Sheffield Wednesday 1 Vs 0 Sheffield United

N Power League 1

26th February 2012

Hillsborough

If someone asked you to produce a list of the best British derby games, I’m almost certain this would be in most peoples top 5. I have no affliction with Sheffield atall, but this was a game I couldnt resist, even if it did make my Sunday a rather hectic one. The only derby games I’ve visited have involved my own team. The Bristol derby obviously and the ‘Severnside’ derby against Cardiff. As I’m sure anyone reading this will know, it’s impossible to enjoy these games when your so emotionally involved, as there’s simply too much at stake for the losing side. So the opportunity to enjoy a game like this, not caring in the slightest what the outcome is rather enticing.

The Sheffield derby is steeped in history,. Two fantastic English clubs, playing at one of the most famous grounds in the country. There’s no plastic feel to this game like you see with some other higher profile ‘derby’ games, nor is there a feeling that the dislike and hatred is manufactured. I’m of the opinion that rivalries between sides in different towns/cities are in my experience anyway, much more hostile and genuine. Not being a Bristol lad, and not interacting with Rovers fans on a regular basis makes it seemingly hard to dislike them as I should. Other than the fact I should by rule see them as the scum of the earth, I have no real reason to ‘hate’ them atall. (Although their jealous fanbase do grate a little) My animosity is mainly aimed towards those in South Wales. Previous experiences, knowing alot of Cardiff supporters and the little hitler himself, Michael Chopra have fuelled my hatred of all things blue. It’s a debate that rages on in pubs and on forums all across the country and most fans understandably sway the way of their own rivalry. I’m in a privileged position to having  experienced both. So it’s up to the City of Sheffield to change my mind.

Sunday 26th February, 11:30 AM, and Im still in bed. Brilliant start baring in mind the game kicks off at 1 and my train was booked for 10:44. I’ve never got up and ready so quickly and after a dash across Derby in an extortionately priced taxi, I’m on a train to Sheffield by 5 to 12. Not a bad effort atall! (Well, its an incredibly bad effort given I should be at the ground by now had I have gotten up on fecking time..but y’know). My chav infested train gets in around half past and given that last time it took 40 minutes on the tram, and I’ve not a clue where I’m going to walk (run) it, a taxi is my only option. Preparing to be late, and ripped off by another extortionate inner City taxi, I queue at the taxi rank. Infront of me are 3 Sheff Utd fans and after asking the most obvious question in the history of the world ‘Are you going to the game?’ I’m in a taxi with them (I’m a cheapskate, I know) and on my way to the ground, with about 15 minutes to spare. Interestingly, they waited untill I was in the taxi before questioning me on my allegiances. I was sort of intrigued to see the reaction if I’d have said Wednesday, but played it safe and said Bristol City, claiming I wanted them to win given our old boss Danny Wilson is in charge there. That went down well luckily enough!

With 5 minutes to spare, and the team just coming out, I’m running up the stairs to the Kop to find my mate and take my seat. If any of you read my previous blog about my last visit to Hillsborough, I mentioned how Sheffield Wednesday’s version of ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’ was something pretty special. Well today it was taken to a whole new level. Pretty breathtaking stuff when 30000 people scream out the chorus on an occasional like this. Anyway the game gets underway and it’s your typical derby game, alot of blood and thunder and not alot of quality. Both sides are understandably a bit cagey and afraid to open up too much as putting the rivalry aside, this is an important game in the league 1 promotion race, in which Sheff Utd currently hold the advantage. The first major talking point comes about 15 minutes in when the Blades are awarded a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area at the far end of the ground from where I’m sitting. Lee Williamson steps up to take it and curls it against the underside of the bar, cueing pandemonium in the travelling support for a split second before it bounces down onto the line before its cleared to safety. Naturally Wednesday fans around me, 150 yards away, are absolutely positive it didnt go in. (I noticed a specsavers in the City centre on the way back..on this evidence, they may aswell pack up and head elsewhere in all honesty). Football wise, there’s not alot of quality on show, but for once that doesnt make for a boring game. Some of the challenges flying in were somewhat robust shall we say. Players are hitting the deck left right and centre. Some on the end of good strong tackles, some deciding they need a nice lay down and 1 in particular on the wrong end of Rob Jones who decided he’d had enough of having his shirt pulled at a set piece, and flung his marker to the ground. (I’d personally leave Rob Jones alone if I was playing. He makes Andy Carroll look like a borrower.) Half time comes with no score.

