The Build-up

Just made a quick detour off the A1 as I headed north today. I dunno why, bu the car always refuses to head past the Metro Centre, preferring instead to go over the river and up Barrack Road. Anyway, I was struck by the improvement since even last week when the open area behind the Milburn Stand looked like a building site - probably because it still was a building site. I half expected to see Charley Dimmock (well, hoped rather than expected!) and her chum(p)s from the BBC.

Anyway, things have improved. Whether it will be finished before kick-off tonight, I dunno. They were still hard at work putting in the finishing touches as I drove by. Coming down the Bowes incline past the Angel, tha heart begins to beat just that little bit faster. Get down into the Team Valley and it starts to race as you see the stadium on the skyline. Drive past the place and stare up awestruck. Crikey, what's it going to be like after I've climbed those hallowed steps toniht and am looking down on the pitch?

Excited? Me? What do you think? Let's hope the Force is with us in the Holy Ground tonight!

The Pub

After a long close season (well, it seemed that way) it was good to meet up with the unusual suspects. Propping up th ecorner was Softie, along with Steph and the infrequently seen Tony Green Jr. Not long to wait before Mr Steph (John), Dougal and Lady Tynedale put in an appearance, followed by Sting and Tynedale Man, Jonno and Dr Bill. Dougal and Susue Brown Ale made up the party - apart from that is Pete (no longer) in Bahamas and Mrs PiB. Quite a crew - I hope I didn't miss anybody. Well seen the ground capacity has increased - shame about the Strawbeery tho.

The Gound

In a word, it is magnificent.

The match

A lively start by the Toon saw Solano and Dyer exchange on the right, with Nobby slotting in a nice cross for Carl Cort to head into the far corner of the goal after 4 minutes. Hardly time to get y breath back after climbing all those steps - but at least I made it before the start, which is more than can be said for quite a lot. The half progressed with United on top, but we lacked control in midfield and lost the ball all too often. Eventually, on the stroke of halftime, Derby equalised after a long through ball down the left from ex_ManUre man Danny Higginbottom (I bet he's a Lancashire lad) was taken down well by Branco Strupar to turn Aaron Hughes inside out and slot the ball past a hapless Shay Given. n the meantie, United had lost Cort and Dabizas thru injury, to be replaced by Stephen Glass and Alain Goma.

Second half started like the first half ended, but this time it was United who scored within a minute. Danny Boy "Dan Corleone" picked up a loose ball on the left edge of the area and tricked the keeper with a deft turn of foot and found the far corner with a well taken goal. We'd hardly got our breath back (yes, I'd been doonstairs to the loo) before we went 3-1 up. This time, a corner from the left bounced around, eventually finding Stephen Glass 25 yds out. He took a sidestep, steadied himself and hit a wonderful bending shot into the goal past Poom.

At this stage, United were well on top and the momentum was building. However, a bad mistake by Barton let in Dean Sturridge (or was it Dion Burton?) and a battle between then saw Barton trying to take his opponents shorts off. Although it might have 50-50, you can't do that sort of thing in public and Warren received his marching orders, with Charvet coming on the strengthen the defence at the expense of Solano. The next 20 minutes or so were predictable, and Derby pulled a goal back through Seth Johnson. However, we managed to hold on for a (just) deserved win.

Overall, we played some good stuff, but some of the old weaknesses were still present. Yet another partnership at centre back, with Dabizas and Hughes starting and ending with Hughes and Goma. Some good points but also a number of gaping holes. Help! For the second match in a row, we lacked control in midfield. This time, our oponents weren't as good as on Sunday and we found enough to earn three points. But, IMHO, we need a hard man in midfield - well, at least harder than Nobby Solano, Kieron Dyer and Gary Speed, none of who are reknowned for ball-winning and holding onto it.

MotM for me was Don Corleone. Perhaps it is early days, but he does seem to have a few tricks up his sleeve and defenders don't seem able to cope. Add to that, a cool heed (and a naff haircut) and he could be the find of the season - let's hope so as we could be without Carl Cort for a few games.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2000

Answers

Damn - I forgot Clarky and Pit Bill. Such quite chaps, its quite understandable. I also forgot to mention Lady Tynedale's friends. You kept them quiet Rog (so to speak!). Gret to see you gals.

Did I miss anybody else?

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2000

As always, a first class report. Thank you Screach.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2000

We shy, retiring, self efacing types are well used with being afterthoughts, Screach, so divvent fash yersel. :-))

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2000