Another average season from Sassco, blighted by inconsistency. Unlike previous seasons, this campaign saw some heavy defeats against teams, transformed by handsome wins or, at least, massive improvements in results and performances over the same teams and superior teams a few weeks later.

The pre-season programme was full again; totalling nine games against teams who were in stronger leagues. The team were donning a new jersey and had secured another new sponsor in iKobo, a finance company based in Atlanta, Georgia and also Florida. The players added were returns for Wayne Greenwell, with Neil Richardson coming in for pre-season games (due to a competitive ban) as well as Paul McConville as a non-regular player. Gareth Stoker came in for a centre half berth. Andy Swinhoe also made a return as a regular player along with Mickey Pearson. And Stephen Lewis also returned after warming Redhouse FC’s bench. A unique feature seems to be past Sassco players wanting to return. On the opposite end, Andy Farrer, Andy Reay with Gav Brown were all gone. Also missing was Mark Middlemiss, albeit for a few returns. Jamie Wilson was also absent apart from a solitary appearance.

So, unlike last pre-season, the team was reasonably set for the marathon of games on artificial turfs in and around the region. A heavy hammering off Shildon was one of the notable ones. But battling performances against Rutherford AFC, Redhouse FC and Sunderland South were augmented with excellent wins over Washington Colliery, Whitley Bay Deaf and Forest Hall FC.

The most devastating defeat was actually the 11-a-side team losing to a Sassco B team, cobbled together with ex-players and player from the Sassco leagues. The poor A v B defeat helped in our first game, as confidence was questioned. Sassco blitzed Park View 8-0 away from home. However, after this, we had a poor game at Hylton CW with a depleted team and a 3-1 defeat. The big disaster came away to Sporting Redhouse with a heavy defeat, despite leading. This was mainly due to sending offs, substitutions and injuries, as the team only had nine fit players for the majority of the second half.

After this it was a record win against Sportsmans Arms (a team later removed from the League), with Steve Stubbs making a return. And then the best so far in the Cup against Blue Bell (3-1). Overconfidence nearly led to a home defeat against Traveller’s, but the team 2-0 down and 3-2 down clawed it back to 3-3 (with Lewis scoring two comeback goals).

By now, the team was suffering it’s typical share of player losses. Lewis became disillusioned again and vanished from view. Gareth Stoker was banned for several games. Critically, Dave Graham was missing more and more, and we didn’t have a ready placed replacement.

Then, in November, it was the logistically successful Malta Trip. Three games in three days fulfilled one of the many ambitions I had for Sassco. The results were three expected defeats, but overall the tour was so successful that a Portugal Tour is to take place in October 2009. Dave Gourlay was appointed as Team Coach for the tour and the system seemed to work, so he was appointed on a full-time basis, with myself being solely in charge of bringing together the best 14 players for Gourlay to work with.

Coming back from Malta, the team was caught cold in an away game to Seaham as Cresswell was poached by Hylton Castle (finally). It was then that I called on Jimmy Raeper to return. Craig Charlton also heard about it and requested to join. Charlie transferred from Redhouse and Jimmy came in for the final games in 2008. However, they joined at a poor time. Player shortages starting to occur and we played several important games with what I would call a second string side, or the bare eleven. I started making appearances which is a clear sign of something going wrong.

The Seaham defeat was followed by a heavy Cup defeat to Mountain Daisy in appalling, freezing weather. Pearson also left the team as a regular player.

A mid season game took place against Ovi’s disorganised NaSA team. An easy  win with Raeper and Charlton featuring. This led to a full team easily defeating travellers 4-2 in a Cup Competition. This was followed by a lucky 1-1 draw at home to Cambridge Hotel and a 6-3 win over Times Inn, which saw Anthony Pearson grab a hat-trick in front of the cameras. The games against Sportman’s, Traveller’s and Times Inn were captured on video (available in the Media section) as well as the complete Malta Tour. Back to reality, a good January, which is traditionally poor for Sassco, was followed by a disastrous February.

It was after Christmas when the real problems started occurring. Cresswell leaving left a bit of a void. Also, Stephen Lewis, who re-joined with such fanfare went missing – mainly down to work issues, but probably due to the fact that he wasn’t given the red carpet treatment and seemed to be jealous of Dave Gourlay for some apparent reason.