The second half starts in similar fashion, but with a much improved Hillsborough atmosphere. The Kop is literally bouncing…’If you dont f*cking bounce then your a blade’. Quite obviously the travelling support wasn’t joining in on this particular melody, or partaking in any other vocal activity atall really. At 0-0 in a local derby I expected a little more..But then again I was having my ear drums blasted by the brass band at the rear of the Kop, so I may possibly be doing the Blades a disservice. Its not until 15 minutes from time when the deadlock is finally broken. Good work from Antonio and Buxton down the Wednesday right provides Chris O’Grady (who I was in the process of telling my mate, was ‘f*cking shite’ to quote me directly) the chance to head home for 1-0. Hillsborough erupts.

As you’d expect with just 15 minutes left, It was United doing all the pressing, but failing to really test Bywater. Then just as the board went up for injury time, Evans got clear in the area about 8 yards out as a cross is floated over from the left. Free header, 8 yards out, must score..but he doesn’t connect properly and Bywater saves well. And that was that. Not the best game in the world, but derby games rarely are. As the Wednesday players celebrate on the pitch, Hillsborough is absolutely rocking. Been a very long time since I’ve hear noise like this at a football ground! Jose Semedo, who was superb is rightfully serenaded ‘Hes magic, you knowwww, you’ll never get past Semedo’ (One of the better player songs I’ve heard…Although not in the same league as Enoch Showunmi’s personal tribute!). It doesn’t seem as if anyone in blue and white is wanting to leave, (Who can blame them) and it’s still rocking long after the final whistle. However given I need to be at the 02 in London for half 7, I was in a bit of a rush.

I’d given myself an hour to get back to the station, so the tram seemed a good idea..and it was. It seemed that the tram I was on was full of depressed Sheff Utd fans heading back to their native roots in the south of the City, whilst the Wednesday fan walked alongside. (Quicker than the tram I was on in fairness) This turned out to be a pretty funny occurrence. Football fans get alot of stick, but they must be admired for their quick thinking and range of insults! A few heated words were being exchange through the glass which made for enjoyable viewing, whilst overenthusiastic antagonists outside were being set upon by police dogs and horses much to the United fans delight..All in good fun, although probably not for those on the receiving end of an Alsations jaw.

Once we got away from the ground, the crowd’s smoothed out and the tram got me to the station well in time as I headed down to London for a Mr Noel Gallagher. (As if my day couldnt get better…). I must admit my views on derby games haven’t changed on the basis of today, but that’s not to say I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the occasion. I was surprised to see both sets of fans being allowed to mingle so freely after the game. Im used to going to Cardiff on ‘bubble trips’ which are official club coach only, and being kept completely panned away from the home fans at all times, before getting a police escort all the way back to Bristol. I supposed this should be admired that the sets of fans can mingle together without it all going off, but I’ve always enjoyed that edge. Reflecting on the day though, the atmospheres been electric from the first whistle to the last, with a crowd of over 36000, and a game played in true derby spirit. These games are what footballs all about! Even for a neutral!

Peterborough United 3 Vs 0 Bristol City

N Power Championship

18th February 2012

London Road

It’s been a while since I last posted anything on here..A mix of circumstances and the fantastic British weather has put a stop to my footballing passion over the last month. A month without football? Outrageous. Id had a few games and even new grounds planned over the last few weeks, but with all being League 1 and below, none of my chosen adventures survived the cold weather.

Anyway, its long been decided that Peterborough away was an absolute definite for me this season. Not only is it reasonably close to me in Derby, it offers the chance to stand on a terrace that’s brilliant for acoustics! A rarity for me these days following a team in the heights of the Championship. Whilst my location and general passion for football takes me to alot of grounds with terracing, being a neutral at these games doesnt offer the opportunity to get involved in the atmosphere as you arent emotionally attached, so this is a real treat! A proper old school ground is London Road. Terraces behind each goal, an od grandstand that contains the luxurious (well, for the home side at least!) dugouts on one side, and a modern corporate based stand on the other. With Peterborough planning to knock down the away end at the end of the season, it will probably be my last chance for a while to be on a terrace for Championship football (I do so very much hope Stevenage make it up!). For no real reason in particular, I seem to have  visited London Road an awful lot as an away fan over my time supporting Bristol City. I’ve seen Jimmy Bullard stick one in from 35 yards in a 4-0 drubbing, boring 0-0’s, to a much more enjoyable 4-1 reverse in our favour. Football grounds have changed so much in the 12 or so years Ive been going regularly, so this is a real throwback to my early days as a football fan going to godforsaken places and seeing us get battered. Its amazing I sustained interest really!

In recent weeks, this game has grown ever more important. We’ve been hovering on the brink of the relegation zone for weeks now, and Peterborough after a good start have been sucked into the mix aswell, so its an early season relegation 6 pointer as they say. I never feel confident watching City on the road, but today I do, which clearly is a recipe for disappointment. After Brett Pitman’s late brace in midweek, hes in to replace on loan Chris Wood (Who I havent seen as yet, but am assured by my Dad is ‘f*cking useless’), so on the face of it we look reasonably strong..apart from our left back..who Ill no doubt get back to later. I’m used to us being slow starters, its always been our way, but this was impressive even for us. I dont think we touched it for literally the first 3 or 4 minutes as Peterborough basically did what they damn well pleased, and we, well, just sort of watched on. My optimism is quickly fading..after about 3 minutes! A record! Rightfully so however as we give George Boyd the freedom of the 6 yard box to turn and shoot, which is cleared off the line well by captain Liam Fonatine, but the rather rotund looking Lee Tomlin is there to stick in the rebound after just  5 minutes.

Recalling this game to write on here is actually quite depressing! The ‘Boro attack quickly discovered our inept left back was about as much use as a paralysed squirrel, and continued to attack in waves down that side for the rest of the half. Quite unbelievably we kept it down to just the 1. It took us about 30 minutes to get into the opposition penalty area, and about 40 to muster up a shot. Needless to say, it went out of the ground and is probably still heading off in the direction of far east even now! If ever halftime was needed, it was this game. Hopefully McInnes would give them the proverbial rocket. 2nd half, Wood is on for a defensive midfielder, and we looking to be going all out attack. In the space of 15 minutes, our philosophy on football seemed to have completely change. We actually attacked! Started off the second half like a house on fire. Pitman fired over, headers off the line, top drawer saves by the keeper. Was only a matter of time before the net was rippling. And for once, I was right. It was the wrong net however. A long hopefully ball completely takes out our obviously well rehearsed defensive shape, catches our left back out of position (If I’m honest, I’ve never actually seen him in the right position other than kick off. Woeful)…and we’re 2 down. 10 minutes later the exact same happens, yet David James decides to join in with the fun and make it yet easier to score by engaging in a footrace with Bolt like Emile Sinclair. Only one winner there and Ill give you a clue who didnt win. Calamitous. 3-0, and that was that. Peterborough could have scored at will thereafter, but seemed to take pity on what they could probably only presume was their under 13 side in a red strip. Being to close to the action at grounds like these, and being right behind the goal your team is  attacking, you get the fantastic experience of the cocky opposition goalkeeper. Normally found in the lower leagues and only perks up when about 3 goals to the good. Just what’s needed when you could punch just about anything and everything having watched 11 gutless individuals stroll around in your colours for 90 minutes.

It’s taken me a week to write this, as I’ve needed the recovery time to calm down otherwise this would have been written in a very Barry Fry type manner! I know we we’re playing Peterborough, but I thought that would have been a bit much! Lets just say I wouldnt have been the best of company Saturday night. Absolutely sick of our squad and am relishing the summer when most of these mercenaries will be shipped off to better (or most likely worse things, given their ‘performances’). Still, the travelling fans, despite the ‘performance’ and result kept on going to make it a somewhat enjoyable afternoon on a good old fashioned terrace! I expect it will be a while before the Cider Army get to experience one again! Luckily I get a break for City for a few weeks now (I say that now, as as soon as it gets to 3 O’clock on Saturday at home to Blackpool, Ill be as gutted as ever not to be in my regular seat as Ashton Gate! Especially with Ian Holloway in town…) as this weekend I’ll be getting my football fix elsewhere. A certain Steel City derby! I have absolutely no affliction with Sheffield atall, but I couldn’t be more excited for this.

