Turkish Champions go to Shropshire

It's 6.30am on Saturday 12th July 2013 and my alarm is going off signaling my first away trip of the new 2013/14 season with my match of choice being Shrewsbury Town vs Galatasaray.....yes the 19 times winners of the Turkish Süper League and Champions League Quarter-Finalist last season.

I leave the house for the 7.15am to St Pancras via Blackfriars giving me enough time to grab a bacon roll and cup of tea before the 8.23 departs from Euston to Wolverhampton. An uneventful journey saw me arrive in Wolverhampton just after 10.15 giving me just enough time to nip to the Moon Under Water on Lichfield Street. First pint and pub tick of the day at 10.20am, today could be a good 'un. The Moon Under Water is a large Wetherspoons in the ground floor of the old Co-op store, my pint costs me just £1.65 with my camra card, bargain.

Back at the station I board the Arriva Wales service from Birmingham New Street to Pwllheli, third stopping being Shrewsbury.

Now the last time I was in Shrewsbury was in January 93 when me and an old pal went to the Shrewsbury Town vs Chester City derby at Gay Meadow, my one and only visit to the old ground but at least I ticked it before it went and the Shrews were placed out of town at the Greenhous Meadow...more on the new ground later. That last visit over 20 years ago had the 2 of us drink ourselves to excess, visit various drinking establishments before retiring to sleep to my car with a kebab in the small hours.

Back to the present day and with the train arriving on time I was in my first Shrewsbury pub by 11.30. The Salopian bar is a corner plot pub with a good range of different ales on. The sun is beating down as I sit outside facing the main road and drink my pint. Next stop the Coach & Horses on Swan Hill followed swiftly by the Admiral Benbow a couple of doors down. The summer is truly with us as I sit in the beer garden of the Benbow with an umbrella up protect me from the mid day sun. 3 pubs ticked already in town before I head off to the Three Fishes on Fish Street via a Cornish pasty stop in the high street, I need something to soak the beer up. It's approaching 1pm as I finish my pint and leave the Three Fishes for pub number 5, The Nags Head on Wyle Cop. The Nags is a small pub with a very large sun trap garden where I sit with other Shrewsbury fans getting ready to see their team play one of European Football's greats.

I leave the pub in search of a taxi to take me to the ground but they are non-existent so I walk over the bridge in the general direction of Greenhous Meadow. A few minutes later I stumble upon the Prince of Wales which is also in the guide (there's 7 in Shrewsbury in total this year), I hadn't planned on getting to this pub so it's a bonus. A chat with the landlord leads me to securing a place on the pubs coach to and from the ground at a cost of just £2.25 return, an absolute bargain. I follow a few locals out of the pub and onto the coach for the 10 minute journey to the ground.

Greenhous Meadow looms up just after a roundabout, for a new ground it's well proportioned with 4 completed stands, all pretty identikit to be honest though.

I wander around taking a few photos, pick up a couple of programmes and pop into the club shop which incidentally looks like its been raided before walking back to the turnstile and enter into the west stand. I can already see there are a few hundred Galatasaray fans in the ground displaying banners and their full colours

 

Tickets for today's game are £18.00 for adults, which sounds a little high for a pre season friendly but it's a damn sight cheaper than the £60.00 that AFC Bournemouth are charging for the visit of Real Madrid later this month.

I take my seat with my individual cottage pie just to the right of the half way line opposite the main stand. There's a decent crowd in the ground and the Turkish fans are certainly putting a show on. The teams are announced and the whole of the Galatasaray team is read out in Turkish by a chap called Muzzy, I don't catch half the names but both Emmanuel Eboue and Johan Elmander are in the starting 11. From the kick off its clear that Gala are here for a victory and the first goal of the game duly arrives on 4 minutes when Emre Colak calmly slotted the ball past Chris Weale following a good passage of play. Shrews continue to play their game with Luke Summerfield having a particularly good game in the centre of midfield just in front of the back 4, picking the ball up from the centre halves at every opportunity and spreading the ball about.

Gala go 2 ahead as Noureddine Amrabat burst's into the box and calmly pushes the ball wide of the outrushing Weale, this is how it stays until halftime but not before the Gala fans light their flares...I bet the locals haven't seen this at Greenhous Meadow before!

HT: Shrewsbury 0-2 Galatasaray

For a pre season friendly in a very high temperature both teams have played some cracking football in the first half. Fathers and their sons are lining the side of the pitch awaiting the appearance of superstars such as Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba, 2 of the biggest names in European Football if not World Football...soon they will both grace the pitch in a small Shropshire town, bizarre to be perfectly honest but fair play to the teams behind the scenes of both clubs in getting this game on, it's dragged me all the way here and I'm loving it!

The 2nd half commences with both teams making numerous substitutes and immediately it's the hosts that start on the attack and they nearly pull a goal back but for a block by the Gala number 5. Eboue charges down the Shrews left and swings a cross in that is turned around for a corner. From this corner Shrews launch a counter attack but again to no avail..this half has started with end to end action.

Then it happens with barely 20 minutes on the clock the last of Gala's subs are made and here come the 'big guns' both Drogba and Snijider are introduced..the grounds erupts and all of the neutrals (like myself) and young kids are pleased as these 'big guns' strut their stuff on he Greenhous meadow pitch.

Shrews are inches away from getting a goal back after good pressure from Jon Marsden saw him close down the Gala keeper, a midfielder intercepted the clearance and fed it to an onrushing home player who skipped past one challenge and then burst into the box before driving a shot across goal but agonizingly past the post.

With just over 5-minutes of the game remaining Galatasaray grabbed a third goal, a good break down the middle from is thwarted by a great slide tackle on the edge of the box but the luck was with the visitors as the ball rebounded back up and into the path of Kurtulus who drove in a shot that McQuaid did well to block on the line only for Sneijder to be in the right place to smash the ball into the empty net.

The last 5 minutes are played out before the referee blows he's whistle to signal a 1 man pitch invasion!

A decent game of football played in a competitive spirit with a large sprinkling of "Gala's stars on show.

FT: Shrewsbury 0-3 Galatasaray

I depart the ground and board the coach back to the Prince of Wales. Declining a pint I head off on the good 15 minute walk back to Shrewsbury station. There are delays on the track in the Telford area which has me back into Birmingham New Street with just over 10 minutes before my booked train to London Euston. I quickly make my way to Tesco's, grab some sushi and cider (great evening meal!) before settling down on the train.

