Mainz 3-0 Red Bull Leipzig

Mainz 3-0 Red Bull Leipzig

Bundesliga

Sunday 29th April 2018

Situated quite literally in the middle of nowhere, Mainz's corporately-named OPEL Arena takes the 'out of town' stereotype to a whole new level.

The spaceship has landed next to the cabbage patch

There's an agricultural (and downright ridiculous) feel towards the place as there's nothing but, erm, open fields on all four sides of the grounds and everyone knows watching an old fella pick crops or a farmer tend to a field from your seat in the stands is the greatest form of pre-match entertainment since Wolfie and the Three Little Pigs had a fight, many years ago.

When Mainz made the decision to move here, Germany's answer to Jack Sugden must have been laughing all the way to the Deutsche Bank knowing full well the location would piss off most fans and probably his fellow farmers.  One can only reach the conclusion that it was planned by someone who either despises football fans or supports Eintracht Frankfurt.

It's a good job the club didn't keep with the general tradition of having their training complex situated next to the stadium as I'd hate to see the German version of Claude Greengrass going mental because people have been trampling over his cabbage patch.

You'll never walk alone on the footpath to the ground

The stadium isn't that straightforward to reach by public transport when compared to Germany's high standards and other Bundesliga clubs. Trams and buses terminate around a kilometre away, leaving supporters with a 10-15 minute walk down a stony footpath - something which must feel bloody brilliant whenever it rains and again makes you ask the question why they chose to build this monstrosity so far out of town?

Mainz's fans have also had to show a lot of patience with their team this season as they're caught up in a tight relegation battle and are within reaching distance of perennial strugglers Hamburg, who look like they could defy the odds yet again and somehow survive.

Looking towards the terraced end of the ground

The visitors for this game were RB Leipzig, who have suffered from a bout of 'second-season syndrome' and although they're still in the running for a top four finish which would guarantee a place in next season's UEFA Champions League, there are other teams better positioned and more deserving of one.

Leipzig started the game with a spring in their step but despite obliterating the hosts both territorially and stats-wise in the first 15 minutes, they squandered two glorious chances with Timo Werner and Naby Keita being the culprits.

The OPEL Arena reminded me a bit of Stoke City's ground

Mainz's last home game made international headlines as the referee got in a right kerfuffle after blowing his whistle for half-time then subsequently checking VAR and awarding a penalty during the interval, and history was repeating as Sandro Schwarz's side were given another chance to score from 12 yards after Yoshinori Muto was fouled inside the box.

Pablo De Blasis duly converted and from that point onwards there was an inevitably that the top half side were going to rue those early missed chances.

Throughout, both teams were sloppy and careless with the ball and it wasn't at all surprising that some sloppy possession-play led to the second goal. Alexandru Maxim emphatically finished from about 10 yards following a quick counter-attack after a Leipzig midfielder's bad touch led to him being dispossessed on the halfway line.

Safe standing, but not safe enough for the Premier League? Hmmm...

With the result beyond doubt, the visitors quickly self-destructed and Bote Baku made it 3-0 to Mainz early in injury-time, before Naby Keita was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence - apparently it was his fourth red card this season so Premier League referees ought to take note as he's joining Liverpool for a ridiculous over-inflated fee in the summer.

Having now seen Mainz play twice this season - the other being in a 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach where there was very nearly one a goalkeeping cock-up of the highest order - then I'm at a loss as to why they have generally struggled, but one more victory now would pretty much secure their status as a top-flight club for another year.

As for Leipzig, if they can qualify for European football for a second successive season, that would be success in it's own right when you consider where they were only a couple of years ago.

All four stands played their part in a crucial win

On a separate point altogether, I never ceased to be amazed by the value for money which the Bundesliga matchday experience offers compared to every other 'top' league in Europe - and how greatly it contrasts from the cash cow of the English Premier League.

Leipzig enjoy an attack in a sun-drenched stadium

A ticket on the large terrace (yes, they have terracing in Germany) cost just 13.50 and there was no sign of any trouble whatsoever with fans happily participating in some great TIFO choreography and enjoying a beer or two in full view of the pitch. The terrace wasn't safe standing-type 'rail seats' that are featuring heavily in British news at present, but more an old-fashioned area for people to stand up and enjoy the match.

The value of treating supporters with respect doesn't end there as the match ticket also included free train travel to and from Frankfurt, which takes about 35 minutes.

Now compare that to England, where the authorities don't seem wiling to budge on all-seater stadiums (at least in the top two divisions). Could you also imagine any London clubs offering free travel on the Underground to games?

The OPEL Arena will probably be a Bundesliga venue again next season

The Bundesliga remains streets, or in Mainz's case large open fields, ahead of its competitors when it comes to value and enjoyment.

Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
Keepmoat Stadium
Tuesday 24th April 2018
League One

Despite being a relatively common suffix, 'Rovers v Rovers' matches have been extremely few and far between in English football in recent years.

Tranmere played Forest Green in last season's National League Play-Off Final with the winner earning the right to be the only 'Rovers' in League Two this season. In League One, Bristol, Doncaster and Blackburn have all come together this term after varied joy and despair for each club in recent times, though you have to go back to 2013/14 for the last time two of these teams met - this being a Championship clash between Blackburn and Donny at Ewood Park.