Sheffield Wednesday 0 Vs 1 Charlton Athletic

N Power League 1

14th January 2012

Hillsborough

Having arrived back in Derby in the week, Id been facing a dilemma all week. Bristol City travel to the impressive newly built AMEX Stadium in Brighton today, the only Championship ground left for me to visit (I attended the Withdean however, regretfully). With this in mind for most of our fans,  it would be our biggest away following of the season so it ticked all the boxes for my weekend adventures. However given we aren’t Man Utd, our vast support doesn’t spread far and wide and the thought of travelling all the way to the South Coast on my tod somewhat put a downer on it. Thinking of my poor bank balance, I made the incredibly hard decision of putting off my trip to the AMEX back a year. That left me with the prospect of an empty Saturday, and that just wont do. After a browse of the fixtures, I came up with 2 potential games. Tamworth Vs Wrexham (A new ground) or Sheffield Wednesday Vs Charlton (Tasty looking top of the table clash). Unsurprisingly, a trip to Hillsborough got the nod. A chance not only to meet a mate of mine currently living in Sheffield, but also to get myself on the club database which will hopefully allow me to get a ticket for the steel city derby next month! I assumed this meant booking in advance, so after trying to get a ticket in the Kop that wasnt directly behind a pillar, and sorting train travel, I was all good to go.

The 11:40 train offered me a 0.10p discount over the others, so obviously that was the most sensible selection. (Had absolutely nothing to do with this enabling more time to be spent in the pub…). A short walk to the City centre from the station, and I was sipping a pint of Strongbow (Vile, but the North offers a crap selection of cider on tap :() by 12:27. Surrounded by Wednesday fans travelling Londoners talking all things League 1, our conversation immediately heads for the South Coast. Its one of those that obviously I want us to win, we need the points afterall, but given our fantastic following down there, a fantastic performance and result will make me feel all the worse for missing out. A 1-0 victory is our preferable outcome we concur. Scoring in the 1st minute to make the game as unenjoyable as possible!

Moving on to the game at hand, it seems a cracking game to have chosen to get myself on the database! It’s 1st V 3rd in League 1, and with Charlton looking good to take the league title, it looks as if it will be the two Sheffield clubs battling it out for the second spot. However, a win today for Wednesday and Charlton begin to get reeled back in to the mix. Wednesday are unbeaten at home thus far and despite Charlton’s loftier position, I predict a tight home win. I’ve visited Hillsborough before, but both times as an away fan so I’m interested to experience the atmosphere the old ground is and has been famous for. A trip to Hillsborough also offers a unique opportunity to travel to the game by tram! After walking to Derby Vs Bristol City in December, I’ve added 2 new methods of transport to a game in little over a month! (Just need to find somewhere to arrive by boat now!). We got the tram to Leppings Lane, and after walking the whole perimeter of the stadium bar about 1 corner, we find the ticket collection point. A man behind a metal fence with a handful of envelopes! and a queue that moved faster than any modern ticketing system!

Hillsborough is possibly my favourite, still used stadium in the country. A traditional old English ground, full of character, steeped in history having experienced fantastic atmospheres and horrendous tragedies. 4 huge stands sit close to the pitch and despite most seeing pillars as a hassle, I love them as they give you that proper football ground feeling. Luckily my seat in the Kop, behind (well just to the left a bit) the goal net isn’t directly behind a pillar (which granted, would be slightly irritating).  About 1000 Charlton fans were reported to have travelled, although I did overhear a few people mentioning there was a problem with trains in the Leicester area so a number of travelling fans were forced to abandon their away day and head home. With it being a top of the table affair, there’s a crowd in excess of 20000 (superb for 3rd level football. Unmatched by any country in the world Id have thought) and the atmosphere is heating up nicely. The only critism of Hillsborough I have is the acoustics of the away end seem to confine the noise therefore making it hard for the home fans at the opposite end to hear. The Wednesday band at the rear of the Kop start warming up their instruments and embark upon their serenade to ex Charlton midfielder Jose Semedo who will be lining up in blue and white this afternoon. As the teams arrive on the pitch the PA system starts up ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’. So long as you have the right amount of syllables in your name, most clubs adopt this song, including my own side who pull it out for big games. However, few, if any (maybe Wolves) do it aswell as Sheffield Wednesday fans. Sends a genuine chill through your spine when 20000 people clapping in unison burst into the chorus.