Thankfully the Virgin service arrives into Euston a few minutes early and bar train delays between Blackfrairs & Sevenoaks I'm back indoors just after 10.30pm. A long day but another worth while trip, another league ground ticked as well as 6 new pubs.

Til the next time.....

Enfield Town 0-3 Margate - 16/3/13

With torrential rain all night on Friday and then all the way through Saturday morning almost every game below the Ryman leagues were postponed leaving me with the prospect of a football free Saturday or to play the sit and wait game.

This I duly did and after the completion of a successful pitch inspection I was off to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on the aptly named Donkey Lane for Enfield Town vs Margate in the Ryman Premier.

My first visit to Donkey Lane so as well as managing to get a game in during this bad weather spell I would also be able to get another "tick".

A fellow Dulwich Hamlet fan was also at a loose end so we arranged to meet in the Hamilton Hall Wetherspoons at Liverpool St Station for a couple of pre train pints and a catch up on all things non league.

The train stopped at all stations and 30 minutes after departing Liverpool St we arrived at Southbury Rd station with 15 minutes to spare before kick off. A quick 4 stop bus ride followed and we duly arrived with minutes to spare.

Enfield Town are into their 2nd season of using the QE II stadium and have made a decent job of converting an athletics track into a workable football ground. There is the amazing Art Deco main stand with end café which has now been converted into a bar and viewing platform. Behind each goal sits a temporary stand with terracing and the far side houses another temporary stand this time with a quantity of seats. The stands behind each goal have been moved in from the athletics lanes and make the ground quite cozy while of course still being open.

The game started at a decent pace with Enfield having more of the ball but Margate using the ball much better and looked most likely to get the first goal. After a few chances when the 'gate front line should done better Carl Rook finally broke the deadlock on 22 minutes when he lashed the ball from the edge of the area with Noel Imber in the hosts goal well beaten. 2 chances fell to the hosts to equalize before Imber made another good save to keep the score @ 0-1 as the first half ended.

Off to the bar we retreated while the teams had their half time oranges we supped pints of Enfield Best on tap at £2.80 a pint from the local Redemption brewery, handsome they were too.

Back into the daylight for the 2nd half and after a shot came back off the post Kezie Ibe was on hand to slot the ball into an empty net for 2-0 on 47 minutes. By now it was almost way traffic with Enfield chasing the game and Margate in full flow. From a corner Rook added he's 2nd when he glanced a header home for 3-0 on 63 minutes, the 'gate threatened to stroll away with the match when they were awarded a penalty. Rook stepped up to complete he's hat trick but was denied by a fine save from Imber to keep the score at 3-0.

A couple of missed changed from the hosts towards the end of the game as the referee blew he's whistle to signal full time. Enfield Town 0-3 Margate.

Time to have 1 last beer in the bar before heading off to the station for the train back to London.

My companion left me at Tottenham Hale to join the Victoria line and I stayed onto Cambridge Heath from where I got the bus to Crossharbour and the DLR back to Lewisham, home by 19.15.

Cold but content. A decent game of football, a very nice ground, another "tick" and a couple of new beers.

Til the next time.....

Worcester City 0-1 Guisley - 23/2/13

A much anticipated trip for me to St George's Lane, Worcester.  With Worcester City committed to leaving their home of 108 years this summer time was running out for me to get there before the bull dozers moved in.

I took the early (and cheap) train from Euston to Birmingham New St getting me into Birmingham just after 10.15am, ready for my connection to Worcester Foregate Street at 10.49. I had time to head into the Wetherspoons on Bennetts Hill, The Briar Rose. The pub was already busy with a mix of football fans and very early ladies who lunch as well as the usual 'spoons crowd.

A quick strong pint later and I was on board the train to Worcester. Off just after 11.30am I took a couple of charity shops in on my way to The Plough, the first of 4 pubs in the city I wanted to get to. From here it was next door to The Farriers Arms (not on my list), but a reasonable pub all the same. Next up was Eagle Vaults, a charming corner plot pub in the centre of town.

Pub number 4 was another on the list The Firefly, just the other side of the centre. A very decent brew pub with a great choice of ales but sadly lacking any customers. By now it was almost 1.30pm and time for lunch, the kebab / chip shop opposite the pub looked very inviting. A large helping of fish cake, saveloy and chips later and it was time for pub another 5. The Postal Order is an old style Wetherspoon's establishment in an ex sorting office, a cracking strong pint of Saddler's, Mud City Stout @ 6.6% certainly hit the spot...now it was time for the match.

Guisley were sitting 2nd in the table but the week before Blue Square Betting had paid out on Chester winning the league due to the gap being 19 points between top and 2nd. Worcester sat 9th but they were slipping down the table.

St George's Lane is an absolute gem of a non-league ground and I was purring with excitement as I paid my admission and entered this fantastic looking arena.

2 open ends 1 behind each goal, a long and very impressive Main Stand and a long open terrace opposite it with a large covered area in the corner

The game started with Guisley in the driving seat with the home defence being the busier trying to keep the irrepressable Lions at bay. Chances came and went with Guisley not being able to break the deadlock. Worcester were fairly toothless but did force a half chance towards the end of the first half.

I wandered around the ground snapping away and smiling to myself as I was so pleased to have seen this ground before the bull dozers came in.
Worcester City 0-0 Guisley @ half time, the crowd of 738 was announced as I retired beneath the main stand to the bar to keep out of the cold and read my programme.

For the 2nd half i decided to sit in the main stand and watch the action from there. St George's Lane really is a fantastic venue, really cannot believe within a couple of months it will be lost forever. A selection of unused Guisley players sat in front of me and were very vocal in their broad Scouse accents when decisions did not go their teams way, some good banter ensued between them and the locals.

This game looked increasingly likely to finish goal less as both teams started to get desperate with the hosts coming close of 2 occasions to breaking the deadlock. Then after a Worcester attack the Lions broke away with James Walshaw carrying the ball forward before unleashing a low shot into the Worcester net, 1-0 on89 minutes..what a way to end the match. Worcester looked heart broken but to be honest the goal had been coming and Guisley looked the stronger and more organised unit all match.

