Game Fifty Eight - Tranmere away

11 March 2009

After 23 matches unbeaten, it was time to head over for our final midweek away adventure of the season and the trip to Merseyside to see us take on Tranmere on their own patch. It was well known that this would be a very tough game due to the shocking pitch and the suprisingly good home record at Prenton Park but after that many games unbeaten, we knew we had nothing to fear. For the first time this season, I was to be joined at a game by Samantha, my girlfriend, and we had decided to make a night of it and stop over to take a break from work / uni.

After a quick stop off in Nottingham for Sam to have a job interview, we were soon on the way to Chester managing to get lost on the longest road in the world (that was closed in places for no real reason). It wasn't long before we found the hotel though and checked in, grabbed some food and set of for Prenton Park. The plan was to park at the ground and then head to a pub and meet up with folk at one of the many places to drink around the area. Katy, Joe Baker, Lisa and Joe Brewin were all in there already killing time pre game. Introduced Sam around to folk and we just had the usual laughs and jokes as more and more people arrived.


James was next to show up and was unfortunate enough to be sat next to a strange old man who clearly didn't know much about modern football as he was expecting a Man Utd fan to be beaten up for wearing his clubs colours in Tranmere.... naive!

Roy strolled in not long later soon followed by Jodie and Helen so there was a good mixture of people in the pub by the time it was time to head outside and meet up with Maybes, Bert and Chloe.

After loitering around outside for a bit, we ventured into the turnstiles and we soon joined by Fez, Tommeh, Jamie, Andy and Lil Dave so there was quite a gathering in the concourse.

Prenton Park is another of those pretty dull grounds with no real defining points that set it apart from any others in the football league. A collection of local chavs gathered to the left of us were to provide the entertainment for the evening though on a night when the football didn't particularly get us going.

The turn out from the locals was also disappointing as by the time kick off came around, you could still clearly make out "Tranmere" written across the stand opposite us.

The teams came out to the usual sounds from the crowd and oddly the local chav contingent had taken to blowing up condoms and waving them around for no apparent reason.

Neither side really got going during the first 45 minutes on the contest with long range efforts being the main cause for concern from the home side. Due to the dodgy pitch, we couldn't get the ball down on the deck and pass it around well like we had against Cheltenham a few days before. Bas Savage up front caused us a few problems... until he got near our goal and then he would mess up.

The banter between the two sets of fans was good though with "we'll never play you again" and "you've got school in the morning" ringing out to the pubescent teens. The sound of "who's the slapper in the white" brought back fond memories of Hull away last season and the fun that we had there.

At half time everyone headed about to see friends and catch up, with me and Sam heading down to see Helen and her mum after being childish with waving at each other for a few mins. Maybes, Bert and Chloe meanwhile headed down to see Bald Jim - legend!

Straight from the kick off for the second half, we found ourselves behind. A long ball was knocked on by Savage and Kay blasted in from the edge of the area past Stockdale in the City goal. What followed though was one of those surreal moments where all the travelling fans became united for 20 minutes singing "1-0 down, who gives a fu*k? We're leicester boys and we're going up." The Tranmere fans had no answer to it and instead just attempted to insult Jobber without any real success.

As the fans responded to going one down, the team responded in a similar way as we started to take a grip on the game. Howard had a header cleared off the line, and Oakley went close with a volley from range. The game was played almost solely in the Tranmere half now as we pressed for an equaliser that just didn't want to come.

With seven minutes left, the sucker punch came that finished us off. Savage went down under a challenge from Powell (that looked to be outside the box) and Jennings smashed the penalty into the net to seal the three points for Tranmere and our first defeat since October. 5 months and 23 games.... a hell of a record to have!

At the final whistle, we all said our goodbyes and headed back to the car and back to the hotel to unwind and enjoy the rest of my mini-break with Sam - it was just what I needed and being with her took the edge off of the defeat so I can't even say that I was too down as a result of it. Ideally of course we would have taken the three points to really make it a spot on couple of days but you cannot really argue with how it turned out in the end. As a result of this defeat though, it's made things even more tense around the place than it had been before.... we really need to go to millwall and get a result now... tough job!

