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However, pre-season was below average. An opening game was played on the excellent artificial turf at Gateshead - it was a 4-4 draw against Whitley Bay, a game where we hurriedly raced into a 3-1 lead just before half time. Craig Charlton scored a hat-trick After this, it was a narrow 3-2 win over Washington Colliery on the much less forgiving turf at Sandhills. This game saw "guest" appearances from Danny Hall and Gash Brazier, but this was worrying because it was quite clear we couldn't get a regular side out. Then it was back to Shildon AFC, where we received our usual lesson, but did see Jon Wardle get a goal to reduce the deficit to 2-1 in the opening half. A narrow defeat against Blackhall was followed by a poor loss against Lambton. Things were looking foreboding. Players were missing and we had to keep calling on "guest stars". A thumping win over Monkwearmouth CFC was probably the highlight and this seemed to contain a full side with Dave Graham (hand picked by Mark Middlemiss), who made his debut against Blackhall, filling the centre midfield role. Ed Morrison, our youngest player, also came in for this game. 
But this all came crashing down with an opening day disaster. By this time, Stephen Lewis, Mickey Donkin, Craig Charlton and Anthony Yates had all left the team. Subsequently, Dean Matthews left and David Staples retired. A new team was slowly forming combined with some veterans from 2005. Brian Marley also became a non-regular. Jon Wardle, luckily not playing for his morning team on that day, came in as the threadbare squad was easily outgunned by one of the Division favourites, Fulwell Blue Bell in the opener. Ironically, we were to play them again, away, a week later. I feared the worst and duly adopted an overly defensive 4-5-1 system with Andy Swinhoe, who was now confirmed as a regular after his bad injury back in the Summer of 2006 limiting his appearances, foraging alone in attack and Tim Gillespie as the holding ultra-defensive midfielder. Three debuts appeared in the game, with Jason Amour making a return from the 2005 season. Also, Anth Pearson did the same. Jamie Wilson, a recommendation from Washington Colliery's Mickey Walker, was roped in as centre half and Simon Mulvaney, sourced from Mark Middlemiss, came into midfield (both debuts). Being up against it, Sassco sprung into life. A goalless first half was contrasted by Swinhoe striking two breakway goals to put Sassco 2-0 up. Ed Morrison then missed two glaring chances, as tiredness set in and Fulwell fired in two late goals.
The 2-2 draw was a huge boost to the team. Fulwell didn't really drop any more all season until they'd been crowned as Division Champions. The confidence was good for Sassco and, more importantly, confidence in the system. By now, the squad was getting stronger and stronger. The addition of a contingent from Whitley Bay Deaf FC, Andy Reay and Andrew Farrer (both recommended by Whitley Bay's Darren O'Dowd) saw the team, back to 4-4-2, lose against Mountain Daisy, but nearly grabbing an equaliser as Dixon fired in a late blocked shot from a corner. After this we spent ninety minutes blitzing Usworth 8-2. A full squad saw Dave Graham making his first competitive start (after two friendlies). Andy Reay was firing in the goals, while Swinhoe was calmly added more to his tally from the flanks. This was hampered by an injury to Jason Amour who failed to return to the side.
Pressure was mounting and a big game against Premier Town End Farm was in the reckoning. In the event, prior to the game, we all relaxed and realised that we should be here to enjoy events and not get worked up by them. Also, due to lack of numbers, Richard Purvis and the ageing Alan Douglas came in from Whitley Bay Deaf FC for their solitary appearances. Gav Brown also came in as a left winger. The calmer atmosphere saw our first ever win against a Premier team (albeit a weakened one). The 4-1 win over Town End saw another upturn in performances. We narrowly lost 2-1 to a strong Blue House side (conceding a late penalty) with Chris Hodgson making his only appearance and Gav Kershaw back in goal. And then a remarkable 5-5 draw away to Mountain Daisy - a game in which we gave away a 3-1 lead, but seeing Mark Middlemiss have a superb game and David Simpson, playing outfield, scoring an overhead kick without leaving the floor. It was actually a depleted team at the time. Gav Kershaw made a second appearance, while Mickey Walker returned to the fold. We then suffered a 2-1 setback away to a strong Hylton CW team, with another late penalty and also a memorable solitary appearance by John Amouzoudi (and not for footballing reasons).