With the poor weather, several games were called off, thus creating a backlog.

Two heavy defeat in February with depleted sides (1-5 v Hyltion and 1-8 v Colonel Prior – both in the Cup), saw Craig Charlton leave the team (again), but Brian Marley and Andy Farrer making emergency appearances, along with Neil Richardson, due to his ban being lifted. An important win, 3-1 away to Cambridge (which saw Swinhoe playing his last game) revitalised the side, but another setback saw Travellers defeat Sassco, 5-2 away, with Steve Conlin making his first appearance; sourced by Jimmy. A poor squad saw Sassco lose at home to  the Seaham Times Inn, and it was obvious changes needed to be made.

The form was upturned and the best came with 4-1 home win over Usworth, with Kyle Robinson shocking the footballing world by making a return with Sassco. He was sold on the fake club vision by McDermont and this seemed to settle the squad. By this time, Dave Graham’s appearances were limited, Tim failed to show for several games and Stoker was banned again. In the Usworth game Rikki Kennedy made his debut, and Dave Simpson saved his first ever penalty with the scored tied at 1-1. However, the most important result in terms of a watershed moment came after a chaotic midweek 10-0 defeat to Hylton. This was after a superb 2-2 draw v runaway leaders, Sporting (when 2-0 down). This heavy defeat resulted in Dave Gourlay stepping down as Team Coach. I returned as Interim coach (with a 3-2 away win over Usworth) before making a controversial appointment of Neil Richardson as Team Coach (initially until the end of the season). Marc McDermont was also ejected from the team, but apologised and made a return.

However, for Richardson; his first task was to mould the weakest possible Sassco team on a Wednesday evening against The Fort, a team unbeaten in several games. Greenwell, due to the heavy midweek defeat and complaints about Neil Richardson refused to play for him and demanded a change (despite being aware of the change the night before). But Sangha backed his Coach and Greenwell was removed from the team five minutes before kick off. The ten men made a brave stand to gain a 2-2 draw against The Fort. Greenwell was told to apologise to Neil Richardson (his Team Coach) and the team, if he wanted to come back. The Sassco management always stand their ground and the majority of the players had a “stick two fingers up at Greenwell” attitude and were pleased he had left.

After this, things went on the up. Both McConville and Pearson made more regular appearances and we weren’t short for the rest of the season. A win over Country Park Inn was followed by a best performance away to the Fort (6-4). However, it all collapsed when a full and overconfident team were defeated 4-3 by the bottom team and everyone turned on the stubborn Nelly in the changing rooms. I then made the decision to take control of the team again. Nelly obviously wanted better players so he was hampered with the squad chosen for him. However, I didn’t want to change things, so decided that it’s best I pick the squad and the team.

We defeated Park View 3-0, with a wonder goal from Dave Graham, who spent the rest of the half asking people if they wanted his autograph. Then a midweek performance v Hylton CW was vastly improved despite a first half 2-0 deficit. Sassco dominated the second half but failed to score despite at least a dozen good chances.

The final game saw a reasonably full complement easily beat Country Park Inn, with a staggering four goals from Jimmy. The end of season enjoyment was somewhat lowered by Brian Watson’s announcement that he had to stand down as Team Sec. due to other commitments.

Marc McDermont headed the goal scoring list with twelve goals, but Jimmy was close behind him. Gareth Stoker was voted Player of the Season with 8 votes, which is 38%. Dave Gourlay, winner every year since 2005, got 5 votes, which is 24%.

Other things of note were that we had our Charter Standard award renewed. Sponsorship was also renewed and a new away kit was obtained. The website is still gaining many visitors and players seem to want to play for Sassco. A prime example being David “Bunta” Murton, who returns on a temporary two month contract before he vanishes again.

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Fusion defeat WWC FC.

Downhill Impact 6 Sassco.co.uk 5.
Firstly, Logan launches one of the longest throws ever, considering that most humans can spit further than he can throw a ball. The ball bounced several times before Sassco’s French striker, Eric Foch, deceived the opposing goalkeeper to see the ball directly fly into the goal. It was 1-0, but not long after, Sassco were 3-1 down with Impact completely dominating and taking Sassco to pieces. Sangha even managed to muscle in between to Impact players to poke the ball home towards Logan, who missed it and conceded an own goal.