Game Fifty Seven - Cheltenham Town Home

7 March 2009

Another home game and after the disappointment of a succession of draws on our own turf, the visit of lowly Cheltenham appeared to provide us with a real chance to take maximum points and lighten the tension around the place. Nothing is ever certain in football though and this was a potential banana skin for us and a game that in previous seasons would have resulted in an appalling one nil defeat. This is a new Leicester City now with a fighting spirit and a will to succeed. Surely even the return of numerous ex players and staff amongst the visitors could not upset what should be a routine victory?

Heuston.... problem.... I wrote the blog for this game and it hasn't saved for some reason and having spent an hour sorting it all out, I don't really fancy writing it once more so will just give a quick summary for now and possibly re-write it after the Tranmere game.

The game kicked off at a very slow pace with neither side eager to push forward to quickly and risk making a mistake. After 15 minutes though, City took the lead when a neat Cleverley cross was headed in at the back post by Steve Howard. Neat build up, neat cross, neat goal.

Fryatt doubled the lead after a Howard flick on from a long ball forward as City looked to run riot at the Walkers for the first time in a many weeks. Long range efforts from Oakley, King and Fryatt all just failed to find the back of the net with the visiting keeper having to make a few crucial saves to keep them in it.

After the break, Hobbs powered a header against the top of the crossbar from a corner before Cleverley made up for an earlier routine miss by scoring a great goal. He dispossed the left back on the touchline and then weaved his way into the box past two defenders and clipped the ball past the keeper. Very good finish and nice to see him making an impact after being recalled to the starting eleven by Nigel Pearson.

Oakley added a forth not long after thanks to some tricky footwork and a neat one two with Tom Cleverley who was instumental in three of the four goals on the day.

From that point on, it was just a routine performance with neither team pushing things more than needed to avoid the risk of any injury or over exhaustion ahead of a busy run in.

At the final whistle, we knew we were one step closer and we have one foot now firmly inside automatic promotion and it would really take a mammoth cock up to stop us going up now. In fact if we win at millwall on Saturday then I think the job is as good as done. Massive if though, as it will be a very tough game and they are one of the only teams to have actually beaten us this season!

Sorry about the shortness of this but as you can imagine, losing an hours work has left me feeling rather pissed off with this site at the moment - will be back on form for the visit to tranmere though... even if I have to hand write it and post it to everyone who reads this!!

Game Fifty Six - Stockport Home

3 March 2009

After several home draws in a row, our form at the Walkers Stadium could see the undoing of our bid for the title if we're not careful. For some reason, the decent performances that we are putting in on the road are not being reflected in front of bigger crowds at our own venue. Stockport was a chance to put this right but their likely tactics of 10 men behind the ball meant it would probably be a long night once more.

After work, I headed over to the Highcross pub to catch up with an old friend from school who had gotten in touch after discovering me through this blog. Must have been 7 years since we last spoke and so we had a lot to catch up on and a long season of football to discuss. An all round good time and hopefully it won't be another seven years until we catch up again!

As we left the pub, it was like being in a rainforest with the rain pouring down and the wind whipping around us. My umbrella didn't last long and Mary Poppins clearly lied to me as I didn't float straight to the stadium at all... it was more of a random stumble being blasted from all sides by the strange weather conditions. By the time me and Mark made it to the stadium, we were soaked to the skin with water dripping off everything - not a nice way to watch a game. Met Helen and Jobber outside the stadium briefly before heading in and trying to dry off.

The groundsmen were out in force trying to keep the puddles from forming on the pitch but were starting to fight a losing battle as the wind swirled round. My old man showed up, doing his impression of a drowned rat too and you got the feeling it wasn't going to be a night to warm us all up.

Kerrea Gilbert did his best to warm the crowd up inside 90 seconds though as his deep cross was deflected into the corner by a Stockport defender. Clearly an own goal but he appears to have been given it somehow meaning that every player in our starting 11, bar the goalkeeper, has scored this season - quite an impressive stat really.

2 minutes later though and the curse of the ex-player struck again as Chris O'Grady, a player who never set the world alight in his short career with us, smashed in an equaliser from the edge of the area after a neat turn and shot. A very good goal - we never knew he had it in him (and I dont think the Stockport fans did either)!!

