I didn’t know if I was going to get to a game at all today. In the end I’ve got to two! This afternoon, after being at university, we decided to watch a bit of the women’s netball in the BUCS League. Sunderland 2nds were hosting Teesside 2nds but we only watched that for a few minutes before leaving. Then, about 20 minutes before kick-off, we decided to head to Silksworth to watch University of Sunderland Women 1sts vs University of Sheffield Women 2nds in the BUCS League. As our decision was a bit late, we missed the first ten minutes and two opening goals both in the favour of Sheffield! I wasn’t sure what the standard would be like. I knew the likes of Beth Hepple was studying at Sunderland University but I didn’t know if she and a couple of other good players played for the university. It turned out that they don’t. The game was played on a 3G pitch at Silksworth Sports Centre, a venue I’ve never seen a game of football at before. The game eventually finished 4-0 to Sheffield and we took a couple of notes to pass on to the lad who normally covers the women’s 1sts for SportsByte. Having done that game this afternoon (I didn’t do a write up as such, just a few words and pictures on Facebook) I wasn’t sure if I would go anywhere tonight but again at the last minute, I decided to go through to Seaham for what would be a cheap night. My bus pass means I get there for free and my Wearside League pass meant that I got in for free. I actually watched these two sides meet last season in the league at Seaham Town Park. I think that was a Friday night game. There wasn’t an awful lot of choice locally tonight. The only other game I would maybe have went to would have been Billingham Synthonia vs Ashington.

Match report:

Seaham Red Star Reserves and Gateshead Leam Rangers share the points in an 8 goal thriller.

Substitute Nathan Bailey proved to be Leam Rangers’ hero as his brace pulled the visitors back to a 4-4 score-line.

Michael Bulmer and Michael Cooke had given Seaham Red Star Reserves a comfortable two goal lead in the opening 20 minutes but Gordon Hutchinson soon pulled one back to reduce the deficit. David Paul regained Seaham’s two goal lead with a fine strike on 49 minutes only for Leam Rangers to pull one back again. Red Star went further ahead again and then Nathan Bailey stepped up to pull the score back to 4-4 in an action packed game.

Gateshead Leam Rangers started brightly but Seaham Red Star Reserves took the lead in only the ninth minute as a superb David Paul ball found Michael Bulmer and the former Sunderland Oddies man sent a confident header beyond Lee Smith and into the net.

Sharp attacking football could have seen Gateshead Leam Rangers pull level just before the quarter of an hour mark as James Wood played the ball across to Anthony Huddart and he helped it on further to Alan Mulholland. Mulholland shot but his effort could only find the side netting.

Another chance came the way of Leam Rangers seconds later but this time, Shay Adamson was equal to Gordon Hutchinson’s shot. And, the away side would be made to pay as Seaham Red Star Reserves extended their lead on 18 minutes as the ball was worked round to Michael Cooke and he burst through to fire under the ‘keeper and into the far corner.

However, this two goal lead lasted less than 100 seconds as Gateshead Leam Rangers hit back in fine style. Gordon Hutchinson collected the ball 25 yards from goal and his moving effort dipped over Shay Adamson to send ripples in the net and Leam Rangers had hope.

Just before the half hour mark, Michael Bulmer fired into the side netting for the home side and at this point, it was Seaham who were looking brighter. David Paul also tried his luck but the man who normally appears for the first team could only fire an effort which was blocked.

Stephen Williams fired not too far wide for the away side eight minutes before half-time as they looked to pull level and they came even closer just before half-time when a free-kick from just in front of the dugouts was flicked towards goal. With Shay Adamson beaten, the ball bounced back off the crossbar and Seaham cleared to go into the break with a one goal lead.

Half-time: Seaham Red Star Reserves 2-1 Gateshead Leam Rangers

Seaham’s two goal lead was regained only four minutes into the second period as David Paul collected the ball 25 yards from goal and the former Easington Colliery man rocketed an effort high into the net giving the ‘keeper no chance.

Paul could have had another soon after but curled narrowly wide from 20 yards A few changes then came before Gateshead Leam Rangers pulled another back following a quiet period. Sixty-six minutes were on the clock when an original effort could only be parried by Shay Adamson and who I think was James Wood was quickest to react to prod home the rebound.

Despite there being goals in the second half, there wasn’t an awful lot of other action. Both sides seemed to be cancelling each other out a lot and chances were limited. But, generally, the chances that did come were very good chances and led to goals.

Just shy of twenty minutes from time, Michael Cooke looked to score Seaham’s fourth but his effort failed to find the target but Seaham wouldn’t be left to rue on this missed chance as they did manage to make it 4-2 with just shy of ten minutes remaining. An original shot was parried by Lee Smith but the rebound was fired home as the Gateshead defence seemed to sleep.

Many would have thought that it was game over at this point but Nathan Bailey, who came on in the 68th minute for the visitors, was still to have his saw. A deep ball across goal found Bailey in the 83rd minute and his well-taken volley gave Shay Adamson no chance making it game on.

And, two minutes from time, Gateshead Leam Rangers pulled level. It was similar to their third goal as another ball across goal (this time lower) once again found Nathan Bailey who was able to prod home to spark scenes of joy in the away dugout.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the final exchanges but it wasn’t to be and the points were shared in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Full-time: Seaham Red Star Reserves 4-4 Gateshead Leam Rangers

Next up for me is Easington Colliery vs Jarrow Roofing tomorrow night.

Seaham Red Star Reserves Team: Adamson, Wood, Cook, Ball, Short, Johnson (c), Temple, Connolly, Paul, Bulmer, Cooke

Seaham Red Star Reserves Subs: Appleby, Hepple, Phoenix, Baker, Thompson

Gateshead Leam Rangers Team: Smith, Baddams, Miller, Brewis, Langston (c), Williams, Mulholland, Edwards, Huddart, Hutchinson, Wood

Gateshead Leam Rangers Subs: Allan, Bailey, Moore, Willis, Robson

Admission: £3 Adults, £1 Concessions

Programme: No

Attendance: 30

Chips: £1

Can of Pepsi: 60p

Referee: Stephen Beresford