Northern League play offs, it's a huge day for South Tyneside non league football.

🗓 Saturday 25th April 2026
🏆 Northern Premier League Premier Divison
🏟 Hebburn Sports Ground
👨‍👦‍👦 3,000

Hebburn Town 2 - 0 Rushall Olympic

⚽️ Turner 30'
⚽️ Gomes 49'

A fantastic, perfect day for Hebburn, a straightforward win removing any nerves, leaving a party to take place in the glorious weather. And, in the end, Hednesford could only draw, just to make the day even sweeter.

Two years ago I saw Hebburn lose a chance to confirm promotion match in their last home game of the season, they went up anyway, so there was a bit of nerves on my part, and probably on any of the staff or players involved back then. I've seen captain Aidan Heywood open the scoring the last two occasions I've gone to Hebburn and he had a great chance on ten minutes, blazing over from the edge of the box.

Hebburn had already had a few corners, when, right on the half hour mark, they took the lead from one, defender Michael Turner heading home directly.

At half time word must have been filtering through that Hednesford had taken the lead in their match but were now 3-1 down, and within a few minutes of the second half Joao Gomes struck home inside the box to make it two.

The result now in no danger and with Rushall going through the motions safely mid table ish and cup champions, the rest of the match was just about enjoying the moment. Hebburn flirted with a third goal that would have been a nice bit of icing on the cake but it wasn't to be and wasn't needed.

01/05/2026

Sunderland v Nottingham Forest in the league tonight, Friday night live on Sky under the lights for Sunderland this evening.

Two consecutive wins for Sunderland, over Newcastle and Tottenham, either side of a long international break, all of a sudden had Sunderland only a handful of points outside European spots, but coming out the wrong side of a seven goal thriller away to Aston Villa last time out has dented that somewhat and left the club 11th in the table.
The circumstances of the Villa game, coming back from 3-1 down to equalise and then almost taking the lead in injury time before ultimately losing should give some confidence to the players though. Only good teams can score three goals away from home.

Nottingham Forest are 16th and caught in an almighty relegation battle with Tottenham and West Ham. They took a huge stride to safety last time out by thumping Burnley 4-1.

🗓 Friday 24th April 2026
🏆 Premier League
🏟 Stadium of Light
👨‍👦‍👦 47,047

Sunderland 0 - 5 Nottingham Forest

⚽️ Hume (og) 17'
⚽️ Wood 31'
⚽️ Gibbs-White 34'
⚽️ Jesus 37'
⚽️ Anderson 90'+5'

Oh dear.

From out of nowhere Sunderland were utterly, ruthlessly destroyed by a side with actually something to play for. Sunderland had even started fairly well and, the second goal aside, didn't even do anything that bad, just didn't do anything at all as the goals rained in.

Sunderland looked good in the opening quarter of hour, but in hindsight the usual passing the ball around the box and putting in crosses that no one gets onto are a recurring feature that demonstrates a real lack of a cutting edge up front.

Forest took the lead when a header from a cross hit the back of defender Trai Hume and deflected in. I could have sworn I'd heard a whistle indicating an offence took place and therefore no goal, but the Sunderland players trooped off looking miserable to the halfway line.

Shortly after, fresh from conceding four goals at Villa, Robin Roefs gave the ball away playing the pass it around at the back style and Forest gleefully took the present.

If that was explainable bad, during Forest's next two goals, scored in quick succession, Sunderland didnt do anythjng wrong, they just did nothing as Forest waltzed through. Three goals conceded in barely six minutes was throwing up shades of Germany's remarkable dismantling of Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-final.

It didn't take much but Sunderland were better in the second half and largely dominated possession but Forest were equal to any attempts to create a chance, and if ever Sunderland did look like they'd got through they were penalised by the ref for a slight foul, to everyone's frustration.

On around the hour mark Sunderland did have the ball in the net through Dan Ballard but the Forest keeper Mat Seels chased after the ref for half the pitch to complain and it went to Var. To the extreme annoyance of Sunderland's fans the initial check, for offside, was cleared, but then a further check for a foul on Sels by Nordi Mukiele was upheld.
For me, it probably was a foul on Sels, but this seemed a misapplication of the rules, how was there a clear and obvious error twice?

Up until the last few minutes of regulation time I still thought Sunderland might score, but became clear at some point it was never going to happen. Myself and my company were heading for the exits when by all accounts Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson added a fifth in injury time, I didn't see it and will probably never watch the 'highlights' back.

