Game Eight - Stockport Away

16th August 2008

This was looking set to be my biggest away day adventure yet with 2 trains just to get to the ground, and then a further two trains to make it to a party in Huddersfield later that night. Ouch.

So with military precision plans, I set off at about 8:30am to make sure I got the first train at 9:30 heading for Sheffield to spend a bit of time with Carla. Unbelievably the trains were running on time and she was there to meet me at the station and we headed off to Starbucks for a drink and to catch up. No topic was left uncovered as we went through all the big subjects: football, relationships, careers, accents and of course which supermarket is the king! (Asda wins be default as I'm older and therefore know better) As she would say we had a riiiiiiiiiight good time! After a couple of hours we headed back to the station and after a quick picture (with me knackered and her hungover), I jumped on train number two and off to Stockport!

Met up with Helen and her mum at the station in stockport and we set off in search of Edgley Park. Colleen opted for the printed out directions whereas I felt the giant sign pointing which way would be more than adequate. These tipton folk should not be allowed to travel without supervision!

Arrived at the ground in good time and was met with this "charming" main stand. Welcome to League One!!

After a quick chat with Wilkes and a burger outside the ground (I didnt dare sample the food inside), me and Colleen made our way in while Helen rushed off for a quick drink with Jobber and his lot. Made an early school boy error when going into the loo and coming out a different way and ending up in the stockport stand. Not sure how that happened but I hastily dashed back the way I came and back to the safety of our roofless stand.
To be fair, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting and the far stand opposite was actually quite nice. Give the away fans a roof and it could be a great little place to go and watch football. The atmosphere holds in really well in the home stand and the covered away area. Im sure we will visit many worse in our league one tour!

Before the game started, the Foxestalk flag was brought out and waived around for a bit while singing ring of fire amongst other things. Sadly the picture isnt great but you can spot a few of us (and me in the bright yellow shirt behind Jodie and Chloe).
The game itself was pretty poor first half and not a lot actually happened. Stockport went close in the 45th minute, hitting the base of the post much to our joy as it looked like the shot was just trickling into the net.

The second half proved to be much more exciting and chances galore were missed as we just seemed to lack that bit of luck in front of goal. All crosses were just behind the player running in, all efforts were just wide, all scrambles were cleared and all shots on target were clawed away. There only looked to be one winner as the game went on but the goal just wouldn't come!

The game will mostly be remembered though for the reception given to one man. Lloyd Dyer me lord. Lloyd Dyer. That chant was probably the loudest all day and was sang every time he even looked at the ball let alone skinned a defender. If he'd scored with his great chance then the (metaphorical) roof would have been lifted!!

And so it finished 0-0. Still unbeaten, and still no goals conceeded. Not a bad start to the season at all and see's us in the dizzy heights of third in the table.

After leaving the ground, we headed back to the station and all went our seperate ways. All people heading south, and me further north into Manchester. On the train though I was treated to the sight of the City of Manchester stadium towering out over the city skyline. This is where we want to be playing in a few years time. The promised land if you will! Beautiful stadium and can't wait to check that one off of my list at some point.

A quick bite to eat at Manchester station and I was off again on my fourth and final train. This time, Destination: Huddersfield! And just for good messure, upon arriving and on my way to the party, we past their local stadium too and Chloe was right.... it is "fit!" Can't wait for that one in October although I might have to undertake an easier journey!!

So that was the day. Four trains, one bus, one starbucks and many laughs. Our league one adventure is well and truly underway and even sleeping on the floor at the party couldn't take away a great day. Bring on the next one!!