More goals went in each end, with Callum Howe and Jimmy Raeper scoring a few for Impact and Muers some for Sassco. It was a veteran’s team for Sassco with Dan Carson and Michael Garrett dusting off the cobwebs to don a Sassco jersey.

Redhouse Fusion 4 WWC FC 3.
Both teams were depleted and had to bring in “stand-in” players. An open game saw Fusion secure the winner late in the game past Tommy Bell’s impression of a fat Ian Hesford for WWC FC.

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A good run out and a good performance.

A humid day and a good victory with a full Sassco team despite missing quite a few of the regular players.

Macca, Marky, Dixon and Kyle were all out. Murton’s two month contract had expired early, but we had 14 including myself. Liam “Woody” Wooton also turned up and finally signed on the dotted line after months of wrangling over wages, etc.

Other news was that Stoker was presented with his player of the season award, which I then broke in half. Macca’s leading goalscorer award was also available, but since he wasn’t there, we gave it to Jimmy instead.

Thomas Wilson were an unknown quantity to us. They finished in the lower half of their division, so I expected a decent result from ourselves. The game kicked off a few minutes late and despite Sassco controlling the midfield, the better chances went to Thomas Wilson. Eventually, we broke the early deadlock with Jimmy scoring two goals. Thomas Wilson hit back almost immediately and the game looked as if it could be tight. However, despite the setback, Sassco immediately struck back with birthday boy, Dave Graham, seeing his chance saved. From the resulting corner he was fouled and Gourlay put away the penalty, much to the disappointment of the aforementioned Action Man Graham. Dave G proceeded to celebrate by himself.

3-1 in the first half. Jimmy wanted to come off and was replaced by Woody. In the second half, changes were made. As mentioned, Woody came on just before the half, but Wayne Ramsay and Dan Campbell replaced McConville and Pearson. The second half was more open, but Sassco seemed to come out on top. A goal was scored by Wooton and Titch got two. Jimmy also got his hat-trick when he came back on late in the game. A typical second half when we were racing ahead. Overconfidence left gaps at the back, and with the changes it was a bit disjointed. This helped Thomas Wilson score their second half goal, but we have Simma to thank for some excellent saves which definitely stopped Thomas Wilson getting more.

A good win. The Thomas Wilson team were well organised, but this was their first game in, while for ourselves, we’re used to the artificial pitch as well as having the majority of the players in action during the six-a-side.

I screwed up with the price for the pitch. The dude told me £28 a couple of weeks ago and my arse dropped when it was revealed to be £57. Some scrimping and scraping meant that Sandhill’s won’t be smashing my windows this weekend as the full price was paid.

Cheers to Ken Street for officiating and to the Thomas Wilson lads for a good, clean game.

Sandhill Centre
Pre-season friendly
Sassco.co.uk 7 Dave “Jimmy” Raeper 3, Steve Conlin 2, Liam Wooton, Dave Gourlay (pen)
Thomas Wilson FC 2
Sassco.co.uk: David Simpson, Simon Mulvaney, Steve Farquhar, Gareth Stoker, Anth Pearson (Dan Campbell), Dave Gourlay, Paul McConville (Wayne Ramsay), Neil Richardson, Dave Graham, Dave Raeper (Liam Wooton), Steve Conlin.

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Pre-season in full swing as Sassco let a 1-0 lead slip.

The so called regular cup game against Redhouse FC didn’t materialise during the season, so we managed to get it added on to the end of the season before all the posts came down.

We weren’t struggling, but were down on numbers. Steve Farquhar came in for a debut and so did the legendary David Murton. It’s good to have Murton on board for a good two months, before the inevitable vanishing act. Murton came into the side in 2005, but claims he’s more “mature” now.

I any case, both him and Kyle were well pumped up for the major event. A flurry of text messages from them first thing in the morning meant that I brought in a new rule; Kyle and Murton are not allowed to sleep together before a game. Before kick off, Murton claimed “3-1” and “all hell to break loose.”