The game starts and its feisty to say the least. Some pretty rash challenges are flying in left, right and centre as both sides try their best to lose the ball as quickly as possible. I’ve been reading the last few days about Wednesday winger Ben Marshall. I believe today’s his last game of his current loan spell from Stoke, and Wednesday fans seem pretty disappointed that he’ll be leaving so I’m very interested to see what he can do as despite considering myself to have a pretty wide knowledge of the football league, I’ve never heard of him. As you’d expect from a top of the table clash, it’s pretty tight in the first 25 with neither wanting to give anything away.  After about half an hour, Charlton’s Bradley Pritchard pounced on a lose ball 25 yards out, poked it between 2 Wednesday defenders and gets absolutely clattered by Reda Johnson. Not only did he send Pritchard 10 feet in the air, he followed right through him and took out his own team mate Rob Jones in the process. Quite astonishingly he wasn’t booked. I’m half expecting him to be stuck on a GBH charge come midweek! It was that late. Due to Jones getting injured in the incident and receiving treatment, he’s ordered to leave the pitch. The most ridiculous rule in football. So Charlton have a free kick 25 yards out, and Wednesdays giant centre half is off the field. The result is inevitable isn’t it? Jonnie Jackson picks out the top corner with ease with a superb free kick and the visitors celebrate a 1-0 lead. (The least Pritchard deserved for being on the wrong end of Reda Johnson!) HT 0-0.

The second half starts much as the first ended. Tight with not alot in it. Given Wednesdays significant height advantage, they cause major problems from set pieces. Numerous times its cleared off the foot of a blue and white shirt, bundled round the post, or saved on the line by Hamer (and suspiciously Jackson aswell!). Marshall down the left is creating all sorts of problems, but the final ball isn’t there to give Wednesdays very capable strikeforce the opportunity to test Hamer in the Charlton goal. As the game wears on Wednesday fans around us get increasingly frustrated and seemingly so are the players. Marshall heads off and with seemingly goes the home sides threat from open play. Corners are still causing all sorts of problems however but it’s Charlton on the break that look increasingly likely to score though. Leon Clarke (Ex Wednesday..The bloke who got on the wrong side of Paolo Di Canio earlier this year and also broke his foot celebrating a goal in Wednesdays most important game of the last decade.) comes on to a chorus of boos and renditions of ‘Paulo Di Canio’. The bloke a few seats along mutters that should he score, hes going to ‘punch him in the head’. Quite how I dont know, but I’d like to see it, so although Im in the home end, my support goes to Charlton, and more specifically, Leon Clarke.

With injury time approaching, and Wednesday pushing for an equaliser, Charlton break from a corner. Clarke picks it up on the half way line with Charlton 2 on 1 against the defender..he keeps going and going (only a matter of time before unspeakable rage hits the man a few seats down) and going untill he get to the edge of the box where he seemingly just has to roll it into the corner. Clearly fearing for his safety, he decides to square it much to my disappointment, but everyone elses relief. They spurn the chance but it doesnt matter as seconds later the whistle is blown and the league leaders increase their lead at the top of the table.

Hillsborough is a ground Id recommend to anyone, and one I love visiting. A trip back for the derby next month if I can manage to find a ticket definitely sets the heart racing, despite having no affliction with Sheffield atall! After filling onto a tram with what seems to be the whole of the Sheffield population, its back to the station and a frantic search for the other result, with one in Brighton being of significant importance. Having left my mate on the tram, and my phone dying on me, my last resort is to ask the obvious football fans sat opposite me on the train. If Id have thought about it, and realised who were playing in the Sheffield vicinity, I wouldn’t have asked. ‘Bristol City? Haha. You lost 2-0’ was the response I got off a content sounding Welshman. Yep, Id asked a Cardiff fan. Great. Luckily I was only on it for 25 minutes back to Derby, but that was by far long enough listening to one of my beloved Cardiff friends go on about that fateful night in January 2010. So the end to another Saturday afternoon for yet another week. The countdown has begun already. 6 days, 19 hours and 41 minutes until kick off. But at what ground I wonder?

Crawley Town 1 Vs 0 Bristol City

FA Cup 3rd Round

7th January 2012

Broadfield Stadium

The draw for the FA Cup 3rd round is up there with one of the best days in the football calender. Since becoming bigtime and getting into the Championship, we’re now automatically entered into the 3rd Round draw, a guaranteed chance at pulling one of the big boys out of the bag. A big team away from home preferably to a ground I’ve never visited or Bristol Rovers are my hopes for the draw. Since I’ve been supporting City, we’ve never pulled out a good tie. The highlight was a trip to Filbert Street in 2001. So yeah, its about time we were handed an attractive, get your pulse racing tie….. No disrespect to Crawley, but that wasn’t what I was really looking for.

