Season 22/23 Review - Jarrow FC

Season 22/23 Review

The current season is over and it’s time to reflect on the 40 games that saw us finish in 18^th place in our 6^th Northern League campaign, our lowest finish since promotion in 2017!

To say this current campaign has been a one of highs low would be an understatement. From a spate of draws to start with, a promising unbeaten run the middle and a disappointing string of results near the end we find ourselves sitting precariously in 18^th place in the table having been leapfrogged by Ryton & Crawcrook Albion recently on Wednesday evening.

The season started with three successive decent draws against Washington, Birtley & Brandon with the latter two sides challenging at the top for most of the season. It was only with Brandon’s manager Mattie Thompson departing for Crook Town that there season tailed off. Aiden Routledge the Divisions leading marksman bagged 2 of his impressive 50 plus goals during the 2-2 home draw with Birtley. Jarrow football club also welcomed blind groundhopper John Stancombe from London to the Birtley game, we provided him with help getting to the ground, a guided tour and match commentary throughout. John later said that we were one of the friendliest clubs he’d been too during his mammoth football journey!

Next for the lads saw four straight defeats but from those losses emerged a young goal scorer who bagged a couple of goals and instantly endeared himself to the fans. South Shields FC Academy product Alex Thompson.

The Blue & Whites first win came courtesy of a brace from another new striker Andrew ‘Starman’ Bowie in a two nil away win at Willington who would be the first team to be relegated.

It would be a further 3 games before Jarrow would win again after seeing defeats at Redcar & Blyth as well as the derby home humbling against Boldon. A Dan Smith winner in the first half was enough to see Sunderland West End off in a close encounter and grab a vital three points.

Jarrow then went a further 3 games without a win in a familiar lose three, win three pattern. Yet again it was an early Dan Smith strike that ended the bad run as the lads beat Chester Le Street Town 1-0 at the beginning of October.

Just three days after that win and the lads gave the league leaders a big shock even leading until the 92^nd minute as goals from new signing Abu Salim & a brace for the returning Liam Mulvain earned the South Tynesider’s a three all draw with tough outfit Boro Rangers.

That game kick started Jarrow’s season and in particular the partnership between Abu & Mully that collectively totalled 18 goals in the next 10 games as the lads went on a massively important 7 game unbeaten run. A mini cup run, and a penalty exit at the hands of local rivals and higher division opponents Hebburn Town nestled in between those results.

Another injury time equaliser then came at the hands of title chasing Birtley town in amongst those games and saw us draw another thrilling game 3-3.

Into the new year and the lads shook off a disappointing defeat away to Sunderland West End by smashing four past another top 4 side, this time new wonderkid Evan Whittle scored in a commanding 4-2 victory. James Talbot with a screamer to settle the game late on.

An impressive 4-3 away victory at Washington followed soon after with centre half Kris Summers on the scoresheet that afternoon despite a worry that the pitch wouldn’t even pass the extremely late inspection!

The game after seemed to be the catalyst for the next dip in form and ultimately where we find ourselves today. Not just a defeat at home to Promotion chasing Bedlington but we lost Salim & Luke Hudson to unbelievably bad refereeing decisions. Both seeing red and subsequently banned for 4 & 3 games respectively. In form Evan Whittle also breaking a leg around this time didn’t help the cause.

Jarrow then typically went on a three game losing streak before halting that run yet again with an impressive home victory against Redcar Athletic who themselves were pushing for a play off place. A 92^nd minute Lee McMahon winner gave the home crowd something to cheer about in a 3-2 win.

Since that result the lads have only managed to pick up 1 point from 7 games when a Thompson strike and Mully brace gave the lads a valuable point at home against Newcastle Uni.

With two games remaining Jarrow knew that one victory from either Blyth Town or Esh Winning at home in the space of three days would keep the South Tyneside club in the division. A thumping 5-0 reverse against Esh Winning on the final game of the season almost overshadowed an incredible team performance and 3-1 victory just two days before that Esh defeat as Play off chasing Blyth were beaten at Perth Green thanks to a Mully brace of Penalties and an Abu header. With them both finishing the season neck and neck for the leading goal scorer charts for the club on 12 goals apiece.

After the game Dave Bell handed in his resignation as joint manager of the first team after 17 seasons in charge, subsequently Dave's joint manager Scott Oliver also resigned from his position leaving the club on the hunt for new management! We wish both well in the future and thank them for all the hard work!

The season will be remembered by some for the incredible support that was given to the team throughout the season despite negative results. ‘Jarrow take over everywhere we go’ still ringing in the ears of every away ground yet they only gained positive feedback from everyone we spoke to or that we saw posted on social media. The name of the Hackle Hecklers of the Blue & White army remains a popular one throughout the Northern League.

With an impressive home average crowd of 125 for the season we thank you all for your support during a tough season and we’ll see you all back at Perth Green for the summer friendlies, enjoy the summer and close season.