My calming act failed and when Jimmy skyed the ball well over the bar, I expected a set of missed chances. Still, moments later, Jimmy looped the ball over Carlos Middlemiss and Sassco were leading 1-0. Catfish was doing his mind tricks again, saying that they had a bare eleven. They had around fourteen players there. If that’s short Catfish, you should see Sassco. Eleven players for us is too many sometimes.

So, in at half time leading 1-0. Simma did have a good few saves to make and despite Redhouse meekly capitulating their division title, they were still very strong. Even Charlie made an appearance for them after his brief affair with Sassco.

Just as the video camera batter was fading, the second half saw a disputed penalty dispatched by the ever dependable John Hunt. Our heads seemed to go down immediately. The decision was probably at fault, but Simma did make a good deal of saves to keep the score down prior to that. Redhouse then took the lead when a player was unmarked on the left hand side. At 2-1 the game levelled out. We had some decent opportunities in the box, but shots were high or wide or way too limp.

David Murton had a glorious chance to write his name in the history books, but his shot was palmed out by Carlos and the game was gone for Sassco. Right at the death, a corner kick was given and Simma raced up the length of the field and inevitably all the way back as the final whistle went.

Redhouse keep the trophy this season, but we’ll try and win it during the season or at the end again if we don’t meet. The way Catfish is going – this will be the only trophy he’ll be winning for a while.

The video footage of the first half and part of the second half will be uploaded shortly.

Community North Sports Complex
AGUK Challenge Cup
Sassco.co.uk 1 Dave “Jimmy” Raeper
Redhouse FC 2
Sassco.co.uk: David Simpson, Simon Mulvaney, Chris Dixon, Mark Middlemiss, Dave Gourlay, Neil Richardson, Kyle Robinson, Dave Murton, Dave Raeper, Steve Farquhar, Marc McDermont

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An amazing four goals for Jimmy Raeper.

I read a mini-riot act prior to the game, threatening those with outstanding subs to pay up or be benched. Also, the threat was there to help with the nets or else be benched. Now the wise arses would turnaround and say that if eleven are there; how can anyone be benched. Well, it would be the following week. If all eleven told me to f**k off, then next week there would be a different eleven.

The final game of the season saw us playing at home to Country Park Inn. The self titled, CP Inn, aka Marc Evans, after the last game claimed that he couldn’t wait to play us again. A bit of a boast – yes, but CP Inn had secured some impressive results recently (including a 2-2 draw against Hylton CW). It seemed that everyone wanted to play us after Anth Pearson, standing in goal for the absent Dave Simpson, let in a true howler within a minute. It wasn’t even a shot. The ball rolled towards him, through him and into the back of the net. The sidelines were packed with Redhouse FC players, including Tommy Bell, who was making notes, after their game was cancelled. Not much on his paper then…

I was very tempted to haul him off, as he looked shaken after it and put Muers in goal. However, once we got to grips with the game, he didn’t put a foot (or hand) wrong after this.

However, this lifted CP Inn, who started the stronger. We knew we were up against it and all the players showed their true spirit and came back strongly. Jimmy broke clear after around fifteen minutes and poked the ball past the ‘keeper before he got to it. Then after this, Jimmy beat several players before slotting it in. CP Inn had a great chance to score just before the half time whistle.

Second half saw Paul McConville, who had an unproductive spell in attack, replaced by Titch. Paul actually got himself a bad bruising and cut on his leg which looked like a shark bite. During the opening minutes of the second half, the heavens opened and the game was played in slick conditions. Even with the downpour, we were all parched and it wasn’t helped by the fact that my flask smashed into a million pieces so I was gagging for my half time tea.

The second half was played in a similar pattern to the end of the first half. We were reasonably comfortable, but were still only one goal ahead of CP Inn. Nelly then set Jimmy up with an excellent low cross for his hat-trick. 3-1 and the game looked secure. After this, it turned a little nasty. It was a bit bruising throughout. Both Kyle Robinson and Dave Graham had their work cut out. Dave Graham didn’t get a wonder goal, like he did last week, not for the want of trying. But I do remember him spending the rest of the evening asking the other players if they still wanted his autograph. Despite this, both him and Kyle were strong in the middle.