Christmas came to early for us. The peak was shattered with a poor away Cup day against Hall Farm. A depleted team saw Leigh Wilcox making his only appearance. After this, we laboured during a 1-0 win against Cambridge, with Gourlay's late strike saving us. This was followed by humiliation again at Usworth in a tight pitch with an error strewn 4-1 defeat. An expected win over Cavalier was a struggle. 2-1 down at half time, before Cresswell liberated the side with two goals in an eventual 4-2 turnaround. Despite this, the squad was settled at a total of 15 players (including me). From time to time, we called on Anth Pearson when the numbers were short and actually pulling out a squad each week wasn't really a problem, but consistency was. All the deaf lads had departed by now, but everyone appreciated the crucial role they played in steadying the side when we were lacking in numbers.
It was the same for the final day of the Season. A League tie against Hylton CW. I really didn't expect anything and was happy to have eleven players there. We struggled badly and there were ringers galore in our side and Hylton CW's. A win would have put us into fourth and on reflection, I was disappointed we didn't get it. Again, we played some superb football, went 1-0 up with a Dave Gourlay strike. Conceded an easy one in the second, went further behind, before levelling out and seeing Cresswell fire in an excellent equaliser. 
Redhouse FC 2 Sassco.co.uk 0.
Pearson continues with his assessment, "Basically we sat too deep at the back for most of the game. Their second goal proved this. For most of the entire game we didn't track runners, which is normally a problem. We allowed their centre midfielders and number 12 (a striker who dropped off) far too much space. Gav Kershaw actually made a few good saves and couldn't really do anything about the goals." Emu was also lavishing praise on Gav as well by saying he was calling for the ball, coming for it at the right time and easily gathering in any loose corners. Not surprising with Emu at the heart of your defence. But we're really only saying all this about Gav Kershaw because we'd be desperate for him to turn up again for another good kicking in the near future. 
Pitch was a tad bit waterlogged. Colin Holmes, Secretary of the Cambridge was aware of this last night, but none of us could get in touch with the referee. An inspection before the game announced the obvious. We had a little kick around on the pitch itself, but as you can see in the picture, we haven't really done the grass any favours for Cambridge's next game. 
We kicked off with a full twelve with Pearson slotting in at centre half, Ed at right wing. Marky Mark was also making his first show since the away defeat to Seaham The George. He had a very good game as public transport seems to be doing the world of good for him. Pearson was in for a difficult task as he hadn't played for four weeks and also that he'd be getting Emu out of the shit during the game (like Jamie has been doing in the last few weeks). Emu had decided to talk to me again after I ditched the poor sap midweek in order to win the Cup on the 6-a-side (yes another plug for me). 
Blue House 5 Sassco.co.uk 1.
We were suffering player shortages. Dixon peaked with his two goals last week and quickly announced that he's never going to play for Sassco again. He said he will be taking early retirement (that is - until his return next week). Gourlay was out on the lash in some foreign climes (Edinburgh I think). Josh has now become a non-regular due to work and Andy Farrer is still injured. Cresswell was the same, but luckily decided to get himself on in the second half. So, prior to all this, with all the shortages, In came Nigel Kirkham, who initially was due to play back in the Summer. Ideally, I was going to add him to the line up with about fifteen or twenty minutes to go as he would be listening to my words of wisdom on our rapidly deteriorating bench while sipping tea. But Gav Brown did a dirty drop out on the day and he was hastily drafted in to start. We also had Dave Graham and Mark Middlemiss travelling up from a morning 11-a-side. On top of that, the wind was blowing heavily, so it wasn't really the best of preparations.
The second then. During the first, Cressy announced he wanted to get on. I assumed he was still heavily injured, but he wanted on. That combined with the wind in our favour turned the game. I'm never one to blame the conditions, but you could see the change in the second as Seaham really struggled with the conditions, just like we did in the first. Cressy, playing up front, managed to evade some scything tackles and fired in a goal at a tight angle from the right hand side. We pressured for most of the half, but slowly we were running out of steam. Both Dave Graham and Mark Middlemiss were now slowing down. Marky had a glazed look in his eyes for the last twenty. However, good work from Dave Graham led to the second goal. Again, it was the right hand side where Davey evaded one tackle only to be put out of stride by another. He kept going, but the referee belatedly blew the whistle for the earlier challenge and Cressy dispatched the equaliser from the spot. By now, Cressy was causing no ends of problems for Seaham, but unfortunately, everyone else's energy seemed to ebb away. 
Hall Farm 4 Sassco.co.uk 2.
Once we got there, got changed and were making their way on the pitch, up jogs the referee wearing some pit boots claiming it was unplayable and hopping around waiting for his money. He didn't seem interested in anything else. Now, this was after Keith had come into the changing room saying it was fine. I told Mr. Dobson that Keith said it was fine. "I don't care what he says..." was all he could stump up with. All he was interested in was his £10. Yes! Fucking £10. No wonder he abandoned it. Had he got nothing, he would have played it. Put it this way, he heard about the bad weather and all-in-all expected it to be off. He probably arranged some shopping or a trip to the match - it'd be great to find out if anyone knows or spotted him. So when he saw the pitch was okay, despite a bit of minor snow at the far end, he came up with an idea to abandon it. Yet, wearing hiking boots, how can he check the pitch? Anyone knows once you run on it, it get's soft. I wear hiking boots during the winter and all the pitches feel very firm - BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HIKING BOOTS DO. Wear your normal soft ground boots, then they press in.So his checking of the pitch wasn't done in the correct manner.
All weather coat.
Hylton CW 2 Sassco.co.uk 1.
1-1 at the break.
The
game today was similar to Park View and Oddfellows. We went 2-0
down. The first one was a laughable ball over the top on the right
hand side. Out defence decided to call offside (I've never asked
them to do this), and the player finished well. The second was a
bit of a joke. We had enough back, but one player (can't remember
who it was) collided with Simma, after he'd made a save and the
opposing player slotted into an empty net.
Leeholme
and Coundon 11 Sassco.co.uk 1.
Mulvaney
turned up late and I came off after about ten or fifteen minutes
for him. They scored more in the first half and we only managed
one from a dead ball situation (in spectacular fashion). The only
other highlight was Jamie failing to fire into an empty net. At
half time, I told them all not to be frustrated and we are a limited
team. The only disappointment in this was that we just didn't pressurise
our esteemed opponents. Leeholme and Coundon apparently won it last
season, but two strange things. Firstly, there's nothing on the
internet about them winning it and I was surprised they were in
the draw at this early stage.
I'm
looking to get some warm, waterproof tops for the team. These should
be worn when arriving for every game.
Ideally I want the team to purchase their own black, three stripe,
Adidas bottoms as well. For me, purchasing bottoms is more inconvenient
as the company I get the tops from tends to do one size only.
5-0
at half time and no complaints as we commenced the second half in
a game we'd already won. We did give them a bit too much time when
they had the ball in their own area, which will haunt us against
the stronger sides, but we were 5-0 up and took our foot off the
pedal. The second half was played at a slower pace, but Swinhoe,
one minute after requesting to come off, was shown an opening and
raced through to make it 6-0. Andy Reay then secured his fourth
with ease. At 7-0, we completely switched off and allowed them to
score two quick goals. They nearly made it three, but this seemed
to switch the team back on as Dave Gourlay fired the eighth and
final goal into the roof of the net. We could have had more. Andy
Reay was in devastating form and should have scored at least two
more. 
The
second was altogether different. Just before the end of the first,
Simon Mulvaney grabbed a goal back and Ed nearly fired one in, so
it was 3-1 at the start of the second. Dixon was on for Ed and moments
later Swinhoe and Wilson (injured) were off for two debutantes,
Andy Reay and Andrew Farrer. Both came from the Whitley Bay Deaf
team and both had great games. The second half was a turnaround.
They went 4-1 up, but then Andy Reay clawed it back to 4-2. Great
stuff, but when Dave Gourlay fired in a superb free-kick (his second
attempt), we were really in it. Oddfellows were hanging on in the
end. A series of corner kicks led to clearances and mass panic,
but it was too late. We realised who we were playing too late and
built up confidence too late.