The next 20 minutes were just a mixture of frustration as free kicks and crosses flashed across the goal just needing a touch to take them in. Nothing would fall for us in the box and time and time again, a chance was lost and the ball was smashed back towards the half way line. It was clear that the visitors had come for the draw and they persisted in passing the ball between the defence and had no interest in even crossing the half way line - it bordered on the pathetic at times.

There were no real attempts on goal for the remainder of the first half, and even till half way through the second half, the two goal keepers were left with very little to do. But when they were needed, they were up to the task. A mistake by the defence let in Johnson but debutant goalkeeper Stockdale preserved our unbeaten run.

Stockdale had to be at his best again in the last minute to keep out a long range O'Grady strike and it ended up being another night of disappointment at Filbert Way. We made our way out of the stadium, back into the elements, reflecting on more dropped points and wondering if we will ever win at home again.

Sorry that this was just a short entry but Ive had things to do recentley and it's been hard to find the time to fit this in. Special thanks to Bedsfox though for identifying the man mentioned in the last entry (see the comment at the end of it for details.) Next up is Martin Allen and Elvis Hammond's return to Leicester for the first time as bottom of the table Cheltenham come to the Walkers looking to turn the league upside down.

Game Fifty Five - MK Dons away

28 February 2009

Ahhh the designated birthday game for the season. Every fan seems to do it - recognise the game nearest to their birthday as something special and keep an eye out for it when the fixtures are first released. It has the potential to make or break the next milestone in your life and in that respect, it's a game that you always want to win. Mine so happened to fall on potentially one of the biggest games of the season with the top of the table clash at MK Dons. Much has been said on the subject of the team dubbed as "The Franchise" by the majority of fans over the circumstances involving the relocation of the club from London to Milton Keynes, so I won't go into it too much. Whilst I don't agree with what happened, I'm not sure why some people are opting to boycott the games and essentially only punish themselves in the long run. Anyone boycotting this game may argue that they have kept their principles in tact, but at the end of the day, we sold out so MK Dons are not losing out in any way. The club, however, is the complete description of what is wrong with football at the moment with it being not so much about the football but more about what is happening off the pitch and taking away what we love about our sport.

But enough of that and on with the day. Back to the joys of Fox Travel and as per usual these days, accompanied by Jodie but for a one off special, also Jodie's mum completed the party. Bernie was spotted walking around in his own unique fashion but thankfully didn't jump on our coach, instead opting for one of the the other 15 that happened to be leaving the Walkers that day.
The journey itself was a blur.... it happened is the best I can really say about it. After having to get up early that morning to get stuff done, I was out for the count before long and didn't wake till we were well on the way to Milton Keynes. We arrived at the 'stadium' in good time and it appeared that there was very little to keep us amused before kick off so while the mother and daugher combo headed off to Asda, I met up with Katy and Stez and went for a wander around the place. It has a bizarre, half finished feel to it, which I suppose is fair considering the top tier hasn't got any seats in it yet but that doesn't explain the exterior which resembles a disused factory rather than a state of the art stadium.

The odd thing of note was that there was only one bit of branding on the stadium and even that was no bigger than an A4 sized logo over the corporate enterance. You really wouldn't have a clue where you were if you had been plonked in the middle of the place....

.... the other side of the ground gave even less clues! I can only assume that like the rest of Milton Keynes, they will continue to develop the area as the club becomes more successful?

The inside of the ground is actually quite impressive with an open concourse all the way around at ground level with the steps leading down to the pitch. It means that you are nearly always in view of the pitch wherever you move. Plenty of space too so the freedom to move around meant that it was easy to keep bumping into people you knew.

And people you recognise too. Now does anyone know who the guy in the picture below is? I see him at every home and away game, always dressed in a suit and carrying a copy of the Times newspaper. I even saw him on a tube in London on a day when Leicester were not playing. He's always moving around the place when Ive seen him. It appears that Im not alone in noticing him as Katy and Stez have apparentley commented on him as well.

A massive 4,500 away fans had made the short journey to Milton Keynes and with it being the first away game of the season for many of them, we wern't optimistic for anything relating to an atmosphere from the "prawn sandwhich" brigade on their day trip. We, however were quite fortunate with our tickets and being on the back row meant that we could stand freely and we joined by some like minded others who didn't want to use the padded seats but to stand and sing.