Now I had a choice to make.  Stay at home for longer and head to watch an upset at the Broadfield, or come back up to Derby early and head to Macclesfield to see them at home to Bolton. A proper FA Cup tie. Like always though, despite my best efforts, Bristol City get the nod. It’s my last chance to see them for a while afterall. Even after seeing the ticket prices. £22! :O It’s a new ground though so it’s just about worth it. I must give you a quick history lesson regarding Bristol City and cup football. Since we made it into the Championship (2007) we’ve won a grand total of 2 cup games, in all competitions, both against Brentford. We’ve gone out in the 3rd round of the FA Cup four years running, and the we haven’t made it past the 2nd round of the Carling cup in that time either. Giants of English football such as Swindon, Southend, Carlisle, Cardiff, Sheff Wed, Crewe have all condemned us to early cup exits in recent years. So a trip to high flying League 2 Crawley Town has all the recipes for disaster. We dont play up to the favourites tag. We’re a great underdog as proved at St Marys last week, but we just don’t do well being favourites.

McInnes has come in and said from the off the cup is high on his list of priorities, and we wont be taking it lightly which is great news. That should be a given, but unfortunately it seems more and more teams nowadays overlook the fantastic FA Cup in favour of a league game in a weeks time. So we should have our best side out, and a confident one at that having won twice in a week, nicking an injury time winner in a relegation 6 pointer Vs Millwall the previous Tuesday.

I’ve managed to blag a lift again (I drive most of the time..honest!) and for the second time in a week we’re off along the M4 and towards the South coast. (Unbelievably we have Brighton next week aswell so in 2 weeks we’ll have been to Southampton, Crawley and Brighton). We’ve left early again, but this time for very good reason. Crawley’s one of the fantastic places with a Toby Carvery a mile from the ground. It would be rude not too so the postcode in the satnav and away we go. Despite our recent upturn, there’s not alot of confidence flowing around again. (We’re optimistic sometimes! Not often, but occasionally) Our abysmal cup record being the main reason, and when your only slight favourites, despite being 2 leagues above, you know you’re going to be in for a tough afternoon. Still, we conclude under McInnes things might be different, and hopefully our quality will shine through on the day. We’d even be happy with a draw so we can take them back to Ashton Gate. We make great time and pull up to the Toby about half 12.  Now whilst my trip to Crawley will hopefully remembered for the fantastic performance we’re about to put it, it will definitely be remembered for it all kicking off at the Toby! Clearly down on staff for the day, and pressure obviously mounting, the 2 chefs have it out with a heated discussion. Why? Because there was going to be a 10 minute wait for the roast potatoes! I was half expecting to walk out and see them smacking each other round the back with dustbin lids, but it wasn’t to be.

The Broadfield Stadium was only a short drive and after parking up, we made our way to the turnstile. I was quite excited about visiting the ground in all honesty, its been a long time since I’ve been able to stand at the football on a proper terrace. Its the one downside of Championship football, no terraces. Peterborough’s the only one these days, and even that’s getting knocked down so I’ve heard. It’s a decent little ground given it was built when Crawley were nothing but a non league side. There’s a modern main stand to the right, two identical small terraces behind each goal that weirdly go 10 yards round the corner flag at each end, and what can only be described as a couple of steps running alongside the pitch to the left! Behind is a large net that acts as a ball boy to stop Crawley’s bill for footballs running out of control. We take out positions behind the goal net (obviously) and await the teams. It seems that McInnes has been true to his worked and picked a strong side, albeit without our injured midfield enforcer Marvin Elliott. Im never as confident without him. He went off injured in midweek and as soon as he did we look a completely different side. Still we’ve got a good side, with a scattering of internationals and a £5 million rated striker. Surely we’ll have enough?

Well it doesn’t look like it in the opening exchanges. Crawley have a flurry of corners inside the first 10 minutes right in front of our fans. Sergio Torres gets the inevitable long hair based banter, with our fans completely forgetting our very own left winger wears a hairband. I don’t know what’s more embarrassing. 20 minutes come and go, and I dont think we’ve made it into the opposition box yet. Our game plan weirdly consists of launching it to a disinterested Maynard (whos quite small) whos being marked by Claude Davies (who is massive). About midway through the half a volley from the edge of the box from Crawley’s wide man manages to hit the inside of David James’ right hand post, before spinning across the goalmouth and hitting his left hand post before going behind for a goalkick. A lucky espcape and surely a wake up call. Finally we get past the half way line and Uncle Albert (Adomah, our Ghanain international) evades an assault before teeing up Maynard 10 yards from goal…who fails to hit the target. (£5 million my arse). Then Crawley’s danger man, Matt Tubbs beat David James again, but again it hits his right hand post. But this time it pops up to the advancing Sergio Torres who somehow manages to volley it backwards from about 4 yards out. Superb clearance in fairness. Half Time 0-0. God knows how, but we’re still level. McInnes needs to give them a rocket at half time.

