The next stage in celebrating the Boro’s 150th birthday was the designation of an official anniversary fixture close to the actual date. The game against Wolves fell nearest, which was somewhat appropriate given that they are also celebrating their 150th year.
That weekend also saw Jen and I walk more of the Yorkshire Wolds Way between Huggate and Millington Ridge. We only covered a little over five miles as we had Henry with us and the weather was warmer than he would have preferred. On the plus side though, we saw kites circling overhead.
Tom, Harry and I got to the ground earlier than normal as there was a full stadium card display planned that had been paid for by supporter groups. There was also a banner that was hoisted behind the South Stand goal pre-kick-off. It was all very impressive.
As with the legacy game the week before, the stadium was sold out. I’d tried to get a ticket for Soph but had been too slow.
To commemorate the occasion, Boro were wearing a ‘one-off’ blue kit in homage to the original colours from that 1876 season. Wolves, for some reason, were wearing all white, rather than gold and black. I don’t think it was anything to do with their own anniversary, more part of the trend for wearing ‘away’ rather than ‘change’ kits.
If you squinted a bit, it could have been Leeds v Chelsea, perhaps the 1970 Cup Final that would have warranted a dozen or more sendings off under current interpretation of the Laws.
The team selection was spot on with a back four featuring our two best centre-halves. Two proper cental midfielders in front of them and the best three creative players behind ‘on fire’ Will Lankshear.
Wolves had Kieran Trippier at full back. His past Newcastle spell earned him some stick in a pantomime villain sort of way, but I doubt there was much real malice involved.
Wolves sat back and it was fairly even until Lankshear put us ahead just before the hour. Wolves were understandably more adventurous after that, but we held on to take the points and move into second place in the table.
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