The game itself started at a frantic pace and in only the second minute, Mattock found himself in space but dragged his shot wide of the post. Two minutes later though and we struck the first real blow. A long free kick was flicked on by Howard, Fryatt controlled and despite being surrounded by three defenders, managed to twist and turn away and curl a shot past the keeper and into the corner of the net. Great finish and we hoped that would settle us down....

.... not the case though as the goal seemed to wake up the home side and Chadwick missed a sitter after 10 minutes with the goal begging. It was all the Dons at this time and they tried their luck from long range at every opportunity without troubling Bunn in between the sticks. All we could offer in reply was a few corners and a deflected effort from Dyer as we struggled to cope with their slick passing, moving the ball quickly from side to side.

With all those long range efforts, it was inevitable that one would soon find the target and that was the case on 36 minutes when some neat build up saw the ball fall for Leven who smashed the ball home from 25 yards with the ball skidding past the keeper. A big blow but it had been coming and it could have been worse but for a great goal line clearance from Oakley on the goal line after a corner hadnt been fully cleared.

At half time, I headed over to find Helen and Jobber and me and her had a bit of a natter while he caught up with people - he seems to know everyone that guy! Headed back over to my seat for the start of the second half, hoping for a better performance than the first.

City had the first real chance of the second period after a quick free kick released Dyer but his cross couldnt be diverted goalwards by Howard with the ball instead ballooning over the bar. The home side took the lead just after the hour mark though with a well worked goal. A low pass was dummied by two players before a neat pass set in Leven whose shot was well saved by Bunn who saw the rebound spin up and hit the striker before rebounding into the net. Horrible goal to conceed and so unlucky for the on-loan goal keeper.

From then on, there wern't many real chances for either team as MK dons defended well and didn't allow us any time to play, and restricted us to playing outside of their 30 yard area forthe majority of the game. As time inched away, we knew it was all over. The unbeaten run was gonna go and against our closest rivals.

As the fourth official indicated an incredible five minutes injury time which stunned both sets of fans, we knew that we might get one more chance to snatch something from the game.... and in the 96th minute, that chance came. Fryatt was judged to have been fouled on the edge of the area, 25 yards from goal. Substitute Max Gradel was the man charged with taking it and we held our breath as he prepared to take it. Time seemed to stand still as the ball was struck, over the wall and skimming the defender on the lines head on it's way into the top corner. He couldn't have placed it any better if he tried and the scenes in the away end were chaotic. Random huggers celebrating together, hugging everyone that moved and charging round like idiots. As the free kick was taken, I was on the back row. By the time the Dons had kicked off again, I was half way down the stairs with Jodie somehow. It was all a blur but one of the biggest rushes I've had as we all felt the game had passed us by.

The referee didn't end the game there though and in the 99th minute, he awarded a free kick to MK Dons in a similar place from where Gradel had struck. Once again we held our breath and I felt nervous in a way I hadn't felt since that infamous Stoke game back in May. A draw and we were still in pole position... if this free kick went in, MK Dons could be right on our tails once more.... Thankfully it struck the wall and the referee called a hault to proceedings and let us celebrate like we had won the world cup.

As we made our way out, high fiving and hugging people we knew, I met up again with Katy and Stez who had kindly offered to give me a lift home seeing as they were heading back to sunny Syston so it was a nice easy journey home with us all still buzzing in the car.

Up until that late goal, it had been a fairly miserable away game and one of the worst of the season so far. We just never really got going and were outplayed by a better team on the day in front of a disappointing atmosphere. There were no exceptionally fond memories, and it was almost like being back in the championship again. Gradel's goal though has changed things and MK Dons will always be the place that saw those epic celebrations when the ball hit the net. Come May, if we are top by only a point or so, we can look back and know that the league was won at Stadium MK.

Game Fifty Four - Bristol Rovers away

21 February 2009

As I have been telling people for a while now, when we last hit our dodgy patch of form earlier in the season, it was the game at home against Bristol Rovers which brought the team together again and instilled a sense of belief in the players. Those two minutes at the end of the game where Matty Fryatt scored two goals to turn the game on it's head kick started our winning streak and propelled us to the top of the table where we remained ever since. Now, on the back of a number of draws, we find ourselves in that position again where some fans are starting to nervously look over their shoulders at what the other teams are doing behind us. Scenarios are being drawn out based on what would happen if Millwall and MK Dons were to beat us in coming weeks... 19 games unbeaten and we're still nervous! To be a football fan eh? Boy did we need a win... does lightning strike twice though?