The most common 'Rovers v Rovers' battle since the turn of the century has been between Doncaster and Tranmere; the two clubs met eight times in four years in the mid-2000s, with goalless draws or a win for the South Yorkshire side at Prenton Park being the most common result.

Therefore, the clash between Doncaster and Blackburn at the Keepmoat Stadium offered a little novelty and, with the visitors knowing three points would seal an instant return to the Championship, there was plenty riding on the result.

A wet night at the Keepmoat on a waterlogged pitch

A heavy pitch certainly didn't help the game and had it not been soaking wet through to the point of being waterlogged, Blackburn would probably have put Darren Ferguson's team to the sword and wrapped up the win they craved much earlier in the game than what they actually did. Instead, it was a bit scrappy and didn't make for great entertainment.

Yes, there were certainly more tackles flying in as a result of the heavy pitch and players were having to over-compensate on passes to ensure they didn't get stuck in the mud, but the weather killed what could have been a superb game of decent football.

The visitors immediately signalled their intentions as Adam Armstrong had a shot blocked by Andy Butler inside the opening minute, and Donny continued to be pressed back and forced to perform defensive duties for much of the first period.

Tony Mowbray's men dominated in the driving rain and Danny Graham twice went close - including an attack in which he had the ball bravely plucked from his feet by Marko Marosi, whilst Charlie Mulgrew also had a free-kick palmed away by Slovakian shot-stopper.

Looking towards the Family Stand section

Donny began to settle after their nervy opening and almost grabbed the opener against the run of play around the half-hour mark when James Coppinger picked the pocket of his marker on the right-wing and looped in a cross towards Alfie Beestin who saw his glancing header saved.

Blackburn's Bradley Dack then endured a 'miss of the season' moment not long prior to the interval when he found himself unmarked in a superb position, a few yards out, but his glancing header from Armstrong's shot somehow went wide when everyone behind the goal in the South Stand was just waiting for the net to ripple.

Referee Eddie 'the idiot' Ilderton has developed a certain reputation over the years and he's an official who I would recognise by sight alone. When that happens, it can only mean they're pretty damn useless and aren't remembered for anything positive.

If it's ever boring then why not play Candy Crush for most of the game?

He's not quite up there in Trevor Kettle's league for ridiculousness (then again, could anyone be as incompetent as that prat?), but Mr Ilderton made his mark on this game by blowing the half-time whistle with 44 minutes and 46 seconds on the stadium clock, during a period of play where Blackburn were on the attack.

Needless to say, his whistle-blowing antics didn't go down well with Blackburn's players so one can only assume that 'the idiot' was in need of some warmth at half-time and just didn't fancy getting wet for any longer. Either that, he was 'attention seeking' yet again.

In the second half, the Yorkshire version of Rovers seemed to finally get to grips with proceedings and started knocking the ball around and asking a few more questions of the opposition with Ben Whiteman and Matty Blair going close.

Fans in the South Stand enjoy the action

Blackburn then upped the ante, no doubt aware that promotion rivals Shrewsbury had also pulled their fingers out having initially trailed in their game at home to Peterborough, and started to enjoy a sustained spell of pressure.

Butler was fortunate not to inadvertently put through his own net when the ball bounced off his knee and went wide, via the post, before Mathieu Baudry was forced into some last-ditch defending as the resulting corner also wreaked havoc.

Eventually, Mowbray's men got what their performance deserved when Mulgrew expertly guided home a header following a corner with around 10 minutes left, and it sent the 4,000-strong travelling support directly behind the goal into raptures.

Donny's consistently tireless work-horse John Marquis nearly became the ultimate party-pooper on the brink of five minutes of injury-time (maybe Mr Ilderton was making up for lost time in the first half here?) when his powerful header was straight at Blackburn 'keeper David Raya, but it wasn't to be for the hosts.

It was no surprise that Blackburn fans entered the pitch

Off the pitch, I know Donny's MC Jonathan Heath may well like the sound of his own voice. On the whole I don't mind his microphone style whatsoever (and some MC's out there could learn a thing or two from him), but asking the Blackburn fans to stay off the pitch five times in the lead up to the final whistle was excessive to say the least.

More hilarious was the reasoning given that the request was for 'Elf & Safety reasons' only for Rovers to then go and turn on the sprinkler system, full blast, at that end of the ground when the inevitable pitch invasion occurred.

I know Mr Heath will have been under instructions from Safety Officers and other folk, but you can't give out claptrap reasons to not do something then whack on the sprinkler system, which if it hit someone and knocked them off their feet, it could lead to that person being trampled by the surging crowd behind them.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense will also surely realise the more you emphasise for people to not do something, the more likely it's going to make them disobey that order and do their own thing.

This is something Donny could do with learning pretty quickly, as Wigan Athletic rock into town on the final day of the season - in a position where they could win the league that day and their fans may want to take their own selfies on the Keepmoat pitch during any invasion...

Touring the San Siro

If you've ever been to Milan, aside from the expensive designer shops that will keep most female companions occupied for hours, you'll probably already know there isn't actually a huge amount of sights/landmarks to visit in the city.

The Duomo is probably Milan's best-known landmark

In the centre, there is 'Duomo' - probably Milan's most well-known landmark and one which attracts thousands of tourists (and pigeons) on an hourly basis, throughout the year, and it's only a stones throw from the world-famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which houses those stupidly expensive Gucci, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana type shops.