25/04/2026

Sunderland u21 v Blackburn u21 in the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup tonight, at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland's u21 lost their most recent match, in the regular u21 league competition, but despite that setback they've just about snuck a top 16 finish to make the play off set up. In this competition Sunderland have progressed to this round with knockout stage victories over Nottingham Forest and Watford.

Blackburn will finish the league stage far away from play off contention, but they will have enjoyed beating local rivals Burnley in their most recent match. In this competition they knocked out Ipswich and Reading.

No real first team ringers for Sunderland tonight, but we do have midfielder Milan Aleksic featuring and another u21 run out for Abdullahi, still to feature for the first team.

🗓 Wednesday 15th April 2026
🏆 Premier League Cup
🏟 Stadium of Light
👨‍👦‍👦

Sunderland 4 - 2 Blackburn Rovers

⚽️ Boggan 2'
⚽️⚽️ Whittaker 11', 74'
⚽️ Ja Jones 19'
⚽️ Powell 24'
⚽️ H Jones 35'

A cracking, very enjoyable result for a strong Sunderland side, who progress to the final of this competition for the first time.

It was actually Blackburn who struck first, only a few minutes in, but it only took about ten minutes for Sunderland to equalise, a wonderful pass from Harrison Jones set free Jack Whittaker who slotted home from the edge of the box.

There was a bit of first team class on the pitch with Aleksic present and he delivered a wonderful cross for Sunderland to take the lead, volleyed in by Jaydon Jones.

Sunderland's keeper Joe Cowan wasn't having a great game and he got caught out for a Blackburn equaliser, spilling the ball back into play after a deflection for an easy finish for Brandon Powell.

Another ten minutes later Sunderland goal was still to come, Harrison Jones finishing after Aleksic saw a shot saved.

After five goals in the opening 37 minutes it was inevitable the second half would be a bit of a comedown, and so it proved, with Sunderland finally adding to the score when a brilliant cross by substitute Tom Proctor dissected the Blackburn defence was turned into an empty net by Whittaker.

16/04/2026

Scotland Women v Belgium in a World Cup qualification match, at Hibs' Easter Road stadium in Edinburgh. This is my first time seeing Scotland Women as the home team and my first time at Easter Road.

Scotland have made a necessary, but fantastic, start to their World Cup campaign, beating Luxembourg convincingly twice, but the serious business starts now.

Belgium have similarly started with two strong wins over Israel.

🗓 Tuesday 14th April 2026
🏆 Women's World Cup Qualifying
🏟 Easter Road
👨‍👦‍👦4,552

Scotland 1 - 1 Belgium

⚽️ Kees 15'
⚽️ McGovern 90'+5

Just when it looked like they'd blown it Scotland salvaged a draw with an equaliser deep in stoppage time. In truth they had the chances to win, but Belgium will be deeply frustrated to not have seen out the win.

After a bright start by Scotland it was Belgium that took the lead, Sari Kees firing home after Scotland failed to deal with a corner.

Scotland's superstars, Real Madrid's Caroline Weir and the trophy laden Erin Cuthbert of Chelsea, had busy, creative games, but just lacked something. Shortly after the Belgium goal Cuthbert had a great chance but made a terrible hash of her shot.

Another Scotland chance before half time saw Kathleen McGovern miss the target with a close range header.

It took a while for Scotland to get going in the second half, but a few personnel changes and a tactical shift led to a renewed purpose as the closing stages beckoned.
Weir fashioned herself a good sight of goal, but her shot was high.
Just before the 90' Cuthbert delivered a delightful cross but defender Jenna Clark could only head straight at the Belgium keeper.

I thought that was _the_ chance, but the announcement of seven minutes stoppage time gave the game a boost and finally substitute Lauren Davidson, a very postive change for Scotland, slid the ball across the box for McGovern to knock into the net.

I thought the momentum might lead to a Scotland winner but it was Belgium who managed to get a corner for a bit of worry safely dealt with. Not sure how well Scotland will be able to go again at the weekend in Belgium, Cuthbert in particular ran herself into the ground, but feels huge that Scotland didn't lose tonight.

16/04/2026

Sunderland v Tottenham today in the league. After a remarkable three week break the Premier League is back, with Sunderland's most recent result being the incredible 2-1 win at St James Park over Newcastle. You'd have gotten long odds on six points off Newcastle at the start of the season.