So much for the lie ins of recent weeks on this saturday as I was up and about early as if I was heading into the office for the day. With no lift coming my way, I headed over to Syston train station for the quick journey into the city centre only to find that the train didn't seem to want to arrive. After waiting for 15 minutes I got bored and jumped onto the bus and made my way to the Walkers that way to meet up with Jodie, Chloe and Bert. Turns out that Jobber was on the coach too so laughs were guarenteed on the journey.... when we finally departed.


The journey was pretty good really - didn't seem to take too long as we had the good company to keep us going along with a dvd of leicester goals from down the years to keep us entertained. Alan also brought along some of his souvenirs from his years of following City including some of the special items that were for sale to celebrate us reaching the FA Cup final back in the 60s... must be worth a fortune. Also turns out that he was one of the lucky people to have been at Wembley in 1966 to see England beat Germany in the World Cup final - he is my new hero! Also on the journey we briefly bumped into Katy (Titch) and little Ella (Midge) at the services on the way to Ella's first away league game.

We arrived at the ground in decent time and the tractor outside the ground was possibly the most sterotypical thing I've ever seen at football having heard the accent of some of the locals.

The four of us headed off in search of a pre-game pub only to discover that they were all home fans only so we had plenty of time to kill as we made our way back towards the Memorial ground with those three going in whilst I waited for Katy and Ella to arrive and had a quick look round at what is quite a unique ground.

They wern't too far away and we had a quick natter but due to the large support, the fans were split into two sections with some standing in the open terrace and others in the seating behind the goal. Naturally, I was on the terraces as it's the best way to watch football and gather with friends, Katy however was heading over to the seating along with others who hadn't managed to swap tickets over.... although many people managed to sneak over later with stories of owing money or having keys belonging to other people... sneaky!

Above is the view that Katy had of us in the terrace before she moved over.... and below is the view we had of her in the seating. I think it's safe to say that the sun drenched terrace was the place to be!

Within minutes of me meeting up with the three I travelled with in the ground, we were joined by lots of others from the Foxestalk website including all the usual suspects along with a few extras who I hadn't seen around for a while. Lil'Dave though insisted on sitting on the barrier in the terrace - which is ironic as he refuses to sit when there are seats provided! He appeared to be in a contemplative mood ahead of the crucial game though.

With the banter and laughs filling the terrace, combined with the stories of Paris, the players making their way onto the pitch seemed to be almost a distraction to the gathering of people. This soon changed though as the first chants filled the air, a decent noise considering the lack of a roof.

Both teams cancelled themselves out in the first 10 minutes or so and we amused ourselves keeping Ella entertained seeing as she had gone off the thought of watching a game thanks to the lack of Max Gradel on the pitch. This turned into quite the activity as everyone joined in, especially Alex who dedicated most of the second half to playing catch with a cuddly Filbert Fox.

I also managed to spot Helen in the crowd after she'd had a long journey to Bristol thanks to trains not running as they should be.

Back to the match though and the first chance of any real note came around the 20 minute mark when Kerrea Gilbert fired a long range effort way over the bar. Two minutes later though, and City had the lead. A long Oakley free kick was headed on by Howard and Fryatt was in quickly to volley the ball over the keeper. A great finish from the man who has found goals hard to come by in the last couple of months.

Bristol rarely put together any decent chances and instead we took to having some fun with some of their players. Chants of "There's only one decent Lescott" when Aaron Lescott came over to take a throw in. He's a decent player but will never reach the standards set by his brother at Everton.

A couple of long range efforts from Fryatt and Lloyd Dyer nearly found the corner of the net. That was it though for the first half and the teams went off to good applause as we all gathered together once more in the sun with Helen finding her way over to us too.

Chloe's lucky hat was proudly on display by Bert again - never lost in the league when that has been in attendance apparently... never lose him in the crowd!

And Lil' Dave actually stumped up and paid for some food at the ground - I don't think I've ever seen that!