Second half begins in much the same fashion. Crawley’s genius plan to stick a net down the whole of the left side of the pitch to save money is clearly floored. The stand behind the goal is pretty small, and I counted 3 balls going over during the start of the second half as they continue to attack us. My hopes have somewhat altered during the course of the game though. Originally I wanted the win to see us safely through. Then Id have settled for a draw to take them back to AG. Now Id be happy with a shot on target. How can we go from our performance at St Marys a week ago, to this. Told you we didn’t do the FA Cup. Still, we’re still level, for now. With about 15 minutes left, and some bizarre substitutions later, its still Crawley doing the pressing. A innocuous clearance seems to totally catch our defence out (Laughably) and Tubbs runs through 1 on 1 with James. And unlike Maynard finished it off easily. The place, and especially the annoying bloke with a bell in the main stand, go wild. Good finish to be fair to Tubbs. Let it bounce and just volleyed it into the corner. Its obvious why teams form higher levels are looking at him. Id rather him than our disinterest frontman to be honest.

I cant see us getting back into it, and our fans start heading for the exits. What’s more annoying than losing, is that we don’t even look like mustering a shot, let alone scoring. Sub Yannick Bolasie gives us a bit of impetus, buts its too little too late. After easily seeing off our lacklustre attack, its Crawley who celebrate and confirm their place in the 4th round draw. Yet another year in which we’ve ballsed it up. A new ground ticked off though, and seeing it kick off at the Toby is some consolation though. Oh, and Crawley drew Hull away in round 4. Strangely I’m not too disappointed to be missing that!

So that’s it. The end to Bristol City’s cup exploits for another season. Hopefully not mine though. Ill be scouring the fixtures looking for a round 4 tie come the end of the month!

 

Southampton 0 Vs 1 Bristol City

N Power Championship

30th December 2011

St Marys Stadium

So here we go, the first of many blogs on random games in random locations that I visit each and every Saturday. Although this isn’t random, nor is it a Saturday, so that first line is pretty redundant. I’m home for Christmas and with St Marys’ not being all that far away, it’s a good opportunity to catch my beloved Bristol City in action. After getting my ticket the week before, braving the ridiculous price, I’m all good to go. Managed to blag a lift, which can only mean one thing. Road beers! (Or ciders. I’m from the West Country afterall.)

Now whilst I’ve been looking forward to this the for whole festive period, I’m not exactly very expectant. The reason being Southampton are top, and quite good, having gone the whole of 2011 unbeaten at home (22 games I think) whereas we’re not so good, and have just come off the back of a defeat at Coventry, the leagues bottom side. Add in my pretty horrendous away record watching us in recent years, I conclude anything less than a 5 goal drubbing should be seen as a good result. And if it couldn’t get any worse (it can) our talisman striker Nicky Maynard, has this week informed the club he wont be signing a contract beyond the summer, after about 8 months of umming and arrring. Nice one Nicky. Although on this seasons form, hes not going to be missed when hes inevitably sold on in January. Still its my first away day in a while, so spirits were fairly high heading eastward along the M4. As is the norm these days in the Championship, this isn’t a new ground for me. I visited in 2008 in the culmination of our fantastic play off season. We lost of course, and put in just about the worst performance of the season when it really mattered so just about anything will be an improvement on that! We’d headed off quite early so we could take in some food down in Southampton on arrival, so there was plenty of time to have a good old moan at the recent goings on at Ashton Gate.