Bournemouth's win over Arsenal yesterday means Sunderland drop a place to 12th, but it's even worse for Spurs, West Ham demolishing Wolves on Friday night means they have dropped to 18th, officially in the relegation zone for the first time this season.
The big news out of Spurs during the long break was rhe end of caretaker Igor Tudor's brief, disastrous, reign, replaced with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi. With Mr Tudor no longer in England, attending to his family following the death of his father, it's probably the best for all parties, as he leaves with just one Premier League point gained under his tenure from five games.

🗓 Sunday 12th April
🏆 Premier League
🏟 Stadium of Light
👨‍👦‍👦47, 010

Sunderland 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur

⚽️ Mukiele 61'

After three straight defeats at home for Sunderland at the previously impregnable Stadium of Light they get back to winning ways, just about edging Spurs with a bit of good fortune, a goal generously credited to Nordi Mukiele after a huge deflection.

Spurs showed why they are struggling, utterly bereft of confidence they created plenty of opportunities, Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs posted a good six saves, but never looked like scoring. Every substitution creating a sense of 'didnt even realise he was playing' as the likes of Connor Gallacher and Archie Gray left having contributed little.

Some big team news was the inclusion of Spurs' second choice goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the starting line up, just a few weeks after he became mega famous for a disastrous performance in the Champion's League away to Atletico Madrid when Tudor hauled him off after less than twenty minutes with Spurs three goals down.
Kinsky was there to be tested then and Granit Xhaka, the ex Arsenal player desperate for a goal in front of the Spurs fans, nearly caught him out from a corner.

It briefly looked like Spurs had a huge chance to take the lead when the referee awarded them a penalty but a var review actually unusually overturned the decision. Apart from that Dominic Solanke had a good chance just before half time to no reward.

Sunderland took the lead in fortuitous style when a heavily deflected shot from Mukiele left Kinsky stranded.

The only subsequent event of note was an unfortunate situation where Sunderland's Brian Brobbey and Spurs' Christian Romero chased a loose ball and Brobbey nudged Romero into the on rushing Kinsky. The aftermath being Romero out injured for the rest of the season and Brobbey receiving unacceptable racist abuse from Argentina fans on social media.

16/04/2026

Sunderland West End v FC Hartlepool today in the league. Sadly enough, this is Sunderland West End's last ever men's first team match, as the side will disband at the end of the season.

West End lost the Sunderland derby 4-2 at home to Sunderland RCA on Easter Monday. They are 15th and will end up the campaign there or 14th.

FC Hartlepool are 5th, inside the play offs, and are battling away with Park View for that last spot. FC have a game in hand which they will hope will give them the edge. FC have won their last three games, beating Newcastle University away a few days ago.

🗓 Saturday 11th April 2026
🏆 Northern League Divison Two
🏟 Ford Hub
👨‍👦‍👦 100

Sunderland West End 1 - 3 FC Hartlepool

⚽️ Newall 40'
⚽️ Close 71'
⚽️ Robinson 86'
⚽️ McGee 90'

A remarkable home goal aside, a disappointing way to sign off for West End, the game was quite even for long spells but ultimately FC Hartlepool were deserving winners and could have added more to the scoreline.

West End looked good in the first half, with defenders Luke McCabe and captain Brad Forster, one of the Northern League players of the season for me, looking solid and club legend Zouhair Benali always looking dangerous.

As half time approached Lincoln Newall cleverly fired home from the edge of the box to give FC the lead.

Early in the half FC missed a great chance, but with about twenty to go Scott Close added a second.

West End got their lovely way to sign off moment when Mark Robinson lashed home an incredible 30 yarder into the far top corner.

It would have been nice for that to be the last goal at a West End match, but Mikey McGee scored another goal for FC just after West End somehow survived a great FC chance so it was due.

I feel like I'm part of the problem this season for West End, last season I actually saw them more than big Sunderland but I haven't kept it up this season. Since December it's felt every big Sunderland game has been on tv so even if they are away I'm down the pub, and with the u21 team and the women's team I feel football satisfied most of the time.
The dreadful winter weather doesn't affect West End too much on the plastic pitch, but it did sap my going out energy, and even the Six Nations in the rugby kept me at home or down the pub a bit more this year.

Ultimately it's disappointing that even a miniscule percentage of the 46,000 watching big Sunderland for the home matches don't automatically go for another Sunderland team as back up - even one percent would be 460 people - but the average Sunderland fan doesn't seem to transfer support that much, be that for the u21 side, the women's side, other Sunderland teams or even other sports.
Having said, with the potential support spread across Sunderland RCA, Boldon, Seaham and the North East non league sides that do have big followings like South Shields and Gateshead, maybe there's just not enough room.

From Sussex to The Wear

15/05/2026

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