The second half started slowly once more with both sides cancelling each other out but 10 minutes in, Bristol Rovers were awarded a penalty after Jack Hobbs brought down Duffy in the area. It was a clumsy challenge at worst as the ball bobbled on the crap pitch and we were shocked to see the red card brandished and you just got that sense that it was a case of "here we go again." Top scorer in the league, Lambert, stepped up to take it but Bunn got down brilliantly to save it. The power on the shot would normally have been enough to see it in but it was a great save and the celebrations were as if we'd scored a second with people ending up on the floor in the huddle.

With Hobbs off, Pearson brought Morisson on for Dyer and we looked to ensure that we were solid at the back and could see off the threat from Bristol... but we need not have worried as they offered very little going forward and couldn't breach the best defence in the league.

In fact, if any teams was going to add to the scoreline, it looked like it would be us as Cleverly missed a great chance when through on goal with his shot lacking any real power or direction. Fryatt missed a similar chance when a quick counter attack left him through on goal but he wasted the chance when he should have played it across for Howard.

Meanwhile Howard and the Bristol keeper were having some heated words after a strong challenge from the Leicester striker. Howard stood his ground and told the keeper to come over and say those things to his face but he didn't have the back bone for that much to the delight of our fans. "Howard's gonna get ya" was soon ringing out everytime the ball was in the keepers hands and he seemed to be getting quite rattled by it. After his shameful time wasting at the Walkers Stadium earlier this season, it was nice to have had the final say on the matter.

City saw the final few minutes out without any real danger though and were soon celebraing another away win as the sun started to set over the stands and the players came across to show their appreciation of our support. Players and fans - this season, we are as one! They play for us and we travel everywhere to watch them.

This was a massive result for us and we celebrated long after the final whistle had sounded.

As we all said our goodbyes until the next game, Fez, Alex, Ella and Katy were left in the stadium chatting and probably still throwing Filbert about between them. Poor thing!

We piled back onto the coaches, all checking the scores and cheers rang out as news spread that the results had gone our way and the lead at the top was extended further still before heading off out of the car park, waving at all the locals on the way. The memorial stadium is a very unique stadium but it once again will provide memories of a great day out on the league one tour.
For the first time in a while at an way game, I dozed off on the way back to the Walkers, exhausted from the early start and the fun on the terraces. I think it's hard to imagine anything better than being on a terrace in the sunshine, watching the team you love surrounded by people with the same ideals. 800 people standing there, all singing together and having fun, united in their will to win and have fun. That's what league one seems to be about - proper football, proper fans, proper fun. Next week - top of the table clash as first take on second: MK Dons v Leicester... tense!

Game Fifty Three - Hartlepool Away

17 February 2009

And so here we go again, the second trip to Hartlepool of the season and a chance to extend the unbeaten run to 19 games and equal the club record for consecutive league games without defeat. The Johnstones Paint trip to Hartlepool back near the start of the season turned into one of the more memorable efforts from the season as everything from that night turned into something memorable, whether it be the journey with friends, the fun in the pub or the 3-0 win. All contributed to a great night!

But could this one match it? Well the lie in start to the day helped as I opted to take a days holiday for this one as it saved leaving at lunch and gave me a chance to enjoy the day fully. Leaving home in the late morning hours, I made my way over to Syston station to catch the train into town and then make my way over to the Walkers to meet up with the Fox Travel folk for the day: Me, Jodie, Helen and Colleen.

Despite it's northern position in the country, the journey up to Hartlepool didn't seem that long at all especially as we were all given a ridiculously tricky quiz to keep us entertained on the way. Whilst it started off as me and Jodie against Helen and her Mum, they soon joined up with us when they realised that about an hour into the thing, they'd only managed to answer about 3 questions... and some of those were wrong (Uttoxeter is NOT a football team for the record!)

We made our usual stop at the services which gave Jodie a chance to feed her gambling habbit at the bookies (who actually remembered her from when she made the trip in September - how the hell can the people working there remember that far back???). We also bumped into Jobber at the services who had come up in the car at some mammoth speed to catch us after leaving late in the afternoon.

