MOST of the Backtrack column’s 100 football matches in 2013-14 have involved Ebac Northern League clubs or been on Northern League grounds. Highlights include: The first: Whitley Bay 1 Spennymoor Town 4 (August 3). Cleator Cup final; not a bad August day (for Whitley Bay).
Coldest: Consett 1 Newcastle United 2 (November 22). First match on the impressive new Belle View ground but just as perishing as the old one.
Warmest welcome: everywhere (once in the clubhouse) Best day out: Colne 1 South Shields 1 (and no matter that we left our coats on the train.) Best fightback: West Auckland 3 Darlington RA 3 (November 26) – but after being three down, RA lost on penalties.
Most exciting matches: Both at Crook Town. The 4-3 FA Vase win against North Shields on October 23 and the 3-2 league win over Guisborough on April 12.
Best pies: Hebburn Town for the Ernest Armstrong Cup final, May 5.
Best bargain: Bangladesh or Pakistan team scarves, £1 at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion (April 20).
Diego Maradona moment: Bishop Auckland’s winning goal at Ashington (November 31).
Highest scoring: Billingham Town 0 Newcastle Benfield 9 (January 7), Morpeth Town 9 Billingham Town 0 (February).
Poor Billy Town, it just wasn’t their season.
Lowest scoring: Chester-le- Street 0 West Allotment Celtic 0 (November 12). Goalless and soulless, alas.
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