Alan Pickard
06:43 AM. Dog’s crying for a piss. I didn't even want a dog, we got one for the kids. They'll walk him she said. Here I am, sat in the garden at 06:53 AM considering today’s plans, thoughts of Michael Higdon lunging into an ill-advised tackle, of Leon Clarke sidefooting one in from 25 yards with his left peg, of a certain young Senegalese talent committing his final crime against centre backs in a United shirt little over a year ago. Today is a well-trodden path. But. We go again.
Me and mi son and mi dad and mi bro we're off to Chesterfield. Some notable absentees today. The Wiz are low on numbers, but we're meeting a couple in Chesterfield to bring them up. (The songbook this season needs new numbers too.)
Now, my dad isn't really a regular. And this was confirmed by his completely bemused look at me buying a four-pack of Belgian lager for the train
"Are you f***ing daft.”
…You can have one if you want.
"Ahhh oreyt then.”
…Not sure what else he had planned for the 13-minute journey to be honest.
Into Chesterfield then. If it was me, I'd have probably taken that church roof off and put it back on properly, it's just a shoddy job. They're proud of it though. And I suppose we all have to be proud of something.
One in the Vaults (Spoons); two in the Chesterfield Arms (reyt chippy opposite in case you end up there, “cooked fresh” - my dad's words, not mine), and then the short 20-minute walk to the ground. I told you at the outset, it's a well-trodden path.
The ground… I don't mind it. But my inner Kevin McCloud (of Grand Designs fame) can't help but wonder if it would’ve improved the aesthetic and atmosphere if they had filled the corners in. Alan you’re boring yourself now shut up…
As for the bars inside. Christ. They just aren't used to a crowd. But unlike York, they'd stocked up — a choice of Carling or Madri for the lager louts amongst us. Don't mind it.
The game. Listen, if you want cutting-edge reporting I'd suggest you're in the wrong place. Danny Hall is your man for that. But for what it's worth, I thought first half we looked very good.
Them youngsters are up for it. Seriki, Sanauskas, Blaster, Peck, Brooks, and Osula look like a really good group. They know each other’s game. Hampson, Onè, Curtis made an impression too, coming on later. Some talent pool. Then we've got that silly Croatian in the net looking like he's won a raffle.
First goal was coming. It'll be a trademark that we'll see this season, Osula drifting in from the left with a right-footed finish. In the first half in particular I thought we played some wonderfully intricate stuff, but you could tell we looked slightly vulnerable due to the lack of experience.
Second half, very flat for twenty. Then Trialist eventually slots home the second after a bit of pinball in the box. Tidy finish. If you're after analysis of the third goal you're out of luck. I decided the Donkey Derby was a better place for me, roughly at the same time that idiot in the net decided he wanted to be Ronaldinho. But apparently Owen Hampson scored it after Callum O'hare made three defenders look silly. I enjoyed my cold pint of Stella.
“Some talent pool. Then we've got that silly Croatian in the net looking like he's won a raffle.”
Sadly, yes. I lost count of the number of times I said to myself last season (and this one so far) – “big empty goalmouth and Grbic on the floor watching the ball sail over his head.”
(Nothing to do with the football, but apart from the wonky church spire, I always giggle at the statue of George Stephenson just outside the railway station doors. The first time I saw it (from behind) and not knowing who it was, it looked just like a statue of someone holding up two fingers to the world! I know better now!).
Thanks for the *er* report, Alan. Hope the family enjoyed the day, too!
Sue.