After carrying on with the quiz and some recolections of days past with the resident historian Alan, we arrived in Hartlepool in decent time and found our way to the same pub as last time where we met up with Chloe, Joe B and Daggers from FoxesTalk and I also happened to run into an old friend Shiv, who I hadn't seen in a good couple of years - it's odd how you manage to see these people around just like with Sez at Arsenal earlier in the season!

We didn't stay in there long though as the place was rammed and we all headed out to the turnstiles to wait for the other lot as we had their tickets. While outside though, we had some great laughs, buy the biggest was reserved for the famous barking horse. You probably had to be there but we heard these dogs barking behind us, turned round and just saw these two horses nodding their heads in time with the noise. We were in fits of laughter... especially Jodie which just made us laugh further.

When the others finally arrived, we made our way in to find a place to stand for the evening and it was clear straight away that more fans had made the effort for the league clash then had for the cup adventure.

By pure coincidence, we ended up huddling together in a near identical spot to the last game and even found Micky Ruddle with a crazy collection of inflatables! Me and Joe B resorted to a game of head tennis with a beach ball to amuse ourselves although little dave wasn't amused when a large man moved in front of him blocking most of the view of the pitch.

The game started as quite a tight affair with neither team giving the other any time on the ball and no chance to create any efforts on goal. In fact it wasn't until after around 10 minutes that the first effort on goal was registered. A deep Oakley corner was headed goalwards by Brown but the keeper was equal to it and palmed it round the post.

City started to take a slight grip on the game and stroked the ball around quite nicely, with no better example of this coming with the first goal of the night. Some neat passing resulted in Oakley playing the ball through to Steve Howard who smashed it past the keeper at the near post. From our view point at the other end of the ground, we assumed it had gone wide so there was quite the delay before the celebrations really began.

Conceeding seemed to kickstart Hartlepool slightly and they forced a bit of pressure with a couple of corners but City debutant in goal Mark Bunn, was never called into any action.

5 minutes later though and he was soon facing his toughest test as Joel Porter slipped over in the box with the referee bizarrely pointing to the penalty spot to the disgust of the fuming fans behind the goal. How can he make such a crap mistake when it was clear that no contact was made?? Awful call! Anyhow, Porter picked himself up and smashed the penalty into the top corner - no keeper in the world would have saved that one. You can make out some of Ruddles inflatables as he tried to distract Porter in his run up.

Hartlepool were on top for the remainder of the first half as they pushed onwards sensing that an upset could be on the cards at the Victoria Ground.

At half time people just chatted about random stuff and waited for the players to emerge for the second half.

City started the second half strongly with Fryatt curling one just wide and Howard breaking through the defence, only to see the keeper save his shot when clear on goal - he probably should have scored in all honesty but you cannot fault the guy at the moment.

Hartlepool responded and had numerous efforts to take the lead with Bunn making a couple of good saves and an effort going just wide of the target. On 80 minutes though, the referee made up for his earlier cock up for the Hartlepool penalty by giving us a dodgy one too! Berner burst down the left and prodded the ball past the keeper, who promptly brought him down. The ball was already out of play but the ref had no hesitation on pointing to the spot and we rushed down to the front to get the best view of the penalty....

BANG. 2-1 and the sounds of "Super Stevie Howard!" rang out the away end At this point we really thought that we had the three points in the bag but as we moved into injury time, Andy Monkhouse popped up to volley home an unstoppable shot to snatch a point. To be honest it was no less that they deserved as a draw was about fair at the end of the day and we left the ground not too downhearted at the result.

Back on the coaches and we had the results of the earlier quiz with our team coming a respectable third so can't complain with that one really. The rest of the journey was spent being childish with cameras and taking embarrassing pictures of Helen.... I think that this one is the worst of the lot....

Got back to the Walkers in the early hours of Wednesday and jumped in a taxi back to Sunny Syston to grab some much needed sleep before work in the morning.

I must admit that I do now have a soft spot for Hartlepool after two great nights out there and it will be a shame that it looks like we won't be returning to that ground any time in the near future. In fact there's many grounds that we've discovered this season that I wouldnt mind going to again but in some respects I hope I wont have to! We're going through a slight dip in form though with so many draws but we did this earlier in the run of unbeaten games and we solved it with a good win over Bristol Rovers.... ironically our next opponents! Could they kick start us again......?