After a good old wander around Southampton (not the most scenic location for a football ground I must say), and a trusty KFC tucked away we make our way to St Mary’s Stadium. Initially these sort of grounds really impressed me as a youngster, yet now having visited Derby, Coventry, Middlesbrough, Cardiff etc etc they’ve got a little boring! Thank god our proposed new ground is going to be a little different and unique. If it ever gets built that is. We get into the ground (after another absolutely pointless frisk of some big burly bright orange bloke) and its time to hear tonight’s teams. From what I can make out, we’ll be operating a 6-3-1 formation tonight. Now whilst I expect us to get hammered, that seems extreme. Still McInnes has started well, so Ill place my trust in him, albeit quite sceptically. As I said, the wow factor of walking into these all seater lego stadiums has worn off a bit, so there’s time for another drink methinks whilst the rumour mill on SSN goes into overdrive on the tv’s given the window opens in a couple of days time. The general consensus amongst the fans is quite similar to mine, that we’ll get hammered. And ex Bristol Rovers fat frontman Rickie Lambert will bag a few shoving the inevitable abuse right back down the throats of which it came. Accept one chirpy old bloke, a scrappy 1-0 win he suggests. A clean sheet?!?! No chance.

After a quick dabble in the fine facilities, I head off to find my seat which turns out to be in the first row of seats next to the segregation, so 10 yards from the Saints fans. Normally this would be alright, but given how I expect the game to pan out, this just means I have to endure about 85 minutes of smug faces. The game kicks off an we line up slightly more attacking than I first thought. Just 5 at the back and a defensive midfielder on the right wing. Still we’ve got our Ghanaian international in Albert Adomah, so we’ll just give the ball to him. Surprisingly we look quite solid, and after Louis Carey (Captain, Bristol born and bred with over 600 apps for us) puts Lambert 6 feet in the air with what can only be described as a late challenge (and by late I mean about a fortnight after Lambert let go of possession) we look OK going into half time, with neither side having really threatened.

The optimist in me says this is going well and having held the league leaders to a few long range pot shots, we could be on for a good point here. The pessimist in me says this is Bristol City, we’ll find a way to lose. As the second half begins, its obvious we’ve changed our shape a little reverting back to our usual formation with Uncle Albert back on the right hand side to do what he does best. Scare left backs. About midway through the half, the ball drops to Kalifa Cisse about 25 yards out (hes NEVER been that far up the pitch). Fearing I might get hit in the face by this incoming shot, being 10 rows from the back, I urge him to ‘hold it’. He ignores me, hits and and unbelievably manages to hit the target! Davies spills it in the Saints goal and Maynard, our want away striker dinks it in the corner of the net. Absolute chaos ensued for about 3 seconds, enough time to  grin smugly (and maybe shout some words of encouragement….) to the Saints fans near by. Then it goes quiet..huh? The Saints fans erupt..huh? Oh, its been disallowed for offside. I crawl back in my shell for the next 5 minutes. Clearly growing in confidence, we start to play a little bit more and on loan midfielder Stephen Pearson gets put through 1 on 1..Davies comes to the rescue though again after a pretty poor effort. One of those when you genuinely think you could have done better yourself. Still Southampton still fail to hurt us and we’re really on the front foot now. Skuse picks it up 30 yards out (Again one who gets a nose bleed beyond the half way line) and fires it goalbound. Amazingly it again stays low and arrows towards the bottom corner. Davies yet again gets a hand to it, but only in the direction of Maynard, 8 yards out.  He cant miss..he did, surprisingly. But Davies only parries it out to PEARSONNNNNNN! A sneaky check that the linesmans flag isn’t raised to avoid any repeat embarassment, and pandemonium can begin. Some 1800 travelling reds go absolutely wild. A Saints fan launches what look likes a cup of tea at the huddled group of players in lemon peel yellow by the corner flag in disgust. (Probably at our kit in fairness). 12 minutes to go. ‘Hold on City. Hold on for f*ck sake’

Now for any fan whos experienced their team being 1-0 up away from home, you will know that it is horrendous. The last 10 minutes feel like a lifetime. And injury time, wow. Time has literally never gone so slowly whilst we hang on for dear life. Lambert spurns Saints last attempt and that it, the whistle goes! Quite unbelievable we’ve beaten the leaders in their own backyard ended their year long run at home without losing, the day before new years eve haha. They should have known that would happen really. The travelling ciderheads are in fine voice at the final whistle as our heroes (Maynard doesnt count) come over to applaud our fantastic support on the night. After the customary hug with the stranger next to me, its out of the ground, back to the car, and the end of an absolutely superb away day.

And that’s why I love football I guess. The feeling of that final whistle blowing after 15 minutes of absolute agony, the feeling of winning away. Irreplaceable. What a night. Now, watch us go and lose to League 2 Crawley next week..