If you're into history, then Piazzale Loreto may be worth a visit as this was the place where fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was publicly strung up from a petrol station, shortly after he was captured and killed towards the end of World War II.

The view of the San Siro upon exiting the metro station

However, sports fans are almost certainly going to be drawn to a quiet suburb in the city's north-west where the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (that's the San Siro to most people) is located.

The San Siro is worth a visit regardless of whether or not there is a match being played simply due to its iconic status, and it'll also make up for the fact that unless you like art, fashion, designer handbags or famous monuments, it's the best sport-related thing to do in the city.

Italy's largest in terms of capacity is home to two giants of world football - AC Milan and Internazionale, both of whom have enjoyed considerable success over the decades but have fallen on more testing times in recent years.

Inside the San Siro on a brilliant summer morning

The teams, coincidentally, are a bit like the stadium nowadays as it was extensively renovated ahead of the World Cup in 1990, but has barely seen any major improvements since, barring the odd uplift here and there in preparation for hosting a UEFA Champions League final, etc.

A complete tour of the San Siro costs €17 and includes a visit to the museum which is split across two levels and includes a range of memorabilia ranging from a replica of the UEFA Cup, match balls from notable games and dozens of old shirts - including specific areas dedicated to AC and Inter as well as the Azzurri national team.

An old replica of the UEFA Cup on display in the museum

Newspaper cuttings, featuring key moments, also add a nice touch of nostalgia but there's a bit of an 'ad-hoc' feel about the whole tour as you're left to wander around and discover things for yourself, rather than have a dedicated tour guide who will explain a little more history.

Once you've finished in the museum and choose to head inside the stadium itself, you'll arrive at the 'mixed zone' area where journalists get to put key questions to players and managers. Interestingly, there appeared to be no huge press room where managers conduct their pre and post-match interviews so one can only gather that, for whatever reason, this area is off-limits to the general public.

Inter's changing looking bigger than it actually is

AC Milan's dressing room was the better of the two teams

Once you've finished at the mixed zone and wandered down a couple of the corridors, you're able to go inside both changing rooms and explore them at your own pace. Both teams' areas are decorated in their respective club colours and are very different from one another.

Whilst there are padded seats, colourful montages, plasma TV screens and several creature comforts in Milan's spacious dressing room, Inter's is far more basic (and smaller) with furniture that looks like it was purchased in IKEA and fitted by a couple of blokes on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

It's nevertheless an experience to see the contrasting differences between the two locker rooms and it also is probably a reflection of how the two clubs view themselves, not just in society, but in specific club traditions stretching back over a century.

Pitchside and perfect

The next destination after the dressing rooms is the long tunnel, decorated in AC Milan paraphernalia on my visit, which leads pitchside - and at this point you'll be hit by the spine-tingling numbness as the San Siro in all its glory and the gloriously green pitch appear in front of you.

Even though the seats represent a neutral colour, you can't help but be taken aback by both the sheer size of the stadium and the imposing and iconic roof, which seems even bigger when looking up towards it from pitch level.

Looking up towards one of the four iconic towers of the San Siro

Disappointingly, this is where the tour itself starts to become a disappointing as you're allowed to freely wander through the post seats at the front of the stand and into a couple of sections within the stands, but there's no chance to visit VIP, corporate or press areas - something which is offered at most other venues which offer tours.

You can also only visit a few sections in one stand and not every single stand, which at a lot of other places you can do. A lack of a tour guide here also really prevents you from learning more about the culture, the myths, the stories, the legends of the place and so much more could be offered to turn this into an even more memorable visit.

The iconic roof in all its glory

Naturally, like every tour, once you've finished strolling around the stands, it ends at the most predictable place; the club shop (or megastore as they're usually called nowadays) where you can purchase a wide-range of products at super-high prices.

Talking of super-high prices, it might be time do some shopping. Milan will always have a habit of getting you to part with your money...

Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Oxford United

Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Oxford United
Keepmoat Stadium
Saturday 21st April 2018
League One

A good afternoon for the southerners

Every now and then in football, teams dominate a game, create a shed load of chances and then suffer a sucker-punch where their hard work gets undone and the opposition are left celebrating.

Although there's close to nothing resting on the remaining fixtures of Doncaster's season, they endured a frustrating afternoon in South Yorkshire as Oxford visited the Keepmoat Stadium for the first time, picked their pockets and pinched three points.

The game wasn't a classic, and it even had shades of a pre-season friendly at times, but the result means that the visitors have all but mathematically guaranteed their League One status for another 12 months.

Oxford have goalkeeper Simon Eastwood to thank for their victory as his 'Man of the Match' performance was sublime and he pulled off several saves to deny Donny's frontline; spearheaded by the ever-impressive work-horse that is John Marquis.

Outside the ground before kick-off

It was Marquis' strike-partner Alfie May who first tested the U's 'keeper, midway through the first half, when he carved out a chance for himself with some clever footwork but Eastwood was quick off his line to narrow the angle and smother the youngster's powerful effort.

Marquis then powered a shot straight at Eastwood as Rovers searched for a win that would give them a very good chance of ending the season in the top half of the table.

