Game Twenty Five - Bristol Rovers Home

1st November 2008

It seems bizarre to think that this early in the season, the game against Bristol Rovers had that "must win" feel about it. Such is the way the league is forming this season, a bad one of a few results and you can find yourself down struggling to retain a play off position. One win though and you're right back up there with promotion in mind, and the world is rosy once more.

I was meant to be heading up early to the ground for this one to meet up for a pre-game drink but thanks to my own lazyness, I ended up sleeping in and then following the usual routine of travelling in with my old man.

Today before the game, we had a minutes applause in memory of former Leicester defender, John Sjoberg. Minutes applauses and silences are very strange things, for one minute, everyone within the stadium is united in thought about either the person in question or loved ones who are no longer with us. No matter what the rivalry between two teams, it's very rare that the minute of respect is disgraced and that's a true tribute in itself.

And so to kick off:

Once again the first half was one that would not live long in the memory.... so much so that it hasn't even survived the space of a week as I'm struggling to recall anything of great importance that happened in that 45 minute spell... a few efforts were fired in but neither keeper had a real save to make. Jo Kuffour up front for Rovers was causing the defence a handfull but the recalled Henderson was left untroubled. A long range Andy King effort was as close as we came to making a dent on the scoreboard and the half time whistle sounded with a mixed reception of grunts and applause.

The half time entertainment was supplied by Katy and Stez's 'celeb' spotting as Einstein and Tim Flowers were checked off their list. Worst. Look-a-likes. Ever.

The second half started quite brightly and a through ball nearly released Lloyd Dyer on goal but the keeper was alert enough to snuff out the danger. It soon resorted to being a poor game again though and I amused myself by taking photos of the silohettes of the crowd watching the game. How has it come to this?

From another overhit cross from Gradel though, the game sparked into life as the Bristol Rovers right back clearly handled the ball in the area when attempting to control. A blatant penalty for the second game running looked set to turn the match in the oppositions favour. The one main job of the referee is to spot fouls but if they can't do their job then why bother even having them? Everyone in the stadium saw the hand move towards the ball yet he was the only one not to acknowledge the foul!! The heat was turned up and it was game on.

Soon though, the referee was again centre of attention when Fryatt was alert enough to pick up a loose ball and was tripped a yard or two inside the area only for the referee to award a freek kick on the edge of the area. Livid!!

With the referee controlling matters, it seemed only a matter of time before Rovers would launch the sucker punch and so it came mid way through the second half. What seemed like a harmless throw in was soon turned into a goal of the season contendor. Instead of controlling it, Kuffour allowed it to run across his body and he lashed it from 25 yards into the top corner. The first goal that Henderson was to conceed was one that no keeper would have saved. While nothing can make you feel good about going a goal down, it's always a joy to see skill like that first hand.

City then continued to press but without creating any real chances and it looked like another game was passing us by as Rovers resorted to blatant time wasting and the keeper in particular seemed more intent on taking as much time as possible and arguing every decision going as the clock ticked down.

Barry Hayles and Nicky Adams were thrown into the fray as desperation started to creep in and balls were launched forward with verocity in the vain hope that we might find a way back into the match..... and it was from one of these balls that that's exactly what happened. With three minutes remaining, Mattock launched a high ball forward, Hayles flicked it on and Fryatt slotted it past the keeper from a tight angle. Justice was done and even Filbert Fox showed his relief as he charged on the pitch to celebrate.

Were we done there though? Were we hell! As we dusted off our "Foxes Never Quit" momentos, a corner was won after a scramble in the box. Adams swung it in and the keeper flapped and pushed it into his own player. Bodies were everywhere and soon it was in the net. Time stopped as we waited for the foul to be given.... we couldn't have won this could we? 94th minute winners don't happen to us...... well they do now! Step forward Matty Fryatt and start the celebrations!

Within seconds of the restart, the ref blew for full time and we'd got the win we so badly needed. It hadn't been pretty, it hadn't been impressive but those last 5 minutes could well have changed the course of the season. With points being dropped left right and centre at the moment, three points were vital to bring back a sense of belief to the fans once more.

For the first time in a while, we could head home through the tunnel with the sound of victorious horns beeping.

It's amazing how brighter the world can seem after a win. 20 minutes before, we were bemoaning another defeat and now we were thinking of promotion once more.... football.... it's a funny old game.