You know sometimes you have to just sit back and think about what you're doing with your life. I think it's safe to say that when I woke up on the 2nd September, that was one of those moments! Why the hell was I letting myself in for this long and brutal treck up north for a competition that we've been dreading since the day we were relegated to this league. The Johnstones Paint Trophy marks another first for the club and we have to make the effort to welcome it into our lives, afterall, technically as the team top of league one, we're the best team in the competition!
So with the day booked off and a decent lie in in hand, I headed to the bus stop to meet Miss Dexter and begin the trip to the north east coast. A quick run round the shops for "Dexter's Treats" and a slight miss-communication regarding meeting at Greggs and we were off to her dad's work to pick up the car and head to the Walkers.
After parking round the back we had a quick look round at the random names on bricks and the cuttings from the walkers stadium pitch (which stunk like nothing else!). Of course Miss Dexter was straight into the programme sellers booth and was actually suprised by it being wet despite the heavy rain fall!
With that it was off to the meet Jodie and Bert and board the coaches. This was to be the last Fox Travel journey before Chloe heads off to university so was almost fitting that we took Bert's FT virginity on the same day.
It was quite an entertaining journey and a quick stop in the bookies at the services saw me and Jodie both pick winning accumulators that would see us taking home a bonus £24 each from the day. That was the travel and match ticket paid for right there!
After the stop we were introduced to the famous "name game" and Chloe teamed up with Bert to take on me and Jodie. As the ranking professional, Bert took control from the start and guided them to a comfortable 5-1 victory (but for the record, our win on B was as good as has been played in the history of the game....ish).
When we arrived at the ground we made our way round the back and into the Hartlepool Supporters Club for a quick drink and a childish game of beer mat flipping. Chloe set the early mark with a flip of 12 but revenge was set for the name game as your boy here stepped up to the plate and successfully flipped 20 mats in one go. Not to be out done, Miss Dexter was keep to match it but could she do it................
Fat chance!! Beer mats everyone! Some were even reported as being found as far away as Bristol!!We made a sharp exit after her trail of destruction and headed to the turnstiles noting the ship in the docks just on the horizon.
At the turnstiles we bumped into Lil' Dave, Joe and other members of the foxestalk lot and we soon went in to see what The Victoria Ground had to offer us. The answer.... not a lot. And boy did we love it because of that!
We quickly put up the Foxestalk flag.... twice and then did what others have only ever dreamed of. Had our photo taken with the legend that is Jimmy Bullard! And when I say that, I don't mean the fake one that plays for Fulham and was called up for England! I mean the real one that takes pictures for Leicester.
Bert, me, Jimmy Bullard, Chloe, Joe and Tommeh.... I think it's safe to say Bert has never been as happy as he was at that moment! Better credit Lil Dave with the picture or he'll only accuse me of theft!
After the general warm up and the like, we were ready to get our first Johnstones paint trophy game underway....
The second half was a different story to the first thought and I'm not sure what Nigel Pearson said to the players but they were keep to give the hardcore Leicester fans who had made the trip something to cheer. Some silky stepovers and a cool finish from Super Steve Howard gave us the lead and he was clearly delighted after having an earlier strike disallowed (his third in three games).
Lloyd Dyer fired a free kick narrowly wide as we pushed forward looking for the goal that would seal progress to the next round.
Sustained pressure and it seemed only a matter of time before City added a second goal and so it was, as good work from DJ Campbell set Nicky Adams clean through on goal and he made no mistake cooly lifting it over the Pool keeper.
A great run from Wesolowski and a very unselfish pass from DJ set up Matty Fryatt for a tap in into an empty net and ensured the second big victory away from home.
Considering we were unsure as to this competition, it provided us with a great nights entertainment and we headed back to the coaches with smiles on our faces.
The trip home was a lot quiter as the long day caught up with some of us and the eyes started to droop. The most entertainment was when it was found out that we had overtaken the FT lot who had made the trip by car, who now found themselves stuck on the motorway edge with a flat tyre..... Car 0 - 1 Fox Travel! Cue the blurred celebrations!
So that was our first venture into this competition and we can now look forward to a game with Lincoln City at home in the next round at the walkers. The 100% record this season is still going strong and has passed it toughest test.
You know sometimes you just have to sit back and think about what you're doing with your life...... I wouldn't change a thing! Johnstones Paint Trophy? Yes then!
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