So
to conclude what is likely to be our last pre-season game. I can't
really complain. It was great performance. In particular, Swinhoe
played well in attack and Dave Gourlay was clinical. Dave Graham
would be my choice for Man-of-the-match as he won everything in
the middle. He and Mark M worked well as a combination. Pearson
also played exceptionally well at the back, as did Simma. Ed Morrison
was a useful addition, but he tends to go to SAFC games so the number
of appearances might be limited. Just to update on the squad, both
Danny Hodgson and Anthony Yates are working, but they could be available
one week on and off. Only time will tell.
Frames
just before the season started. There were no issues in the administration
side of things and, most importantly, the squad was full each week
with regular players and this even occurred after a set of defeats
and a season which I'd class as below average. I decided at the
start to make sure that we had a set of 14 "Regular" players.
Regular as in being there each week with the only excuses allowed
for absence being injury or some other important event. A "Non-regular"
is someone who was signed on, but wasn't there each week due to
work, Sunderland games, etc. They were generally called on when
some of the original 13 (or 14) were unavailable. I also tended
to have an unwritten rule when someone was missing the week before,
then they'd start on the bench the following week, unless we'd had
a defeat the week before. I didn't really want to change a winning
side, but I made sure this wasn't set in stone as one thing I didn’t
want to do was box myself into a corner in regards to rules. Looking
back, this plan did actually tend encourage players to be there
every week and we had some games with identical teams to the week
before - which is a first. The other slight change was the substitute’s
policy. If we had three players on the sidelines, they would make
an appearance for at least just under a half. Some players were
subbed more than others, but that was mainly due to the fact that
there tended to be two or more players competent in the same position.
I also tried to avoid subbing the same player twice in two games.
So if someone was subbed or came on as a sub in a game, the following
week, he was likely to play the whole game, but sometimes this was
unavoidable. I've always said that the lads on the sidelines aren't
there in case someone gets injured. The system seems to work as
we've tended to have a full complement of players for every game.
The only major let down this season was away to the Dolphin in the
cup game when both Jimmy and Lewis dropped the team in it on the
day. Ironically, a similar thing happened in our last League game
of the season, but some of the non-regulars were called up and we
ended up having a full side with two substitutes. That speaks volumes
of the squad we had this season.
That's
not to say that we didn't lose players during the starting weeks.
Jase Amour before the first competitive game. Greenwell after the
first friendly. Tommy Wilko after the first few games. Andy Swinhoe
injured in his first friendly. Jimmy Raeper vanished after a few
games. Tommy Bell rejoined the team, was then working, then transferred
(again). They all sort of vanished for a while, but they were immediately
replaced and some returned briefly for appearances now and then.
Danny Hodgson came back into the side with renewed vigour, while
new starters included Mickey Donkin, Brian Marley, Stephen Lewis,
Dave “Simma” Simpson and Anthony Yates being ever present all season.
In goal, Watty, our number one since 2002, had to retire a few games
into the season and was replaced. Firstly by Muers, then Gav Kershaw,
who came in for one game, before we settled on Simma, who performed
tremendously and was exceptionally tall and agile (something we
haven't had in our 'keepers). One of the finds of the season was
Mark Middlemiss who came in for a "trial" against Redby
U18. This was unusual as most if not all tended to come from the
6-a-side. However, he added a huge amount of ball winning abilities
in the middle which we've notoriously lacked for all our existence
and adequately compensated for Tommy 
Wilko's
absence. Odds on favourite as Player of the Season during the start,
but eventual failure to release the ball later in the season negated
the good work in winning the ball. Nevertheless, a huge asset to
the side. Anthony Yates also came in and moved from a nondescript
full back position in his other team's to cause havoc on the wings
and up front being our leading scorer. Unfortunately, the goals
dried up at the end of the season and he nearly got caught by Dave
Gourlay with 18 goals to Yatesy’s 19. Chances were created, but
lack of composure let him down. Donkin was a useful regular addition,
but lack of goals in attack, which was his favoured position, saw
him farmed out wide on most later occasions as well as full back.
