PRE JOURNEY Bit of a surprise this one, an 11.30!!!!!! meet in the Yeoman. Unfortunately this was locked and we all had a good laugh at the late arrivals trying to get in, but the Daggers support was up to 11 for this Minibus journey to, what was promised to be, the best ground in the conference. There was plenty of free pool going round but no-one seemed to have the ability to play, apart from one game which seemed to last hours, Rob "Jimmy" Browns seemed to have lost his potting boots, and that man Middle decided that safety was the best option.
ATTENDEES
Good showing from the boys, plenty of regulars and few other faces. Myself, Middle, Stew, DB, Doggy, Browns, Gaybar, Hoggy, (Now Regular)Winkle, a surprise appearance (although somewhat late) from JT,
and a guest appearance from Bob Anderson (yes, THE Bob Anderson).
JOURNEY THERE
For the first time since the play off final 4 seasons ago, we opted for a mini-bus for transport. This is an absolute bargin way to go. £80 hire for the day from Practical Vehicle Hire in Romford (discount for advertising if you read this??), and then £60 fuel. Between 11 of us this is a great deal. Straight up the M11 and then a stop at Cambridge for "comfort". It was hear that Jeff managed to purchase a wonderful cassette album, "Summer Party Anthems"!!!!! The collection of classics had been covered by a brilliant, well known group...........Highway East!!!! But more on them later!!!!! 4 bottles of Stella later and we arrived at Rushden, or whatever the village they play in is called!!!!!
PRE MATCH
A 2.30 arrival was perfect timing. Having laughed at the cost of getting in we headed for the bar area under the away stand for a quick pint, and then took our places at the back of the stand, amongst the large Daggers following.
GROUND
What can you say about this place!?!?!? It is an awesome set up for a club at Conference level. Three sides of the ground are impressive seated stands, while behind one goal is a large and tidy terrace. The ground houses several executive boxes, a police control centre, a smart looking press area, and large scoreboard. We were situated in the AirWair stand behind one goal, and this is probably the most impressive of all the stands. Under the stand is a bar area and snack bar, as well as a TV f with SKY coverage. Outside of the ground itself is a large car parking area (although a fiver for our bus was a little steep), and several training pitches. Along one side of the ground is also the impressive Diamond Centre which is a Conference and Function Centre. So basically it is just like Victoria Road!?!?!?!?
CROWD
Amongst ourselves we believed the crowd would be around the 250 mark, the crowd was announced as 241, but I have since been informed by a reliable source that it was in the 300's, very good showing from the
Daggers. The noise was very good, and several renditions of "Sit Down" by James went down very well with the away following, and also saved those jobsworth stewards voices. Not too much abuse of any players, I
think there was more abuse for the Sun, which decided to spend most of the game in everyones eyes!!
GAME Not the best start, 1 down within a minute, but Daggers showed there fight by getting back into the game within ten minutes. A very strange penalty decision (I believe "Ball To Hand" was the call) meant Rushden
pulled level again. However, a CMS header with only seconds remaining in the first half meant Daggers went into the second half with a 3-2 lead. The second half didn't really live up to the excitement of the first, a
few chances for both sides and a few good saves from the keepers (even that Grays reject pulled a good save off).
JOURNEY HOME
Journey home on the Minibus was, of course, in high merriment, lots of beer, lots of drunk people and a dance routine from Brown's to the Maccarena, the Highway East version of course!!!! There was also some shadow dancing from myself, I think to the Locomotion and Hey Baby. I think I was better than Brown's.
POST JOURNEY
So, back to the Yeoman it was, even more beer, not that any of us needed it!!! I spilt my drink over some Rugger Bugger, but he seemed ok about it, but I don't remember it to be honest. Lots of chanting in the pub due to a Barnet (well he reckons he was anyway, closet I reckon) fan being in there. Hornchurch lost to Mangotsfield which made most of the pub cry with laughter, Grays Drew, Weymouth lost. The most random thing of the night, Steve Thompson turned up in the pub looking very dapper. We all got smashed and I really don't remember much after about seven can't really comment too much on the evening, but we all looked pretty rough the next morning at Football (one nil win by the way, scored by the birthday boy, Stew).
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