At the other end, Oxford knocked the ball around quite well and they probably shaded the early midfield battle, but a combination of wayward shooting and attacks breaking down in the final third meant that Donny 'keeper Marko Marosi was hardly tested throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Oxford's fans traveled in good numbers for their first game at the Keepmoat Stadium

Marosi was finally given some real work to do shortly after the re-start when he made a routine stop from Jon Obika's low set-piece header, whilst Marquis had a similar effort gathered by Eastwood at the other end.

What could then be described as a game-changing moment occurred just shy of the hour mark when Oxford's on loan Doncaster-born midfielder Alex Mowatt was replaced by James Henry, who went on to score what would be the match-winning goal.

In some quarters, the substitution may fit straight into the book of 'Claptrap Cliches' and would be described as inspired, superb, etc, but it's worth remembering that for the first five minutes of Henry's time on the pitch, Oxford got absolutely ripped wide open and were lucky not to have found themselves behind.

The West Stand mafia had another afternoon of lino-bashing

Marquis emphatically smashed the ball home from Ben Whiteman's clever ball, but was judged to have strayed into an offside position so the goal didn't count, and then in a separate attack, Eastwood produced a magnificent point-blank save to deny Matty Blair when it seemed for all the world that the former York and Mansfield man would find the net.

With Darren Ferguson's team well on top, the visitors then went and did their best Dick Turpin impersonation by springing a surprise counter-attack from which they opened the scoring. Some slack marking meant Ryan Ledson wasn't noticed unmarked in the middle and he broke out-wide before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Henry who headed home.

It's become almost habitual for Doncaster fans to moan about referees over the years and this game was no different as the officials bore the brunt of protests after two failed penalty appeals.

Looking towards the East Stand's prawn sarnie army

May went down cheaply for the first appeal and then theatrically throwing his arms up in the air - evidently disappointed that his blatant dive failed to fool the officials, before substitute Jordan Houghton drew much more meaningful contact which, perhaps with a different referee, it would have resulted in a spot-kick.

The appeals at least proved Donny were getting the ball into dangerous areas despite Oxford's evident tactics to waste as much time as possible (who can blame them?) and they were yet again foiled when Eastwood's spectacular fingertip save denied Marquis a deserved goal with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Nevertheless, Rovers run out of ideas in the dying minutes as the visitors soaked up the pressure and by the time the long ball tactics were adopted and started coming into the box, no home player on the pitch seemed capable of acting as a proper target man to give them half a chance of an equaliser.

These folk had little to cheer on a frustrating afternoon

Whether Ferguson's players missed the influence of James Coppinger, who grabbed two assists in Tuesday's 3-3 draw with Bury, is a valid argument but their season look dangerously as if it's going to peter out.

Oxford, on the other hand, barring an almighty cock up, now appear to be safe and Karl Robinson will be eager to ensure there's no relegation worries next term.

5,327 days later... the same game!

A memorable game in a memorable season for both clubs

Tomorrow is 5,327 days since the first Football League match that I attended* way back on Saturday 20th September 2003.

The two teams that locked horns that day were Doncaster Rovers and Oxford United at the dilapidated but homely sh*thole that was Belle Vue - a venue which had more character to it than most venues nowadays, but that's worthy of a different topic altogether.

Tomorrow will be the first time since that the fixture list has thrown up the exact same fixture - bringing with it a sense of nostalgia, although there's little riding on the game with Rovers already safe in mid-table and Oxford not too far behind and probably needing just one more win to firmly put any lingering relegation worries to bed.

Football has evolved somewhat since 2003, but back then the U's went into the game unbeaten and top of the table whilst Donny were on a six-match winless streak.

The formbook suggested an away win. Instead, Oxford got their backsides walloped and a thunderbolt strike from Tim Ryan before half-time and a second half finish by Paul Green consigned the visitors to their only defeat in the first 20 or so matches of the season.

It was undoubtedly a turning point in the season for Rovers, who went on to win 12 of their next 14 matches before continuing their good form in the second half of the campaign and ultimately winning the Division Three title against the odds. Two seasons later, they were Carling Cup quarter-finalists; a year after Johnstone's Paint Trophy winners and finally, in 2008, they made it to the second tier for the first time in half a century.

Oxford, meanwhile, fell apart in the New Year. Manager Ian Atkins was dismissed and replaced by the controversial Graham Rix, who oversaw the side slip from promotion certainties to not even achieving a play-off place which looked absolutely certain at Christmas. Two years later, the club was relegated and it took them four years (and lots of frustration) before they returned to the Football League.

Whilst the game tomorrow probably won't provide as much drama, or act as a turning point for any team, it'll definitely have a sense of nostalgia about it.

*Apart from the last 10 minutes of a game at The Hawthorns between West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield Town, which finished in a 1-1 draw, in April 2001. Coincidentally, these two teams also met in a league fixture for the first time since earlier this season as well.

Winning the Blue Square Bet Premier... five years on!

It's hard to believe that it's five years this week since undoubtedly one of the most exciting ends to a season in football that I've experienced - the day when Mansfield Town beat Wrexham to win the Blue Square Bet Premier title.

Scenes of joy after beating Wrexham (Photo: Charlie Slater)

Looking back, it was an honour to follow the team and be in and around them on reporting duties throughout that season. Even the bad times, and believe me, there were plenty between August and November when results fluctuated from one game to the next, come with a sense of pride as to how the team ultimately created something uniquely special to turn things around and create a mentality of champions.

In my own view, the team that returned the club to the Football League is probably one of the most under-appreciated in the club's history as it's certainly no easy task to get out of the Conference Premier.

