It’s always interesting when someone new joins us for a grand day out. We obviously have preconceptions based upon our many late-night meetings weighing up the risks and benefits of someone we don’t really know that much about. She, of course, was a familiar face, both home and away, and in the end, following a secret ballot of the usual suspects, we took the risk. Our 102-mile journey north would be slightly dangerous.
To be honest, I had her down as a former headmistress, authoritative, direct, and slightly scary. The awkward silence was broken shortly into the journey when she suddenly lurched forwards from the back seat making Tesco Pete flinch, expecting the worse. ‘Anyone want a chocolate biscuit’, she asked as two silver wrapped bars flashed between us. The relief was palpable, it didn’t take Tesco Pete more than a moment to accept, panic over. We soon discovered she was once one of Calderdale’s first lady bus drivers too.
The rest of our journey was entertaining. A word association quiz also appeared from the back seat, as Tesco Pete and I went head-to-head with questions like, ‘What links Cream, Cube and Cap?’ Obviously, it’s difficult to provide the correct answers when you’re driving. It’s definitely easier to shout out the correct word when, like Tesco Pete you’ve got a mobile phone in your hand. I’ll be better prepared for any future trip.
We arrived at Hartlepool’s Victoria Park just in time to bag a parking space near the away turnstiles. We had fun at the turnstiles, our electronic tickets generated that famous noise from an incorrect answer on Family Fortunes. Apparently, we had bought tickets for the home end and were sent to the ticket office. The ticket office double checked and confirmed we had the right tickets, luckily, the wonderful lady behind the counter escorted us back and ensured our admission, regardless of what the turnstile operator thought.
The travelling Shaymen were given the covered seating behind the goal. The chips and burgers were decent, and the sun appeared from the previous grey leaden skies. By kick off the away end was buzzing, over 300 fans were in attendance accompanied by a serious sized drum, the noise was deafening. Three coach loads of merry Shaymen made a right difference.
The first half started well for the Shaymen attacking the far end, but soon after Hartlepool came into the game and created opportunities. In truth we were happy to be goalless at half-time. The noise was ramped up further in the second half, and the Shaymen created a couple of good chances within moments of the restart. The more the game progressed, the less worried we became about the outcome, we never seem to do well away at Hartlepool, but the team looked assured and gave as good as they got. Both teams had chances to win in injury time, the Pools keeper saved a shot on target whilst Johnson somehow kept out a double chance at the far end, it looked for all the world as a last minute winner for Hartlepool.
The reception from the fans at full time reflected the hard work and endeavour the team put in with a very creditable draw. It’s now three games unbeaten on the road, a very decent start. We drove back content having watched an entertaining game with a great atmosphere.
Next up we’re off back down South with a visit to Maidenhead, we’ve also got news for the absent Greetland Shaymen too, it’s safe, the Bus Driver is fine, you can join us again next time, all is well, just be prepared for a dodgy quiz.
Miles on the road: 1102. Goals on the road: 2 Points on the road: 5
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