I headed back into town after my very enjoyable time at the ground and was a bit gutted that i had left it so long...my first stopping point was The Dragon Inn on The Tything. 4th and last beer guide pub in Worcester, had a pint finished reading my programme and then headed back into town. I grabbed a quick pint in the Horn & Trumpet, then a subway meal ready for the 18.16 train back to Birmingham New Street.

The train arrived on time and this allowed me around 45 minutes to visit The Post office Vaults just up from New Street station. A very decent under ground bar with a large amount of beers available including a very good German bottled selection.

My last stopping point for a pint after arriving into London slightly early was Mable's Tavern, a Shepherd & Neame pub which is located just off the Euston Road. By now it was gone 10.30pm and the day was taking it's toll on me. I drank up in time to catch the train back to Crofton Park and I was in doors by 11.30pm.

A very long day but rewarding, a new ground for me that is soon to be "lost", 6 new pubs from the beer guide and a rake of new beers...Til the next time.

Walton Casuals 1-2 Faversham Town - 2/2/13

Following my away trip to Scotland the previous weekend I decided I would stay much more local and tick off another ground in the Ryman League Div 1 South.

This weekend was the 2nd February the same day that Dulwich had their match at Horsham called off at the 11th hour due to a "puddle of water" on the pitch, by this time I had already decided that I would make a trip to Walton on Thames to visit one of the last 2 grounds I had to do with my match choice being Walton Casuals vs Faversham.

A train just before 1pm from Clapham Junction had me into Walton On Thames within 25 minutes and saw me marching off to the Old Manor Inn on Manor Road for a pub "tick". A quick pint of Doom Bar later and I was off marching again this time all the way to the Riverside Stadium, home of Walton Casuals FC.

The walk isn't for the non experience walker and after a near 30 minute fast stroll I arrived at the aptly named stadium.

Apart from being a fairly sub standard team these days, the club set up and ground is very good. Covered seating or standing is available in part on all sides, with covered terracing at each end and on the side of the dugouts / where the teams emerge from. On the opposite side to the dug outs is a small covered seated stand. All in all a very tidy ground.

The game was even for the first period with neither team really threatening each others goal. Then after a small bit of sustained pressure which saw Faversham awarded a couple of corners in a row the visitors scored when Maxted netted. Casuals then came back into the match with Sol Patterson-Bonner & Mu Maan (2 recent ex Dulwich players) looking especially lively. It was through the latter that Casuals drew level when Maan took the ball through from the left and drilled it past the keeper to take the game into half time tied.

I retreated to the large and spacious bar, not only to keep warm but also to sample the club house...that was the main reason I promise.

As much as Casuals prodded and probed they couldn't break through the Faversham defence and get that much needed winner. Then with just seconds to go a defensive error by the Casuals cost them the game when Harvey strolled around the keeper and dispatched the ball into an empty net...2-1 to Faversham and the game was over. This was a win that kept the visitors in the play off places and based on their overall team performance today they fully deserve to be in the play off hunt.

Ground number ??? for me and now I only needed Ramsgate to "tick" off in Ryman Div 1 South.

I left the ground and took the long and arduous trek back into "town". I called into the rather attractive looking Wetherspoons pub The Regent on my way. I had forgotten that England were playing rugby that evening on the television so I had to endure "fake" rugby fans shouting at the tele while I supped my pint. Enough was enough so with a train every 30 minutes I headed to the Ashley Park Hotel by the station where I had a decent pint in more pleasant surroundings.

Train caught, a quick change at Clapham Junction and I was back home for 19.30 ish.

Good competitive game of football, another new ground, 1 new pub and back home in time for dinner with the wife.

Til the next time.....

Another Scottish Double Header - Part 2 Aberdeen

I awoke in my Premier Inn bed after a neigh on eleven hour sleep feeling as fresh as a daisy and ready for my long day ahead.

I was dressed, checked out and heading to Greggs the bakers for 11.15am before taking the slow 10 minute walk towards Pittodrie for today's 12.30pm kick off. Today's the Dons would be entertaining Hibs. This would be the 2nd time I had seen these teams against each other in the last 10 months, the last time being at Hampden Park for the 2012 Scottish Cup Semi Final that Hibs won 2-1, here's hoping today's game would be as exciting. Having seen 2 goals at Tannadice the day before albeit in a dire game I was hoping for a much improved SPL match.

The walk from the City Centre to Pittodrie could not be any easier with one road running from the corner of Union St, along King St and into Pittodrie St. I stopped off at the inviting Pittodrie Bar and soaked up the pre match atmosphere with a pint of Belhaven's Best.

My pint finished I headed to the ground with 20 minutes to kick off, the crowd was growly nicely and upon arrival at Pittodrie it was a hive of activity. I take a couple of snaps and then headed off to the club shop.

With 5 minutes to kick off I paid my £23.00 and entered the ground at the Merkland Road entrance bringing me on the South Stand which is now an all seated and most covered area running the length of the pitch opposite the old fashioned Main Stand. The impressive Richard Donald stand faces the Merkland Family Stand behind each goal. This stand is named after the late chairman Mr Richard Donald with seating for just over 6,000 it also has 12 executive boxes. A little fact for you now this was the first all-seated stadium in Britain.

On a bitterly cold afternoon I choose a seat halfway up the terracing but not far enough up to be sheltered from the cold...it was blinking freezing, much colder than Dundee the day before.

The game started and it was clear from the off that this was going to be a close game and of few chances, the pitch appearing to be bobbly. Leigh Griffiths's every touch was greeted with boos, why I am unsure I know it's a t**t and can easily be targeted as a hate figure for the opposing fans but unsure if the booing stemmed from anything more than this!

The game ebbed and flowed with Aberdeen having plenty of success down the left with Peter Pawlett and Jonny Hayes probing and prodding. In the 11th minute Aberdeen should of taken the lead when after Tim Clancy had brought Johnny Hayes down in the box, Niall McGinn's penalty was well saved by Hibs keeper Ben Williams.

10 minutes later and Joe Shaughnessy sent in a looping header for Pawlett to head towards goal but the ball drifted over the top of the Hibs crossbar.

As the half wore off Gavin Rae was pulling the strings in the middle for the Dons. On the half hour mark Hayes had a good chance from the edge of the Hibs box but took a fresh-air swipe at the ball & the momentum was lost. Ben Williams then pulled off a superb save to keep the score level on the stroke of half time from a Robertson effort that came from outside the box.

By now even though I was well wrapped up the tiredness was kicking in from the day before and I was freezing, with the North Sea coming in behind the stand to the right there was nowhere to hide from the wind.

The 2nd half started pretty much as the first ended by the Dons could not find a breakthrough, though Leigh Griffiths could have opened the scoring for the visitors when he broke free inside the Dons penalty area but hesitated and failed to make more of the effort as Jamie Langfield smothered the ball. Aberdeen then responded with a sustained period of possession & pressure that failed to produce an opener, although Rae should have done better with a close-range effort after good work down the wing. Then on 60 minutes Isaac Osbourne unleashed a shot towards the Hibs goal that drifted wide, before Shaughnessy forced a save out of Williams with a pile driver of his own.

The last half and hour drifted by with both teams creating chances but none worthy of winning this game and the referee blew to signal a 0-0 draw the home fans were not amused.

I headed out of Pittodrie towards the University for a couple of pints in the St Machar Bar. A lovely little bar sat at the top end of the University in a real picturesque part of town. I watched the first half of the St Mirren vs Celtic League Cup Semi Final and left at half time to head back to town for food. On arrival back into town I went in the Wig & gown for a pint and some grub, but even though the menu stated food served everyday the girl behind the bar informed they don’t serve food at weekends! I stopped here and watched the match with a big grin on my face as St Mirren knocked Celtic out to claim a place in the cup final.

After a quick pit stop at KFC I made my way down Union St before stopping for a pint in The Howff, a locals bar hidden downstairs from the shopping High St. My bus was due at 18.30 for me to make a pit stop in the Wetherspoons @ the airport before my flight at 20.40.

My last beer in Aberdeen was a stunning strong number in the Brew Dog bar on Gallowgate before a short walk to the bus stop for the airport bus. All had gone extremely well this weekend until I arrived at the airport to find that my plane had been delayed for an hour and half! Oh well at least I could stay in the Wetherspoons until my flight was called, wrong! Halfway through my 2nd pint at exactly 20.30 one of the staff came round to say the bar was closing, oh dear what a pain. The flight actually departed around 21.45 so not as late as first expected but this got my back into Gatwick once my last train had left from East Croydon meaning I either went into London Bridge and came out again or I forked out for a taxi from East Croydon back home, I chose this option and by 01.15am I was back home after a cracking but long weekend.

In summary my latest weekend to Scotland had me take in 2 games, 2 new grounds, I saw 2 goals, drank in 16 new pubs and 17 new beers not a bad weekend!

Til the next time

 

Another Scottish Double Header - Part 1 Dundee United

Back in early December I looked at the Scottish fixtures to see if there were any decent games I could make for a day trip, so imagine my surprise when I saw that Aberdeen were hosting Hibs on a Sunday at the end of Jan and that the day before Dundee United were to play Ross County both in the SPL, 2 new grounds for me.

Easyjet return from Gatwick and a night in Aberdeen at the Premier Inn was quickly booked.

A few frantic days before Saturday ensured as snow battered the UK and football games were postponed left right and centre. The morning of my flight came and after roping the wife in to driving me to East Croydon station for a train to Gatwick I arrived in Aberdeen at 8.40am as planned, and boy was there snow about!

The airport bus into town had me plotted up in the Archibald Simpson (Spoons) pub and a breakfast inside me by 10am. I chanced my arm at the hotel that I could check in early but to no avail so off I went to pub number 2, Aitchies Ale House near the station. Cracking little pub and after a very good dark beer and a chat with a couple of patrons I was off to catch the 11.43 train to Dundee.

This was this furthest north I had been so I spent the train journey watching the scenery go by as the train stopped at Montrose & Arbroath before arriving into Dundee just before 12.50pm. Off I went to the first of the four pubs I wanted to tick off from the good beer guide.

First port of call was The Phoenix Bar on Nethergate, a real decent bar that was pretty full, from here it was off to Dukes Corner, a huge bar and restaurant just laying back from the main road. I then made me way to the bus stop for the 10 minute journey to Tannadice Street. I have been to both Dens Park & Tannadice twice before but have never seen  a game at either ground.

With snow covering the pavements all the fans making their way to the match were treading very carefully, though United had cleared all snow around the entrances. I paid my £19.00 and entered the Eddie Thompson stand lower tier. The ground was slowly filling up which gave me time to take a couple of snaps of the stands.

3 of the stands look a lot newer than the Jim Mclean stand that runs down the length of the pitch and acts as the Main Stand with some executive boxes. My view from the Eddie Thompson stand was perfect even though I prefer to watch my football from the side of the pitch and not from behind the goals. Really not a lot to say about the game, certainly not in the 1st half which ended 0-0 with the closest either team coming to a goal was when Gavin Gunning's close-range header from a Barry Douglas free-kick hit the side netting for the hosts in the first minute.

Into the 2nd half and the game improved slightly (not really by much) with the hosts pushing for a goal and this duly came on 52 minutes when  a good passage of play between captain Daly & the diminutive Johnny Russell resulted in a 20 yard curler into the keepers right hand side by Gary Mackay Steven, 1-0 to the Arabs. From here they kicked on for a 2nd but they almost paid the ultimate price when Ivan Sproule fresh from he's 2 goal salvo in Paisley the week before burst through and from just 8 yards out passed a weak effort towards goal that Cierzniak palmed away for a corner.

Another effort from Sproule then followed as both teams opened up slightly, still this was a poor advert for the SPL. Then on 82 minutes following good work down United's left Ross County's captain and really their best player by a long chalk Richard Brittan popped up with a 20 yard screamer that left the United custodian with no a hope of keeping it out of the net 1-1. The remaining time was played out with the Arabs pushing and Ross settling for a point and the whistle blew on 94 minutes to a chorus of boos aimed at Peter Houston and he's management team from the home faithful. 1-1 the final score and within 5 minutes I was back on the bus into town for just over an 90 minutes worth of drinking before my train left for the Granite city.

Having ticked off 2 of the 4 Camra British Beer Guide 2013 pubs in Dundee before the game I headed to The Counting House, a large Wetherspoons on the corner of Reform Street. Very standard 'spoons pub, busy with a couple of decent ales on as to be expected. My blackberry had died so I took the opportunity and used their electricity while I drank my pint. 3 down 1 to go and the one I saved for last was the Bank Bar on Union St, with this being closest to the station it gave me time to have a pint before grabbing some food for the journey. A cracking little pub the Bank Bar, full of character and definitely worth popping in for a pint in you're in Dundee!

The train arrived promptly at 18.43 and with my quarter pound cheese burger inside me I settled down for the journey back to Aberdeen. A swift 10 minutes walk back to the Premier Inn and within half an hour I was changed and freshened up ready for the first of the 4 pubs I wanted to do that evening.

The first of the 4 was the Old Blackfriars opposite the Archibald Simpson from earlier. Food orientated pub that had a decent acoustic guitarist playing but he was rather drowned out by the chatter of the patrons. Next port of call the Prince of Wales tucked away down a side street off of Union Street. Another very good pub with plenty of real ale choice. 3rd pub of the night was Under The Hammer on North Silver Street, as the name suggests the name came about due to the pubs close proximity to an auction house, which is just above this basement bar. Very busy with standing room only and a couple of decent ales on tap.

The last pub of the evening and the 10th of the day was The Grill on Union St, the main drag through the centre of town. Strange looking bar from the outside as it looks closed but inside it was very much open and at 10.30pm on a Saturday night the place was heaving.

With my eyelids starting to close it was time for me to head back to the hotel as the day had been long and busy. Excellent day all told and tomorrow I was off to Pittodrie for the SPL game against Hibs.

Part 2 to follow....

Day trip to Witham

With Dulwich Hamlet playing down on the Kent coast at Folkestone Invicta coupled with having a family meal booked for mid evening I decide to forgo a Dulwich away day for a trip to Witham in Essex.

Having never been to Witham Town before this was to be another new ground for me and help towards completing the Ryman League North division, a bit of added spice was that their game was a local derby against Heybridge Swifts. With having to be back home at a certain time I decided to drive. Even though the A12 was relatively clear the door to door journey still took me 90 minutes, this was via a stop at a very good chip shop in Witham High Street which had me arriving at the Spicer McColl Stadium at 14.50.

I parked up and paid my £8.00 entrance fee (no free entry for me today) and was stunned to be told by the lad behind the turnstile that all the programmes had been sold, he then went on to tell me this was strange as there were normally loads left.

This match was 9th vs 2nd with Heybridge being the top scores in all 3 Ryman leagues having bagged 67 goals in just 22 league games.
Witham started the game very brightly and had a number of efforts on goal without really troubling Nicky Eyre in the Swifts goal. While at the other end you would never of known the visitors were the higher placed team of the two as the Witham defence held firm. A decent half that ended goalless. With the assistance of the very help club president George Vale I managed to get a team sheet and then on the way to the bar at half time I spied a home programme from November when Witham hosted Potters Bar Town & Ware in a 3 day period.
 

After a warming cup of coffee the 2nd half started, Heybridge had a good spell with the home keeper having to dive down low to make a good save. The rest of the half played out much the same as the 1st except for a large and loud penalty shout for the hosts that the referee waved away without a 2nd thought. A few minutes of added time was played before the referee blew he's whistle to end the contest which finished goalless. The result left both teams in the same league positions as the start of the match. Even with their biggest crowd of the season of 147 I am sure it was Heybridge  that went home the happy team of the 2 leaving with a point gained instead of a loss especially as Maldon could only draw 0-0 at home.

On the way out of the ground I spied that someone had left their programme at the turnstile so I bagged this as I left and returned to the car.

Once in the warmth of the car my journey back to South East London was just an hour with the M25 & Dartford Tunnel being clear, having me indoors with enough time for a sit down and a cup of tea before heading out with the family.

A pleasant day in Essex was had with ground number 318 in the bag.

Til the next time….

Scottish Double Header - Part 2 Dunfermline

After a busy & long day & night in Glasgow and Motherwell the day before we decided to meet in reception for 9.15am for our departure to Edinburgh on the Saturday morning. A decent nights sleep was had and all was going well, shower, packing and a quick bit of tv until the fire alarm went off in the hotel just before 9am. Confusion and extremely poor organisation had me standing at the back of the hotel waiting in the cold along with another 40 or so guests to be told what was happening. Within 5 minutes the fire brigade had arrived and another 5 minutes after this we were allowed back into the hotel...god only knows where the fire was or what had happened as no-one explained anything....oh well no real harm done.

We left the hotel and walked via Gregg's to Queen Street, bought the train tickets to Edinburgh and boarded the 9.45am for the 45 minute journey. Now as I said in Part 1, my plan was to head back from Edinburgh to Livingston for their game vs Greenock Morton while my companion was going to Tynecastle. I've never been to Livingston and I don't want to offend anyone locals but having mapped and then mapped Livingston again there seems to be nothing there apart from the football ground and an outlet centre..well and 2 Wetherspoon pubs that nearly lured me in. Being a new town and a new'ish ground I was really fighting my reasons for being stuck there when I managed to get wifi on the train and via BBC Sport found that Dunfermline Athletic were at home to Cowdenbeath. A local derby and only 30 mins on the train from Waverley to Dunfermline Town station....decision made I was now going to Dunfermline!

This meant I could have several hours in Edinburgh ticking off more pubs from Beer Guide. We disembarked at Haymarket and walked the 15 mins down Dalry Road to Tynecastle so Mick could get he's match ticket aswell as a programme for me. From here we went to Diggers as the first of the pubs in the guide and the nearest to Tynecastle. Being so close this place apparently gets absolutely packed to bursting on a match day so 11.15 am was a good call. Cracking pub with a really good range of memorabilia on the walls including that great image of Dave Mackay (Hearts legend) grabbing Billy Bremner by the throat during a Spurs-Leeds game in the 70s. Another pint of creamy Scottish ale was sunk and we headed off in search of the next pub.

This was Thomson's a small 1 bar pub on Morrison Street heading towards the castle. We arrived just before noon and had to wait until noon as it wasn't open for service until then. Another new pub and another new ale was ticked off. A very friendly bar maid who was expressing her disgust that her pub had been omitted from the 2013 version of the guide and they had not been informed, we humoured her as of course we didn't know why they were not in the new guide.

From here we walked in an almost straight line to the Blue Blazer on the corner of Bread Street & Spittal Street. This is a cracking little pub with some great ales on, I had a pint of  Eden Breweries Seggie Porter as it was the first dark beer I had seen that morning and it was superb, this is a pub that I will be coming back to.  By now I only had an hour before the 13.48 to Dunfermline so we headed towards Waverley and past the Bow Bar which we would come back to in the evening. Right by the station was the Doric Arch so we popped in for one. Despite not being in the guide the pub was pleasant enough but was very empty.

I walked down to Waverley and having arranged to meet Mick in the Halfway House just up the Flesh Market steps at around 17.40 I boarded the train for the 30 minute journey to Dunfermline Town station. A short walk across the park and through a lovely residential area brought me to the corner of the ground. East End Park sits slap bang on the main road to Cowdenbeath and looms above everything close to it and opposite houses.

The ticket office was in the corner of the ground between the main stand and the Norrie McCathie stand named after one of the Pars most famous players. £16.00 bought me a seat in the main stand. I went into the club shop to see if they had a fridge magnet as requested by Mick, they didn't but I did get a programme. Once inside the ground I was met with sight of 2 identical sides one behind each goal. The home end is already mentioned named after a Pars Legend. The away end had a smattering of Cowdenbeath fans but nowhere as many as I expected them to bring.

It was cold in the ground as the wind came in at either end and the start of the match had me huddling in my coat with my hands in my pockets as I really started to feel the cold, being tired obviously wasn't helping.

The game was slow to get started but it was the hosts with all of the chances and they deservedly took the lead on 28 minutes through Joe Cardle. Then a strange incident happened, a challenge with a Pars players saw Cowdenbeath Player Manager Colin Cameron collide in the middle of the park with the referee, while this looked harmless this enough this incident was to play a major part later in the game. With the hosts 1-0 up Cowdenbeath pushed on and tried to get their equaliser before half time but it just wouldn't come. So 1-0 at half time it was.

I moved from one side of the Main Stand to the other as I was so cold and I wanted more bodies around me, this did the trick as I instantly warmed up. The 2nd half started a whole 35 minutes late as the referee had gone off injured at half time due to he's collision with Cameron during the 1st half. One of the assistant referee's had taken the whistle but after numerous announcements for a qualified referee or linesman to take over a chap in a Dunfermline tracksuit emerged and the game finally started.

I wanted to get the 17.15 train so with the start of the 2nd half starting so late I left the ground with just under 20 minutes to go and the score still at 1-0 to the Pars. I made the train and once I was sat on my way back to Edinburgh I saw there had been 2 further goals & the hosts had triumphed 3-0. Of the 70 minutes I saw I'd say this was a fair result and. Though my visit to Dunfermline had been brief it was extremely enjoyable but I had 2 more pubs to tick off my list back in the capital.

I arrived back just before 17.45 and made my way to The Halfway House just mid way up the Fleshmarket Steps, a lovely atmospheric pub that resembles someones living room. My companion arrived from Tynecastle a few minutes after me and a pint later we were making the 10 minute walk to the Bow Bar on West Bow, this was the last pub of the day for us and what an absolute cracker it is. A huge choice of Whiskies and a really good selection of ales had me trying another new beer from a Scottish Brewery.

With the time being nearly 7pm, we went back to Waverley station and caught the bus to the airport.

A quick pint in the 'spoons airside was had while the queue was forming waiting for the plane that was around half an hour late. The plan landed at Gatwick just 10 minutes later than scheduled and after a dash to the station I managed to get my connection from East Croydon that got me home just around 11.30pm.

I was absolutely knackered but a great 2 days in Scotland, 2 decent games of football with plenty of drama, 2 new grounds and the added bonus of 13 new pubs.

Til the next time....

Scottish Double Header - Part 1 Motherwell

After a conversation a few weeks previously with a like minded chap at Dulwich who collects the Scottish grounds I booked myself a flight to Glasgow on Friday 26th October with a return the following night from Edinburgh.

On the Friday I was to take in Motherwell vs. Hibernian in the SPL for one of their Friday night games with a Saturday game the following day before flying back from Edinburgh.

My flight was booked with Easyjet for the 8.50 from Stansted to Glasgow International. The day before the wife had kindly decided to take the Friday off so that she could drive me to Stansted and thus save me an hour in bed.

We departed home just after 6.40am and after hitting a bit of traffic at the Blackwall Tunnel I pulled up outside the set down point at Stansted at 7.50am giving me enough time for my flight.
An on time flight had me leaving the plane at around 10am and into Paisley town centre for 20 past.

I had 3 pubs on my list to tick off in Paisley but unfortunately I didn't manage to do any. After a quick wander round town I arrived at the Wee Howff only to find it still closed, I then wandered around to the Bull Inn but was greeted with a large scaffold board outside the front of the pub that was well and truly sealed off to the public. My last choice was the Last Post, Wetherspoons back by Gilmour Street station but as it was only 10.45 by now they were not serving alcohol until 11am. With this I decided to head into Glasgow, so I went across the road and boarded the train into Central Station.

I was a tad disappointed as I left Central Station and walked across to the Horseshoe Bar on Drury Street, I had been in Scotland well over an hour and hadn't achieved anything yet! However the Horseshoe changed all of that. I had a very good pint, watched a bit of Sky Sports News and admired the decorative tiles (picture below). Pub number 1 ticked off.
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My hotel was a few minutes walk on Ingram Street so I stopped off on route at The Counting House which is a huge ex bank on the corner of St George Square that is now home to a Wetherspoons. The beer festival was one so from a choice of 16 pumps I choose a Lithuanian beer that was new to me which I supped while sitting and fiddling with the internet making full use of their free wifi.

I checked into the hotel and decided that the rest of my day on my own would involve ticking off more pubs in the area from the beer guide. My next port of call was The Blackfriars followed by The Babbity Bowster both of which are close to each other in the Merchant City area. The Babbity Bowster is possibly one of the finest pubs I have ever visited, it's an absoulete gem and well worth a trip if you are in that side of Glasgow. From here I went back to Buchanan St and boarded the clock work orange round to the West of the city at Hillhead.

Out the station and down Byers Road brought me to Tennants (number 4 on my list) where I had the choice 12 ales...love these pubs with a load of choice. After a decent pint I made my way to the last pub in the area being The Three Judges just at the bottom of Byers Road just on Dumbarton Road. Another good selection of ales had me choosing my 5th new beer of the day from this cracking little corner pub.

By this time it was almost 4.45pm and the text had come through to say that my football companion had arrived into Glasgow and was on the bus towards the hotel so I hastily made my way back onto the clock work orange round to the hotel. A local friend of my companion had also meet us after finishing work and the 3 of us made our way to the Blane Valley on Glassford St for a couple of pre match pints.

An hour later and we were on the train from Argyle Street to Motherwell for tonights football encounter. The friend left us a few stops before Hamilton and we continued on our own before disembarking at Airbles for the short walk to Fir Park.

Ground number 313 for me tonight. Fir Park is a tidy ground and there looked to be a fair crowd gathering for the match. A programme was obtained, we wandered around the club shop and then paid our £18.00 entrance into the stand opposite the Main Stand ready for the game.

Both teams were coming off the back of away defeats in the league. Motherwell losing the previous Sunday at Hearts while Hibs had been beaten by the odd goal in 5 at Ross County on the Saturday.

Both teams started well and it was the home side with Michael Higdon leading the line that nearly took the lead only for the final touch to let them down. Slowly Hibs came into the game with Leigh Griffiths and David Wotherspoon looking particuley menacing in the final third. On 28 minutes Hibs took the lead when Wotherspoon picked the ball up 20 odd yards from goal and drilled a cracking shot past ex Charlton 'keeper Randolph in the well net. The score remained like this to half time with Hibs shading the first half but not offering to run away with it!

The rain held off but it was blinking cold sat in the stand opposite the Min Stand as the wind seemed to whip in from the pitch, the hands and fingers going bluer and bluer...how I wished I had brought my gloves.

The 2nd half played out much the same as the first with both teams creating chances but Motherwell just not doing enough to bring an equaliser. Then a long raking ball was played for Griffiths to chase, he outpaced Fraser Kerr who was having a torid time at the heart of the 'Well defence and while he was going away from goal Randolph came out and made a stupid challenge that he really didn't need to make and the ref gave a penalty. Up stepped Griffiths and drilled the ball low to Randolph's left and into the net...2-0 on 64 mins.

Motherwell soon had an excellent chance to halve their deficit when James McPake was penalised for climbing all over Higdon. Up stepped Higdon and he cannoned the ball off the top of the bar and straight into the crowd behind! The groans and moans around me were getting louder and louder, then minutes later the 3rd penalty was awarded this time for Hibs when Wotherspoon was tripped just inside the box (however having now seen this on sky replays, it clearly was outside the box...another soft decision by Stevie O'Reilly who to be honest wasn't having he's best game). Griffiths stepped up again and beat Randolph with a near copycat penalty..3-0 and there as to now only be 1 winner.

The game was halted while the referee left the pitch and was replaced by one of the assistants. As the game wore on and the home fans started to leave in their droves a 4th goal was had as Handling tapped in from a couple of yards to round off a thoroughly convincing 2nd half performance. The 1500 Hibs fans celebrated as they should having seen their team smash Motherwell at Fir Park.

Myself and my companion made our way into the cold night air and off in search of the only 'spoons in town, up near the station. A wrong turn and half an hour walk later we arrived into the relative solitude of The Brandon Works. A couple of pints from the beer festival menu and it was time for the last train back to Glasgow. We wandered down to Trongate and had a pint in Maggie Mays before arriving back at the hotel for a pint in the bar before turning in for the night.

Tomorrow we were off to Edinburgh and I as planning on going to Livingston for their game with Greennock Morton while Mick was going to Tynecastle for the match with Ross County...there was however to be a last minute change for one of us....part 2 to follow shortly.....

A busy couple of weeks....

has seen me take in 3 games, 1 new ground and a beer festival!

With Dulwich Hamlet out of the FA Cup Saturday 29th September was left free enabling me to pick a game at a new ground. After some deliberation I decided the game would be St Albans City vs. Arlesey Town in the FA Cup and this would also allow me to take in the St Albans beer festival on the same day...double result!

I left home just after 10am and after changing at London Blackfrairs I disembarked at St Albans station bang on 11am. A short walk into town brought me to the Alban Arena where the 17th St Albans Beer Festival had been running since the Wednesday. Free entry was obtained due to me being a member of Camra, my first use of my membership and it saved me £4.00. The hall was relatively empty which gave me a chance to study the programme and seek out the beers I wanted to sample more than others. After sampling 9 new beers from a mix of breweries including Alecraft, Tring & Blue Monkey. I was asked to do a brief interview for the new series of The Apprentice that they were filming on the day as one of the tasks they had was to brew, market and sell a real ale. Their effort was called A Bitter This and was brewed with using a Terry's Chocolate orange, different but not bad at all.

As the clock approached 14.20 I made my way to Clarence Park for the match.

A 10 minute walk later and I was at the home of St Albans City FC. The ground sits right next to a park is hemmed in on 1 side by the railway but it's a very pleasant setting with an interesting main stand and open terracing at the 2 ends.



Having seen Arlesey beat Dulwich in the FA Trophy the week before I knew what to expect and with them sitting one place below St Albans in the table the game promised to be entertaining.A bright but slightly chilly day had brought the St Albans fans out in large numbers and the game started with the hosts pushing for an early goal. That goal duly arrived on 18 minutes courtesy of David Ujah who stabbed the ball home following a ball into the box. Arlsesy then went up the other end and when the diminutive Drew Roberts was tripped in the box he got up and dispatched the penalty home on 22 minutes. The score remained this way until half time.

The second period started slowly but with some St Albans pressure and a good move saw the ball fed back for Shields to fire in a shot on goal which required a good save from Nathan Abbey in the Arlesey goal.
The visitors were then awarded a free kick about 30 yards out as Roberts was again fouled but he put his free kick just over the bar.
The evergreen Barry Hayles was replaced as the hosts tried to break the Arlesey defence down and regain the lead. However a few moments after the change Arlesey made a swift break and a ball forward found Roberts on the edge of the area in space, this allowed him to send a low cross past the keeper for Dillon at the far post and duly smashed the ball into the roof of the net to give Arlesey the lead.

As the game wore on the hosts pushed for an equaliser but it just wouldn't come enabling Arlesey to hang on for the win and a place in the next round.

A decent game played at a good pace in a cracking venue, why Clarence Park has eluded me for so long god only knows. From the ground I walked back to the Alban Arena for another few new beers before boarding the 7pm train back to London. After sampling a total of 14 new beers I arrived back home for 8pm and another good day watching non league football.

Saturday 6th October saw Dulwich back to league action and hosting the current league leaders Folkestone Invicta. A cagey first half saw both team leave the pitch locked at 0-0 but Erhun Oztumer scored a screamer on 54 minutes to put 'Hamlet in the lead then he grabbed he's 2nd on 76 minutes when Delo in the Folkestone goal brought down Nyren Clunis for a soft penalty, duly dispatched with aplomb by the small Turkish forward. This was Folkestone first league defeat of the season and was a good 3 points for Dulwich to bring a run of 3 defeats to an end.

Tuesday 9th October and my last game of the of a 10 day period saw me arrive at King Georges Field for Corithian Casuals v Dulwich Hamlet. A halve of many chances saw another incredible miss from a Casuals player as the half ended when faced with an open goal after good work down the right saw the ball squirm after and off the pitch. 0-0 at HT. Dulwich continued the 2nd half the same way but just couldn't force a goal, a superb save from the Casuals keeper when he clawed the ball away when it was almost in the net kept the game goalless, this was until the 82nd minute when the ball was header over Dulwich's makeshift keeper, a young lad drafted in last minute from Tottenham's youth team and into the net for the only goal of the game.
A disappointing defeat when it should have been 3 points but a draw would of been okay as well.

I trudged back to South East London to prepare myself for Saturday's visit to Maidstone Untied for my first game at their new stadium.

Til the next time....

FA Cup duty with the ‘Hamlet

Saturday 22^nd September and the sun was shining as I left my house just after 10am for the short journey into London Kings Cross ready for the 11.23 train to Peterborough with Arlesey being my destination.

Dulwich Hamlet had been drawn away to Arlesey Town of the Evo Stick Southern Premier, in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. This was to be the first competitive match between the 2 clubs and with the hosts currently sitting just outside a play off position after a start of won 5, drawn 1 and lost 2 this was going to be a tough game.

7 of us boarded the 11.23 for the 36 minute journey up the tracks to just north of Hitchin. The route to the ground from the station would see us visit all 4 pubs in the village & by 12.05 we were inside the first one The Old Oak. A large Greene King owned pub with the usual selection on draught from which a swift decent pint of Old Speckled Hen was had before the short walk to the renamed Vicar’s Inn (formerly the Vicar’s Inn, then the Steam Engine) . This is the only pub in the village that features in the Great British Beer Guide & has done for the last few years. A very homely little pub that rather disappointingly only had 2 real ales on draught. We all opted for a pint of Cornish Buccaneer from The Wooden Hand Brewery in Cornwall.

Just after 1pm we were on our way again and this time the destination was The White Horse, a good 10 minutes walk from the Vicar’s Inn and more into the village. Another large Greene King chain pub again with the usual fare but they had a guest beer on which was Farriers Best from The Coach House Brewery, a beer I had sampled before but still a nice pint. After watching 20 minutes of the live game on Sky in the back bar it was onto pub number 4. By this time the peloton of 3 were catching us up as they had left the Vicar’s and had by passed the White Horse. Pub number 4 was The True Briton a free house nestled just off Hitchin Road in a residential area.

The pub was okay but very quiet, the pub’s dog was more friendly than the barman but the Brain’s IPA pint was good and the pork scratchings were even better. Within 10 minutes the peloton were upon us after a quick phone call to check our whereabouts and our numbers had swelled. Arlesey Town’s aptly named Armadillo stadium was just a stroll away and we were inside their smart looking clubhouse by 2.30pm.

As well as Dulwich’s first visit to Arlesey Town it was also mine. A very tidy new ground with 2 open terraces, one behind each goal, a half length covered stand complete with seats on the Main Stand side, with a long covered terrace opposite behind the dug outs and oddly half of this terrace also had blue seats installed but no completed, not sure it was meant to be left like this!

Looking down the Arlesey team sheet it showed at least 6 ex Luton Town and league players one of them Sol Davis who played over 300 leagues games for the Hatters & Swindon Town before drifting into non league football. They also had Nathan Abbey in goal another ex Hatter who is assistant manager to he’s brother Zema.

The hosts started the game in control but were soon out muscled in the centre of the park by Vernon Francis and Peter Adeniyi. The Hamlet had a couple of half chances but only 1 produced a save from Abbey. Then on 43 minutes the crowd of just over 150 witnessed one of the worst open goal misses they will ever see. After a corner for Dulwich the ball was punted up to the half way line where Drew Roberts was waiting with a defender glued to him, as the ball dropped said defender slipped and Roberts went away with the ball, Lewis Gonsalves was beaten leaving Roberts with just our youth team keeper to beat which he did with ease by rounding him on the edge of the box only to then smash the ball with he’s right boot onto the bar and out of play….absolute classic miss which left the match goalless as the players trudged off for half time.

A quick bottle of Abbot Ale Special reserve was had in the bar while catching up on the league half times.

The 2^nd half started with the hosts back in control and they should of taken the lead when Roberts crashed a free kick onto the bar midway through the half. A spate of booking for Dulwich followed but no real chances were fashioned. As the game moved into stoppage team and both teams looked like they would do it all over again on Tuesday at Champion Hill, Dulwich conceded a needless free kick just outside the 18 yard box. As the ball was repelled by the defence it fell nicely to Roberts who cut in from the right and unleashed a rocket in the top corner to all but hand victory to Arlesey. Another 4 or 5 minutes was played and it was all Dulwich pressure, a free kick was crossed in but everyone missed it then the best chance of the match fell to Kevin James who was just over 6 yards out with only the keeper to beat but he miscued he’s shot and I caught it in the crowd…less than a minute later and the referee blew he’s whistle signaling that Dulwich were out of their 2^nd cup competition in a week both away defeats!

The ground quickly emptied of Dulwich fans and after bagging a crafty lift from a good natured local 5 of us were back in pub one The Old Oak. 2 pints later we boarded the 18.24 back to Kings Cross ending our adventure to Hertfordshire.

Ground number 310 for me today and as Dulwich have no game next Saturday I will be heading off to another new ground and possibly more adventures…

Til the next time….