A squad full of characters (Photo: Dan Westwell)

Almost every player played a role, whether it be actively on the pitch, or off it. Exodus Geohaghon for his long-throws, which caused so many problems for the opposition. Alan Marriott for his crucial saves. Matt Rhead for his presence in the box and wrestling with so many defenders. Matt Green for his goals. Lee Beevers for his warrior-like spirit to keep going with so many injuries. Louis Briscoe and Lindon Meikle for their work out wide. Ritchie Sutton for his consistency. Ross Dyer, who despite a season-ending injury on the opening day, was never down-hearted and always looked for the positives. Andy Todd for his far-reaching knowledge on just about everything sport-related. Adam Murray for his tough-tackling and being the superglue in midfield. Lee Stevenson for his pigeon-like running but ability to pop up in the right place at the right time to finish off a chance and banter off the pitch. James Jennings for coming into the team mid-season and settling in straight away.

There was so many different characters, yet it created such a spirit that became unbreakable when it was tested to its core in the very late stages when the pressure was cranked up to boiling point.

There were obviously one or two players who had less of an impact - namely Jamie Hand and Gary Roberts, who looked the real deal on paper, yet delivered very little. Or Solomon Taiwo, who played in one game before he turned to cooking chicken and rice on TV (it's worth a Google if you don't know the story).

The gaffer, Paul Cox, speaks to the media moments after that win at Hereford (Photo: Martin Shaw)

After promotion, it's a shame that things worked out the way they did and promotion went to the head of certain individuals and Paul Cox's position was called into question by all and sundry - both from within and outside of the club, just like it had been 12 months earlier during a bad run in the title-winning season! The team deserved a lot more respect for what they achieved, the records they equaled or broke and returning the club to the Football League.

It was pleasing that most of the players who'd earned promotion (Coxy's 'good, honest boys' as they were labelled by some) got a chance to compete in the Football League and the 11th placed finish in 2013/14 shows they weren't overawed or scared by the prospect of facing technically better players.

Personally, it pleased me that the style which served the team so well (long balls and rough tactics) didn't change, even though the switch to 5-3-2 ultimately had a negative impact in the long-term when the budget was slashed stupidly and the goals dried up.

Lining up to face Liverpool - another season-changing game (Photo: Rob Waite)

Nevertheless, had promotion not been achieved in 2012/13, things could have been very different...

Just ask Wrexham, who five years on after losing the play-off final to Newport, find themselves on the brink of collapse and spending yet another season in non-league. Just ask Kidderminster Harriers, who would have been worthy title winners given they achieved something like 88 points from 36 games after their terrible start. Just ask Stockport County, who went for a big name in Dietmar Hamann when they were relegated from the Football League and despite having impressive attendances, suffered relegation and still find themselves in the Conference North.

There were plenty of memorable moments and it's undoubtedly the best season I've witnessed - both from having a top set of lads in the youth ranks, many of whom are still good mates to this day, to the special moments with the first team as they conquered the league.


Here are some of my own favourite moments...

Looking onto the pitch on a glorious afternoon (Photo: Charlie Slater)

The win at Barrow (6th April 2013): I've purposely selected this game first as it was two days after the 2-1 defeat at Wrexham where the record-equaling winning streak came to an end.

The game at Holker Steet produced a season-defining moment which a lot of people forget. At 0-0, around the half-hour mark, we gave away a penalty and 'Mazza' (Alan Marriott) saved it.

Had it gone in who knows how it would have affected the team? Anyway, by half-time, it was 2-0 and the game proved to be a routine 'walk in the park' victory. That penalty save was absolutely crucial though!

Sand, snow and a football match after lots of shoveling (Photo: Rob Waite)

The build up and beating Nuneaton (25th/26th March 2013): Over the season, various games were lost due to bad weather and cup commitments, and after heavy snow wiped out the scheduled game on the previous Saturday, there was an urgent need to get this game played as the fixture list was becoming congested.

The day before, everyone pulled together to clear snow off the pitch - ground staff, youth teamers, supporters and even Adam Murray and Richard Cooper chipped in to lend their support.

Sometimes these things can go either way and the game was one of those where we banged on the door for so long, created tons of chances, but couldn't find a breakthrough. There was a sense of anxiety as the minutes ticked by, not helped when Matt Green had a penalty saved by their 'keeper, but the pressure was lifted when Louis Briscoe's deflected free-kick found the net.

The scoreline should have been a lot greater than the 1-0 which it actually was, but getting the three points was most important. By chance, Kidderminster drew with Woking (I think) that night in a game they were probably expecting to win and those points proved costly.

Fine margins...

The calm before the storm on that night at Edgar Street (Photo: Martin Shaw)

Hereford (16th April 2013): This is probably a word to Mansfield fans what 'Istanbul' is to Liverpool fans as everyone remembers the game with massive affection and it's definitely an 'I was there' moment.

The pressure was well on, Kidderminster's players and fans alike were in the stands rooting for Hereford, and by the time Ryan Bowman had scored and Lee Beevers went off injured, we were well under the cosh so Matt Green's equaliser from a deep left-wing cross before half-time.

The second half got more and more intense as chances came and went as it was the proverbial roller-coaster of emotions that you simply don't get in other sports. Then that moment of pandemonium came with the most route one of route one goals you're ever likely to witness - just an absolute release of pure emotion, followed by bedlam, ecstasy and wild joy.