Finally, a superb curled effort saw Jimmy score his fourth and final goal. A truly astonishing performance. CP Inn then got one back with ten minutes remaining, when Stoker swung that leg of his and gave Marc Evans a chance to score from the spot. Stoker vented his hatred onto Marc Evans as they were having a verbal spat throughout the game and Nelly got himself a yellow card when he grabbed one of their players after a bad challenge. This was coming after he threatened Emu the previous week. Both Emu and Stoker were gagging for a goal and both bombed forward to try and get it. Both fired blanks though.

Everyone have a relaxing summer off and we’ll freshen ourselves and regroup for our first pre-season game in 48 hours. Macca was whinging that he didn’t fancy playing a Non-league team. I told him it was lucky we hadn’t secured a League team.

I’ll upload my season report soon and will ask all the players to vote for their Player of the Season.

Finally, it was Brian Watson’s last game, before he quits as Team Secretary. Our thanks go out to him for all the hard work done over the last season and a half.

Community North Sports Complex
League Division 1
Sassco.co.uk 4 Dave “Jimmy” Raeper 4
Country Park Inn 2
Sassco.co.uk: Anth Pearson, Gareth Stoker, Simon Mulvaney (Chris Dixon), Mark Muers*, Marc McDermont, Paul McConville (Steve Conlin), Dave Gourlay, Neil Richardson, Kyle Robinson, Dave Graham, Dave Raeper*

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A good second half is thwarted by missed chances.

I was the first one there. I arrive long before kick off at around 4:50pm and instead of twiddling with my dipstick, I got the ladder out and put both nets up (one with the help of Daz Snowball).

By the time they were up; still no players. Was it going to be one of those Wednesdays again? Not likely. Everyone showed (even Stoker, Graham, Kyle and Gourlay). I needed a strong side out against Hylton CW and I got it. However, Jimmy was missing for the opening half, so I elected for a 4-5-1 formation. Macca was on up front on his own.

The game was blank for a god twenty minutes until Hylton CW struck from the spot after Stoker swung his leg. Not too long after, Tim (Yes, Tiger Tim) was deceived by the full back and they were 2-0 up. We did have chances. Macca had a glorious one created by Nelly, then Nelly himself was tackled in the box, complaining that no one gave him the shout (what do you expect in a packed box? Turn and shot in one movement like I always do…).

A lot of whinnying and complaining at half time. A lot of it directed at me for removing Paul McConville (who actually took a bit of a knock and was on the sidelines for a few minutes in the first half) and putting Jimmy on in a 4-4-2 formation. Me being my usual self told all the bitches to stick it and fuck off if they didn’t like it. The signs weren’t too good. Players were blaming the tactics, the length of the grass, the fact that some blue shirts were long sleeve and some were short. The point I’m trying to get a across is that these idiots will blame anything else apart from the real reason why we were 2-0 down. We didn’t get tight, we didn’t get tight at them and we didn’t snap at ankles. And we didn’t take what limited chances we had in the opening half.

Second half proved I was right. I actually had Nelly on the right hand side, but Macca wanted to switch, after he missed a sitter in the first half. He actually jumped like Mr. Burns when Nelly played in a perfect cross.

We went at Hylton CW and created numerous chances. Nelly, clean through, saw his chance blocked. Macca had two or three chances. Muers and Dave Graham headed direct to the ‘keeper. At the back we weren’t even troubled at all. We simply marked and stuck tight the way we always should. Tim, who had a bit of a howler in the first was excellent in the second. Stoker eventually pushed up with Macca back to try and grab a goal, but it was not to be.

A great second half, but it shows the difference and why Hylton CW are up there. They take their chances.

As a footnote, a few players didn’t pay their subs and are in some arrears now. If effort isn’t made to reduce it, then it’s likely they will be on the bench until back in the black. Emu’s not getting much left over to get a pizza these days.

Community North Sports Complex
League Division 1
Hylton CW 2
Sassco.co.uk 0
Sassco.co.uk: Dave Simpson, Gareth Stoker, Simon Mulvaney, Tim Gillespie, Mark Muers*, Paul McConville (David Raeper), Dave Gourlay, Neil Richardson, Kyle Robinson, Dave Graham

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