Northern League

Division 1

Wednesday 11th October 2023

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.46

Boro Rangers 0 Heaton Stannington 0, attendance 222

@ Phoenix Park

Trinity Catholic College

Lacy Road

Middlesbrough

TS4 3JW

£7 Admission

No Programme.

At least with tonight’s game being on a 3G pitch I had no worries about the game going ahead. Providing it didn’t snow! Tonight was the first midweek game played under the floodlights here and only the second match since Boro Rangers moved in here at the end of last month. Tonight’s official crowd was only 39 fewer than for the ground opener, with ‘hopper numbers into double figures. Although the ground is in a cage, it does have spectator access along one side and behind each end from the corner to the far side of the 18 yard box. The dugouts are on the inaccessible far side. There are two seated kit stands, both with 50 seats, bookending a section of seven steps of terracing. Viewing from the seats looked awful though, as they are set back from the touchline and people standing along the rail would give very poor sight lines of the game. Another case of ticking boxes, but not really fit for purpose! Catering and toilets (just one cubicle each for men/women) are outside the cage, but inside the pay gate. If you wanted anything during the match you’d be out of view of the pitch, not that that worries some people! The changing rooms are in a building behind the far goal end, about 20-30 yards beyond the fencing. You certainly don’t get the feeling of being at a Step 5 game.

Boro Rangers are newly promoted, having won Division 1 last season and came into this sitting in 11th place in the league table, whilst visitors Heaton Stannington were 5th. The two were very evenly matched and it came as little surprise that it failed to produce a goal, although it wasn’t as bad as you’d expect from a 0-0. The visitors did have a first half effort ruled out for offside, after a shot had redounded off the post and Boro had a looping shot come back off the crossbar early in the second half, but there were no real clear cut chances at either end.

So, after the farce of last night, that just leaves me with Washington to complete this league now……good luck will certainly be required to get a game in there! As I said yesterday, they might be one I just can’t be bothered with!