I know Hereford were skint at the time, but I don't think their tactic of 'offering free curry and cheap entry to Kiddy Harriers fans and players did them any favours and it just made the injury-time winner and celebrations even sweeter.

A packed house in the FA Cup at Sincil Bank (Photo: Charlie Slater)

Keeping the FA Cup dream alive (1st December 2012): Early in the season, before the 20 wins in 23 league games that took us to the title, I vividly remember thinking the FA Cup represented our best chance of modest success.

We properly dragged our heels against the lowest-ranked team in the shape of Slough Town in Round One and in the following round being away at Lincoln City wasn't going to be easy, but it was definitely a winnable tie.

The early kick-off tie at Sincil Bank is a bit of a blur, but I remember after squandering our early lead, the Imps properly put us under the cosh and probably just about deserved to edge through.

That was until Matt Rhead gets on the end of a ball into the box, pole-axing Adam Murray in the process and giving him whiplash; watch the celebrations as he runs off in the opposite direction, and levels the game at 3-3 with about 60 seconds remaining.

One day later, the Third Round draw is made and the winners get to play Liverpool. A season-changing moment right there for both clubs...

A smashing night in Surrey (Photo: Martin Shaw)

The Woking 'window incident' (6th March 2013): The game itself wasn't particularly memorable; Luke Jones scored a late winner in a gritty game, but the 'incident' afterwards highlighted the team togetherness.

The dressing room window was smashed by an object - stories at the time stated that it a brick had been used but my understanding was that a young lad had banged on the window, subsequently shattering it, and Alan Marriott ended up covered in glass. It's no surprise the team reacted in the way they did and fully kitted-up players running into the car park to try and get the culprit had a touch of comedy and superb togetherness about it at the same time.


And here's a few 'funnies' which happened that season...

- Andy Owens and the FA Cup tickets tweet, which got him in trouble. He only played a handful of games but he was a Scouser so when we drew Liverpool in the Third Round, it probably meant more to him than a lot of the other lads. The players could buy as many tickets as they wanted before it hit general sale. Then he goes and posts on Twitter, offering two tickets as a prize for retweets or something. A good lad, otherwise, and I didn't think he was a bad player really.

- The club secretary, a doddery old bloke, had a funny turn one afternoon in early-November. The paramedics  were called to check him over. In the meantime, the commercial manager comes into the office and plants a wreath for Armistice Sunday on the only empty desk (which happens to be the secretary's). Que a shout of 'I'm not f**king dead yet!' when the secretary returns from the ambulance!

- Gary Roberts actually got through a full 90-minute co-commentary without dropping an F, C or W bomb live on air. I can't remember who we were playing as it was early in the season, but I remember it causing quite a bit of banter.

- Nuha Jabbi, a youth-teamer, in a reserve game came on after 85 minutes after we'd contained a strong Hull City side. He had zero technical sense and gave away a penalty with his first involvement - hilarious looking back but totally infuriating at the time. Thankfully, the penalty was saved by Alan Marriott.

Doncaster Rovers 3-3 Bury

Doncaster 3-3 Bury
Keepmoat Stadium
Tuesday 17th April 2018
League Two

After a trip to watch Italian giants Juventus the previous weekend, followed by a stadium tour of the San Siro the following day, the midweek Sky Bet League One clash between Doncaster Rovers and Bury was a case of returning to earth with an almighty bang!

Bury have been hopeless for pretty much the entire campaign, despite assembling a large (and probably very expensive) squad last summer and had their relegation confirmed last weekend when they were thumped by fellow 'shocking beyond belief' strugglers Northampton Town.

Donny, meanwhile, have showed positive signs in recent months after a stop-start first half of the campaign completely blighted their progress. Despite not being either mathematically safe or out of the play-off picture, they are the definition of mid-table mediocrity.

With little at stake, and the pressure subsequently off, quite often these games can prove to be some of the most entertaining and on a mild South Yorkshire night this proved to be just the case.

Donny's pitch is looking better than it has at this stage in recent years

Rovers penned Bury back from the outset and raced into a lead as early as the second minute. Veteran James Coppinger's cross was inch-perfect for Andy Butler, who towered up in the air and planted a header firmly beyond the reach of Shakers 'keeper Joe Murphy; this being less than 60 seconds after the visitors had been forced to clear their lines from a first-minute corner.

Bury's night looked as if it was going to go from bad to worse, and having been lucky to survive when John Marquis stabbed the ball against a post in the fifth minute, they were completely outplayed up to just past the half-hour mark when Marquis did eventually find the back of the net.

At this point, the visiting fans must have been wondering why they'd even bothered turning up when their team clearly hadn't bothered.

Bury improved after the half-time interval

Nevertheless, a lucky break is often required when it seems like the whole world is against you, and that's what Bury got just before half-time when Donny's Niall Mason produced a superb 'Diego Milito' style header past his own 'keeper, whilst attempting to defend a set-piece.

After the re-start, things began to get interesting as Bury upped the ante and found themselves back on level terms when Jay O'Shea sent the ball past Marko Marosi from the penalty spot, after Matty Blair had committed a foul inside the area.

This seemed to raise the Shakers' confidence levels - probably not surprising as they've been crap since the opening day so coming from two goals down to get back on level terms is a minor miracle in itself.

