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Whilst killing time before kick off having failed to find a suitable watering hole we were lamenting the disappearance of Tracey's match reports that used to grace the pages of this and the old dot org site. (hope you're well by the way), so suitably enthused and confused, I thought I'd have a go.
Blimey -a blast from the past -a terrace, and a programme with Alec Stock in it and proper fans (even if the Yeovil mascots were really Prem fans ( favourite player Steven Gerrard anyone?), set up for a brilliant day -and yet, it wasn't quite.
For a start, to what extent is it essential to be tanked up to enjoy football? Thanks to a very early and cautious queuing policy at the Arrow and the lack of suitable establishments that were walkable (though we did try), the only fuel we had was a bottle of some foreign pop from Asda. Another frustration was the beer tent by the ground that we gazed at longingly. Didn't seriously expect to get in there, but in retrospect, why on earth not. The "bouncers" on the gate seemed competent, the atmosphere was friendly, in this day and age its very sad th football carrys with it an acceptance of such discrimination -. Trouble makers are pretty obvious -would already be tanked up by that time and could simply be refused admission. It seemed to me that the R's support was really flat (lack of roof a factor) and the most fervent stuff was coming from the small number of seated R's to our left. I found the pre-match atmosphere rather odd but welcome all the same -very few police, everyone friendly and helpful no matter what colours they wore and set up for a really good game -odd that we are the giants to kill. In spite of my lack of inches I could actually see (last time I was on a terrace I think I was on my Dad's shoulders) but was fearing the last minute rush from the pub. It never really happened, except for one noisy bunch -noticeably none in colours, who, of course ended right by us. First major grouse -why is it necessary for drunken yobs to hurl abuse at people hundreds of yards away whilst gesticulating at them, then insult one of your own team, then pick an argument with anyone around you before deciding that the same people are potentially your new best friend? Embarrassing really and thankfully calmed down by stewards.
Anyway, the game - first half relatively even, job done in quelling the naive enthusiasm of the underdog and we seemed about to "score in a minute". It was good to see just what a good player Dunne is up close and even the odder selections seemed to be working. Jenas also impressed.
A thought about Phillips - touted by some as the ideal man to replace Bobby Z as the butt of the Boo boys ( honestly guys, what is the point?). Is an effect of the broken arm a loss of balance and confidence in tight situations - is he still at least mentally, carrying the injury?
Anyway, he was one of many whose contributions began to become embarrassing in the second half -thank goodness the reception he got was mainly positive when he was injured.
Lets be honest, we rode our luck in the second half. Just before Charlie won the penalty there was an incident that could have seen him sent off. Having been booked earlier (and that one looked bad), I thought he did an Ashley when he hooked his leg round the defender and fell into the box. Could easlily have been a booking and off. By the way -I though Gavin Ward was a more than fair ref -is he available every week?
Still, Charlie could be on the edge of cult status -he battles against the odds -that's what won the penalty and a good move for him to take it. Some sort of help /back-up is surely on the cards this week?
The best bit of the Yeovil assault that followed the goal was the giant sub, Ngoo, who surely should be slam dunking, is clearly not meant to be a footballer, but just as clearly would score, or at least set up an equaliser. But he didn't. It really was meant to be.
So an odd game -a win, but more about relief than satisfaction, as it has been every game.
Journey home took us through new pastures due to the accident -hopefully everyone was OK? Trouble was we had to listen to even more Robby Savage nonsense. Still, we won.
One thing, unlike the Yeovil mascots, I don't have, nor ever will have a second team. But if I did, Yeovil would be a contender. Seriously hope they stay up - cos their fans and players deserve it, and we might be able to get in the Arrow next year if the worst comes to the worst. (actually, maybe days out like this are way better than all the Premier league nonsense anyway).
M of M for us - Richard Dunne, followed by Rob Green.
Up the R's.
Blimey -a blast from the past -a terrace, and a programme with Alec Stock in it and proper fans (even if the Yeovil mascots were really Prem fans ( favourite player Steven Gerrard anyone?), set up for a brilliant day -and yet, it wasn't quite.
For a start, to what extent is it essential to be tanked up to enjoy football? Thanks to a very early and cautious queuing policy at the Arrow and the lack of suitable establishments that were walkable (though we did try), the only fuel we had was a bottle of some foreign pop from Asda. Another frustration was the beer tent by the ground that we gazed at longingly. Didn't seriously expect to get in there, but in retrospect, why on earth not. The "bouncers" on the gate seemed competent, the atmosphere was friendly, in this day and age its very sad th football carrys with it an acceptance of such discrimination -. Trouble makers are pretty obvious -would already be tanked up by that time and could simply be refused admission. It seemed to me that the R's support was really flat (lack of roof a factor) and the most fervent stuff was coming from the small number of seated R's to our left. I found the pre-match atmosphere rather odd but welcome all the same -very few police, everyone friendly and helpful no matter what colours they wore and set up for a really good game -odd that we are the giants to kill. In spite of my lack of inches I could actually see (last time I was on a terrace I think I was on my Dad's shoulders) but was fearing the last minute rush from the pub. It never really happened, except for one noisy bunch -noticeably none in colours, who, of course ended right by us. First major grouse -why is it necessary for drunken yobs to hurl abuse at people hundreds of yards away whilst gesticulating at them, then insult one of your own team, then pick an argument with anyone around you before deciding that the same people are potentially your new best friend? Embarrassing really and thankfully calmed down by stewards.
Anyway, the game - first half relatively even, job done in quelling the naive enthusiasm of the underdog and we seemed about to "score in a minute". It was good to see just what a good player Dunne is up close and even the odder selections seemed to be working. Jenas also impressed.
A thought about Phillips - touted by some as the ideal man to replace Bobby Z as the butt of the Boo boys ( honestly guys, what is the point?). Is an effect of the broken arm a loss of balance and confidence in tight situations - is he still at least mentally, carrying the injury?
Anyway, he was one of many whose contributions began to become embarrassing in the second half -thank goodness the reception he got was mainly positive when he was injured.
Lets be honest, we rode our luck in the second half. Just before Charlie won the penalty there was an incident that could have seen him sent off. Having been booked earlier (and that one looked bad), I thought he did an Ashley when he hooked his leg round the defender and fell into the box. Could easlily have been a booking and off. By the way -I though Gavin Ward was a more than fair ref -is he available every week?
Still, Charlie could be on the edge of cult status -he battles against the odds -that's what won the penalty and a good move for him to take it. Some sort of help /back-up is surely on the cards this week?
The best bit of the Yeovil assault that followed the goal was the giant sub, Ngoo, who surely should be slam dunking, is clearly not meant to be a footballer, but just as clearly would score, or at least set up an equaliser. But he didn't. It really was meant to be.
So an odd game -a win, but more about relief than satisfaction, as it has been every game.
Journey home took us through new pastures due to the accident -hopefully everyone was OK? Trouble was we had to listen to even more Robby Savage nonsense. Still, we won.
One thing, unlike the Yeovil mascots, I don't have, nor ever will have a second team. But if I did, Yeovil would be a contender. Seriously hope they stay up - cos their fans and players deserve it, and we might be able to get in the Arrow next year if the worst comes to the worst. (actually, maybe days out like this are way better than all the Premier league nonsense anyway).
M of M for us - Richard Dunne, followed by Rob Green.
Up the R's.