He was subbed more times than he really wanted to be. Brian Marley
and Stephen Lewis formed left back and centre half. Bri performed
superbly and was a strong contender for Player of the Season and
came a close second. Lewis started brightly but slowly transformed
into the Stubba of the team and struggled to take criticism on most
occasions. Defensively though, he was quite strong.
For all the regulars, Dixon, Gourlay, Muers, Tim and Staples - they
all did well and formed the back bone of the side. Dixon, still
unsure of his position, played in several and did well in all. Gourlay
and Stapes weighed in with some very important goals and both probably
had their best season to date in a Sassco shirt. Gourlay deserved
his Player of the Season Award as he seemed to be the only consistent
performer, with several goals, especially during the poor games
near the end of the season. Muers was rock solid at centre half
and was awarded Man-of-the-Match on several occasions by the opposing
team. Tim was a unsung success. Rarely losing the ball and quietly
performing well in full back, wing or centre mid position when needed.
Luckily, I wasn't needed much this season. After shockingly appearing
in most games last season, I had bit part appearances and rare full
appearances (two full appearances; one against Dolphin and one in
our final "friendly game" against Redhouse FC, as well
as a good second half at Board Inn). 
The standard we were (and are) in is our natural standard. The ability
of individuals on the team itself is excellent, but on occasions
we simply lacked the aggression needed against some teams. Notably
our encounters against Premier sides as well as the second game
against Blue Bell and both encounters against Sportsman’s. We reached
our peak against Cambridge 7-2 in February and never seemed to regain
it. A game which saw Yatesy rampage through the opposition. A series
of defeats when 2-0 up (eventual 3-2 losses) were spaced out with
less than competent wins over Tavistock and Lord Seaham. We failed
miserably in all the cup competitions despite putting a decent effort
in. The League form slipped dramatically. At one stage, we were
top, but a disastrous New Year run killed off any lingering promotions
hopes. A lot of the later defeats were down to silly mistakes at
the back and the inability to kill teams off with the amount of
good chances we had. A lot of pressure was on Yates as the only
scorer, but eventually this eased off with Gourlay and Staples firing
in some good goals later in the season. Passing was sometimes poor.
We failed to release the ball when we could and tended to do it
when we had to. Training over the summer months will be individualised.
Last summer it was more of a get together, but this time, we know
what the problems are and will have the opportunity to iron them
out. The final set of games were reasonably positive. Narrow losses
to Jolly Potter (home and away) and then a chaotic game against
Redhouse FC for the final game. It was essentially a glorified friendly,
but we decided to play against them for a Cup, known as the AGUK
Cup. We'll do this each time we face off against each other.
Everything was transparent on the website as well. The reports were
straight to the point and there was always something of interest
happening to keep everyone involved. The website is genuinely massive.
Each month it's getting bigger and bigger. Despite the lack of success,
Sassco, as a team are considerably well known in the region. From
the days of having a handful of people on the site each day, it’s
expanded into something massive. I constantly bang on about it,
but the site gets 10,000 visitors each month. This is unique in
our level of football and probably really isn't fully appreciated
by most of the team. There’s always something interesting to read
on the site about the team, so it keeps the attention going. 
We
were immediately on the back foot. The side was balanced, but at
the back it was slightly disjointed. Midfield and forwards tended
to struggle. They played a few good passes but seemed to run out
of ideas. Redhouse were awarded an early penalty which was harsh
on ourselves. A minor handball which sometimes wouldn't be given
was. John Hunt easily hammered the penalty in. Soon after, they
went ahead again. It was 3-0 or 4-0 at the break, which also included
another penalty for Brian Marley shirt pulling (or is that lifting).
A few changes. Dean went in defence, Stapes was off for Yates and
Bri pulled out to the left wing. Can't remember much about the second
half. Bit of a blur really. I do remember a "consolation"
goal, from Mickey Donkin of all people, who usually only scores
against the duffers. They scored another, but Muers, who'd been
firing blanks all season and had just celebrated passing his test,
scored an easy looping goal. Great stuff. Man of the Match was Lewis
who had a great game moving from defence to midfield in the second.
Plans are in place for a one week Sassco 11-a-side tour to Cyprus. The flights will be from Newcastle to Larnaca departing November 3rd 2007 & returning November 10th 2007 and the full price is as follows 