Looking towards the 100-or-so visiting supporters

Incredibly, they completed the turnaround just shy of the hour mark when Zemi Ismail skipped away down the right flank and played the ball across goal towards an unmarked George Miller, who finished from close-range despite looking in a very, very, very questionable position at least a yard beyond the last defender.

It's a good job that little was riding on the result of the game otherwise Rovers boss Darren Ferguson might have been asking The FA to dish out capital punishment to a match official for the second time this season after his infamous rant against the referee in the January draw with Plymouth Argyle.

Bury's problem, however, is the fact they are basically totally useless and it wasn't long before it was 3-3 as Coppinger's teasing corner met the head of Andy Boyle, who powered a header between the goalkeeper and defender on the post.

In the closing stages, both teams played with a certain swagger that isn't usually seen during a normal game within a campaign and opted to try and attack in search of a late winner. Rovers had the better chances but too often their shots were straight at Murphy, whilst Bury looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

A point apiece certainly wasn't the expected outcome, especially when the opening half-hour is taken into consideration, and despite their comeback a lot of work is needed in the summer to stop Bury from potentially going the same way as Tranmere Rovers, Leyton Orient or Chesterfield in the next couple of years.

Finally, despite certain questions over his longevity in matches nowadays, it's worth noting that James Coppinger grabbed two assists and looked in fine form in this game. On this performance, surely he's worth of a one-year contract extension?

Juventus 3-0 Sampdoria

Juventus 3-0 Sampdoria
Serie A

Sunday 15th April 2018

Whenever the question is asked 'Who is the most expensive football team to watch?' then Italian giants Juventus can certainly stake a claim for eye-watering ticket prices that makes watching some of the British rip-off merchants seem like a total bargain.

The Allianz Stadium from the outside

Tickets for their game against Sampdoria last weekend went on general sale at €75 (that's also not including the €5.70 booking/card fee). The cheapest tickets, priced at €35 in the Curva Sud, are seemingly reserved purely for club members/ultras - thus forcing the general public into forking out extortionate amounts to see a game!

Their opponents, Sampdoria, aren't anywhere near as great as they were during their heyday in the 1990s when they were a genuine force to be reckoned with. The Genoa-based outfit aren't going to launch a title challenge anytime in the near future and nowadays, they're basically a mid-table team who might sneak a qualifying berth for the Europa League every now and then.

For the Bianconeri to charge such inflated prices for such opponents is scandalous and, one can only assume, the club has made this decision due to the stadium's relatively low capacity when compared to other clubs of a similar stature across the continent.

The most modern stadium in Italy

Anyway, that's my rant finished on ticket prices. I don't expect the club to take any notice of a mere mortal such as myself, but for anyone reading this and thinking of heading here, it may be worth your while seeing Juventus against an unattractive team such as SPAL, Crotone or Benevento where hopefully prices will be lower.

Failing that, you could always stay in the city centre and go and watch Torino!

The Curva Sud (Ultra's End) where they get cheap tickets

The Allianz Stadium is some seven kilometres from the city centre (built on the site as the hugely-unpopular former Stadio Delle Alpi), but it's relatively easy to reach.

The No.9 tram service runs from Porto Nuova station, passing Porto Susa and the Main Bus/Coach Terminus en route, and takes about 30-45 minutes. On matchdays, the service terminates at the stadium itself, whereas on non-matchdays, it finishes in the neighbourhood on the opposite side of the ground - closer to the shopping complex and Juventus Museum. Another option on matchdays, which I opted for, is to take the metro to Bernini (about half a dozen stops from Porto Nuova) and catch the tram from there. Again, this option takes around 30-45 minutes.

Whereas most stadiums in Italy are council-owned bowls in desperate need of redevelopment (and a roof quite often), Juventus are one of the extremely few clubs in the country who outright own their stadium and therefore facilities are much superior to everywhere else.

A restricted view seat at €90. Fantastic!

It'll be a painstakingly slow progress but with A.S. Roma moving out of the Stadio Olimpico to their own smaller-capacity but outright-owned stadium within the next few years, hopefully they can lead the way for a lot of Italian clubs wishing to do the same.

When inside the stadium, it was disappointing that my €90 seat would be classed by some clubs as a restricted view seat as a protective glass shield at the front of the upper tier interfered with the view of the pitch!

Nevertheless, the PA system was probably the loudest that I've heard anywhere (except Rochdale where I once suffered a speaker doing horrendous things to my eardrums one Boxing Day) and a rousing rendition of 'Storia Di Un Grande Amore' certainly made the hairs on the back of neck stand up and made the ticket prices seem just a tiny bit more bearable.

The atmosphere was terrific and made up for the high prices

Napoli's draw at AC Milan earlier in the day meant that a win for Juventus would put them six points clear of their title rivals with six games remaining and they subsequently took full advantage.

Sampdoria didn't roll over and make life easy for the hosts, but they simply couldn't deal with the free-flowing Bianconeri juggernaut that has romped to the last five Serie A titles! Yes, they had chances and Gigi Buffon had to make saves, but Juve looked capable of stepping up a gear or two whenever they wanted.

The game-changing moment came just before half-time when Douglas Costa provided Miralem Pjanic and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Mario Mandzukic to finish, which sparked jubilant scenes in the stands as Bianconeri fans danced away to The Fratelli's 'Chelsea Dagger' (goal music that seems to still be popular despite having been around for years now).

The game in progress as Juventus clinch another win

Costa was at it again in the second half - providing two further assists for Benedikt Howedes to find the net with a bullet-header, before slipping the ball into the path of Sami Khedira who finished with aplomb with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

The most disappointing player on the pitch was Paulo Dybala who had one weaving run towards the end of the first half, but subsequently contributed very little else and was replaced midway through the second period.

Why he is so highly rated and sought after by many of Europe's elite clubs remains a mystery.  Although he can provide flashes of brilliance, such as in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season, he's yet to deliver the type of consistency that truly world class players do deliver on a week in, week out basis. It could be argued that his scoring record speaks for itself but surely nowadays a player is expected to deliver more than just goals and the odd flash of creativity? At international level he's yet to find the target and there are even doubts whether he'll be selected by Argentina for the World Cup itself later this year.

With his red card in the first-leg of the recent defeat to Real Madrid and his performance here, scouts from elsewhere could quite easily be having doubts over the thought of what he would actually contribute if he got a move to Manchester United, Barcelona or any other multi-million pound club with aspirations of winning trophies.

The view from the back of the upper tier at half-time was breathtaking

All in all, this expensive trip to see 'the best stadium in Italy' wasn't worth the money as the high ticket prices leave a bittersweet taste that would put off a lot of potential visitors, but it was still a pleasure to witness Italy's best domestic team with the best players in the best stadium in the country...

A roof that provides cover and still allows you to get wet!

...apart from the roof having gaps in it, which helped you get wet when it rained. Very strange!

Estadio Municipal, Braga

For anyone of a certain age, Euro 2004 will bring back plenty of fond memories.

The main entrance to the stadium is hidden in an underground car park

England had a genuine chance of winning (until it came to penalties, at which point things inevitably took a turn for the worse), a young Cristiano Ronaldo was the inspiration for the hosts, and Greece somehow triumphed against all the odds.

There was also the less-than-memorable 'silver goal' and it remains the only tournament which Latvia have participated in; something you have probably long-since forgotten - unless of course you happen to be Latvian!

One of the most striking stadiums of the tournament is the 'odd ground built into the cliffs' which is otherwise known as Estadio Municipal - the home of Sporting Clube de Braga.

Imposing, inspiring and a magnificent stadium

The stadium has won numerous awards in the years since, owing to its superb design, and it remains an absolute masterpiece of architecture - completely different to every other venue in the world that you're ever likely to see.

Visiting the Estadio Municipal was a burning desire that I'd held pretty much ever since this tournament and unlike England's national team, I was determined that one day dreams would become a reality.

The stadium front - oppressive or magnificent? Decide for yourself...

So during a week-long trip to Portugal, I ventured to this deeply religious town on a day trip, primarily to take in this most unique of stadiums. The weather wasn't great though it only served to add to the feeling of being somewhere very special.

Inside the ground at the end next to the quarry
(with thanks to the groundsman who let me inside to take a few photos)

Pitchside; from where the stands look absolutely huge!

Another view that shows the sheer size of the stands

This side-view of the stand gives an indication of the work that went in during construction

A closer look 'behind the goal'
Being adjacent to it, the quarry doesn't seem that huge (maybe it's an illusion?)

How to get to Braga?

A reminder incase you forget where you are

Located in the north-west of the country, Braga is easily accessible from all other major towns and cities in Portugal.

The closest airport is Porto, approximately 50 kilometres away. Direct bus services to Braga are in operation from outside the terminal building and journey times are around an hour.

An express train from Lisbon will set you back around €30-€40. The journey time is around 4hrs. If travelling from Porto, travel costs vary but are still inexpensive compared to plenty of other countries on the continent.

MONEY SAVING TIP: Before you go, check the calendar for Portuguese Bank Holidays! On my visit, I was fortunate to visit Braga on a bank holiday and paid just €2 for a RETURN TICKET from Porto Campanha. Obrigado!


What else is there to see?

The Bom Jesus de Monte on a very, very foggy day

The steps of the Bom Jesus de Monte. Grandiose architecture!

Braga is considered to be the most religious place in the country and is also the location of the magnificent 'Bom Jesus de Monte' which welcomes hundreds of visitors per day.

There is a frequent bus service to 'Bom Jesus' departing from immediately outside the train station and as of December 2017, buses departed at 30-minute intervals.

Braga city centre is also a short walk from the railway station and is home to a number of interesting and different attractions.

Also, don't be surprised to hear more than a few religious songs being played over speaker-type systems as you make your way through the pleasant, quaint and narrow streets of the centre.

A selection of photos, showcasing what the city has to offer, can be seen below:

Braga city centre is easy to explore

One of the numerous religious buildings situated in the city

The quaint, narrow and delightful streets

Getting tickets for a Braga game?

Although I've yet to visit the Estadio Municipal for a game (something which will hopefully become a reality within the next year or two), tickets are apparently relatively straightforward and easy to purchase.

Portuguese clubs generally aren't the best when it comes to speed or efficiency, but tickets can be bought online with prices starting at around €10 for most games. Expect to pay more when the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Porto or Benfica are in town.

Looking into the ground from the quarry

History

For a detailed history about the Estadio Municipal, including a fascinating account of just how much effort was put in during the construction stage, then follow this link.