With it being a matchday there should have been an X901 running from Heworth to Stadium of Light/St Peters. Buses have less capacity than a Metrocar, and people with season tickets are unlikely to defer travel. It doesn't make sense having one bus weaving in and out of South Tyneside's estates doing nobody any favours.
It's not like the Stadium of Light or football games are a new thing that shouldn't be planned for, either.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages