Two nil or not two nil
275 wordsEspecially after PFH said “I bet you don’t go if it rains”, we made the arduous trek to Stratford to watch Leamington play them. After some early wavering, Steve came too.
It all seemed terribly grand at first — police bollards, stewards directing traffic down local side-streets (just like when we went to see West Brom, and someone put Debbie’s side window through), turnstiles, even “STFC” built into the wrought iron gate — but at the end of the day, it’s just a patch of grass with some white lines on it and a low fence around the side. Brakes’ PA is better too.
The attendance of 562 eclipsed anything Stratford has seen for years, prompting Leamington’s noisy choir to sing “How’s it feel to see a crowd?” among many other gently witty chants, including the title to this entry. The hubristic “We’re top of the table and having a laugh” made me feel a bit uncomfortable: pride comes before a fall.
Steve received a text message from Rich, accusing us of being “glory hunters”, Brakes being “the Chelsea of the Midland Alliance”.
Stratford gave a tougher game than Rocester did, but never really looked dangerous. They can’t have been helped by the fierce intra-team arguing that went on. We thought for a moment that two of the Stratford players would set upon each other, making Stratford the Newcastle of the Midland Alliance — but they must have saved that for after the match.
Final score: 3-1 to Brakes, leaving us clear at the top of the table and, I suppose, having a laugh.
I imagine the supporters’ association will have a proper match report here in due course.
August 24th, 2005 at 11:34
Midland Alliance away fixtures?
That’s hardcore.
August 24th, 2005 at 12:35
It *is* hardcore, but it’s worth noting that it’s 12 miles from Leamington to Stratford.
I doubt we’ll make the 76 mile slog to Biddulph Victoria.
Handy mileage chart.