
The Lads nipped down the A19 for some fresh air and fun, and brought back all three points from what the press used to describe as a pulsating affair. A hesitant opening spell saw us fall behind, but once we'd got ahead we had the Smoggies properly rattled and should probably have got the third then - but had to wait for a dramatic OG on 87 minutes for the winner, which sparked joyous scenes which were out-joyoused after the whistle. Marvelous, just marvelous.
As it's the last day of the transfer window, we were pleased to see Watson's move to Brighton collapse, and Ba nip over the channel to Dunkirk, and Danns arrive from Liverpool..but Isidor's signature on a permanent move was the best news.
After a swift snifter in Spennymoor, and a pleasant half hour in a layby on the A19, we hove into Smoggieland with an hour to spare. After 20-plus years of trying I managed to drop my empty plastic pint pot into one in the ground - an omen, we decided, and the team news arrived.
Patterson
Hume O'Nien Mepham Cirkin
Neil (c) Bellingham
Roberts Rigg Le Fee
Isodor
..and a bench of Moore, Poveda, Samed, Mayenda, Aleksic, Ballard, Jones, Hjelde, and Ogunsuyi
In our smart-as-owt white away kit we kicked off and attacked the goal to the right of our corner as the home fans to our left took part in a display of carrier bags almost as cringeworthy as their drummer. A Roberts cross was taken comfortably, then the home side put us under a fair bit of pressure, with Patto saving well, but we were playing it far too tight coming out of defence. The Boro weren't giving us any time on the ball, but I have to say I thought Roberts was fouled when dispossessed in their half. A quick through ball as we momentarily paused for the free to be awarded, and it was planted beyond Patto.
Damn and blast, but still 80 minutes to get our act together and salvage something. We immediately won a corner which was cleared, but were beginning to play football and take the game to Boro. A rugby tackle on Rigg with 20 gone was followed by a bad Boro miss, and another a few minutes later. We took a deep breath and got our heads down to produce a decent move which had us screaming at Neil to shoot from the inside right spot - so he did, cleverly (honest) blasting his effort to clip a defender and fly to the keeper's left and in. Magic, Cap'n Dan. Let's just call it a sprinkling of lucky Parmo dust.
Right, Lads. Just under an hour to win it, but let's not do owt daft in trying. Roberts, who'd been the subject of some rough attention that the ref was happy to ignore, hit a bouncer that was comfortably saved, and we played out the rest of the half much more positively. A single added minute brought the break and an appearance by Julio. Level, which was sort of satisfactory considering we'd not really been in it until Dan's goal.
No changes for the second half (did you honestly expect any?) and five minutes in we broke up a Boro attack for Enzo to fire a marvelous through ball down the middle and Issy was after it like a whippet. Straight towards the keeper, who he calmly sat down, rounded, and plonked it into the net from a yard out. Wahey! Nearly a whole second half to either hold out or extend the lead, depending on your thinking.
We came close a couple of minutes later after yet another brilliant flick down the line from Enzo, but were caught just offside. The home side were really looking there for the taking at this stage, but then a poor pass by Luke gave Jobe little chance of turning, he was robbed, and the ball screamed beyond Patto"s right hand. Memories of my first trip to Teesside and a 2-2 flashed through my mind - a point away from home isn't bad, but we want to be aiming for three. It nearly got worse soon after but someone stuck out a leg to push the shot for a corner. Haway Lads - get hold of the ball!
After we had a corner cleared, there was a naughty one on Bellingham but play on was rightly waved on, allowing Issy into the box to see his effort saved for another corner. After Rigg was replaced by Samed on 70, we had a stoppage when an advert blew into Patto's box - and there was no wind. Spooky.
Another yellow, for a trip on Neil, preceded Roberts bombing down the line in uncharacteristically straight fashion to win a corner, then Issy made way for Mayenda as we wondered why not two up top - but who would have to be sacrificed for that to happen? Hume hit a nice shot from distance but it was straight at the keeper, then we flew down the left again, with Enzo firing in a low cross that evaded Mayenda but was met by Boro's Giles as he flew back - and it fairly pinged in. Lovely, and the celebrations on the field matched those in the stand. Gerrin!
Three minutes to go, and on came Poveda for a battered and bruised Roberts. Bang on 90, Mayenda was through from the right, but his shot, and follow-up, were both saved. By this time our fans were going pretty mental as five added minutes were announced.
A fourth looked a certainty when Samed went a bit mad and burst down the left before finding Poveda in the box - but he simply fell over. A few hefty clearances from anywhere in our half had us roaring our approval, then it was over. Celebrations like I've not seen for years, if ever, were led by Issy, who hung his shirt on the corner flag and waved it around while Rigg carried a Sunderland flag, then Mayenda led the "whey whey wheyyyys".
Fabulous scenes to celebrate our first double over that lot in over sixty years, and ones we'll remember for years.
Man of the Match? Issy's enthusiasm is infectious, Roberts had a good evening, Neil kept things sensible, and Bellingham grew better as the game went on. However, we've got Le Fee, Enzo Le Fee - and the man's a magician who made Luke Ageing look desperate and football look easy. So he gets my vote.