| 
| 
| Stafford Rangers 1
Grayson 45 | Nationwide Conference
Marston Road Tuesday 3 October 2006
7:45pm | Dagenham & Redbridge
2
Southam 22 pen
Benson 59 | Pre Journey: A half day at work meant for once I wasn't rushing for a midweek away game!!!! Browns was already there, looking light a right zzz watching people play the fruit machine. Dead Bloke then arrived and beat me at pool again, as he had done on Saturday. In fact on Saturday he managed to beat everyone which is miraculous considering he is sh*te!!! Browns had even managed to get the beers and remember the bottle opener!!!!
Attendees: Just the 4, me, Browns, Stew and Dead Bloke (driving). Excuses again were wide ranging. Doggy couldn't get the time off work, acceptable you might think until you consider he owns the whole of the shop he works for!!! Count couldn't get the time off work, or so he says!!! Others couldn't be asked, are to skint, or thought they would watch the entertainment on the box as the game was live on SKY Sports.
Journey There: Stopped to get Stew from his place as he was running late!!! After that it was on to the M25 and then up the M1. Stopped at Leicester Forest for refreshments. I teamed up with Browns and Stew teamed up with Dead Bloke for the KFC Ryder Cup!!! No contest, me and Browns polishing off the complete bargain bucket in 10 minutes. Dead Bloke let Stew down and they didn't even manage to finish!!! After that it was back on the M1 and then across the A50 to Uttoxeter and then down some country lane from there into Stafford, arriving in good time at about 6.30.
Pre Match: The ground appeared to be a little out of town so we opted for the clubhouse. Was a large social club, two bars, nicely done out, and very welcoming. Got some drinks and then watched SKY Sports News which included a build up the big game!!! Had a chat with Steve Thompson, the Daggers Financial Director and then made our way into the ground.
Ground: Old school!!!! A real old non-league ground. A decent seating stand on one side, a covered terrace on the far side, a falling down covered terrace (known by the locals as the Shed) at one end, and a 3 stepped terrace at the other!!!! Pitch looked like a cow field.
Crowd: Game was not segregated, which is unusual these days. We made our way to the "Shed End" where the other Dagenham fans had gathered. Appeared to be about 50, which I reckon was a pretty good guess, certainly no more than 60. We put the flag up next to the Supporters Club one, but the local clowns then turned up 2 minutes before kick off and put their flag straight over the top of the Supporters Club one!!!! No explanation or apology. We assisted the other Daggers fans into trying to re-locate this but the locals, including I suspect members of the local "rent a mob" as the game was on telly, were generally getting a bit fruity so we moved to the other end, leaving our flag up and in the safe hands of a steward!!! Crowd turned out to be about 1,100 which is about their average, and was pretty loud throughout. We made as much noise as 50-60 people can, and when we were back in "the shed" in the second half this sounded quite impressive.
Game: Again, a game of little quality and chances, but lively in an old fashioned sort of way. The pitch didn't help. We were lively to start with and deservedly led but once they got level they looked like they may get another. In the end Benno got us in front and we held on for 3 precious points. (see match report section).
Journey Home: These journeys never seem as bad after a win!!! Dead Bloke looked shattered but did a fine job at the wheel!!! We were making good time straight down the M6, although we were slowed up a little by roadwork's near Brum. Stopped on the M1 at Newport Pagnell for more food!!! Dead Bloke somehow managed to follow up his half eaten KFC with a BK meal. Coach arrived just as we were leaving. Arrived home about 12.50am, very tired!!!
Post Journey: There is not much of a post journey at that time of the morning!!! Bed!!!
|
