ESH WINNING (West Terrace)

NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO, ESH WINNING 1-2 SOUTH SHIELDS, ATTENDANCE: 123

For the second part of my Northern League double, I headed further North to the former mining village of Esh Winning. The village was founded in order to service a mine which was originally opened in 1866. It was closed between 1930 and 1942 before being reopened, but the mine was closed for good in 1968.

Esh Winning, who are currently battling for survival near the bottom of Division Two, play in the adjacent village of Waterhouses.

A famous footballing son, Sir Bobby Robson, grew up in another neighbouring village, Langley Park, and for a time was educated in Esh Winning. A local park has been named in his honour.

This was an enjoyable game. After being 0-2 down, the homesters could/should have got at least a point out of this game, but couldn't hit the proverbial. This maybe explains why they are struggling near the foot of the table.


Esh had already squandered a couple a good opportunities before Stephen Ramsey (32) headed home for South Shields. It was Ramsey who scored his, and Shield's, second goal on 76 minutes.


Skipper Luke Thompson pulled a goal back for the Esh with five minutes remaining before Ramsey picked up a second yellow card and was sent off.

Despite piling on the pressure in the remaining time, Esh could not find an equaliser and this result will leave them looking nervously over their shoulder as the season draws to a close.

West Terrace is another quirky Northern League ground and once again this league did not disappoint. A fantastic day all round.