Nuremberg 2-0 Eintracht Braunschweig (2018)

Nuremberg 2-0 Eintracht Braunschweig
2.Bundesliga
Monday 30th April 2018

Having travelled a vast amount around Europe in the few years previously, Nuremberg (and the Max-Morlock Stadion) was a place which I always wanted to visit at some point.

Steeped in history due to various events which occurred during the Second World War, the stadium is one of the most well-known in Germany and situated just a stone's throw from the former Nazi Party rally grounds - the remnants of which are still standing! In more recent times, it's also where England beat Trinidad & Tobago in the Group Stages of the 2006 World Cup.

A trip here can be as eye-opening as it can be educational and with cheap flights at favourable hours from Manchester Airport making it very viable, it was too good to turn down the opportunity to finally explore everything which Nuremberg had to offer.

It certainly didn't disappoint and, having spent the Saturday evening and Monday afternoon in the city centre, the few hours leading up to kick-off were spent wandering in the late afternoon sunshine across what remains of the former rally grounds - taking in sights such as the Congress Hall (creepy when you're on your own - even in sunset!) and the vast Zeppelinfeld. 

Although Monday night football in Germany is vastly unpopular, there was a near-capacity crowd for this game - mainly because Nuremberg fans knew that a win would put them on the verge of securing promotion back to the Bundesliga after a four-year absence.

As a consequence of my pre-match explorations, I turned up later than I usually would at the turnstiles, having also stopped to sample a very good Bratwurst, and was met by a sight of what can only be described as a huge, disorganised scrum with everyone in a hurry to get past the security checks, through the turnstiles and into the stadium in time for kick-off.

It's fair to say social distancing wasn't a thing back in 2018 though, thankfully, the scrum was moving quickly enough to get into the stadium only a few minutes prior to the 8.30pm start.

Due to the strange shape of the stadium and the running track, spectators are located what seems to be miles away from the pitch and there's an almost claustrophobic feeling about the place with the sloping roof creating a 'boxed in' sensation (see photos). It wasn't quite straightforward to find my seat initially, though thankfully I was eventually pointed in the right direction!

On the pitch, it was all pretty comfortable for the hosts and a sign of the problems to come for Braunschweig (Brunswick in English) who were one of a number of teams caught up in a battle to avoid relegation to the third tier.

Ondřej Petrák opened the scoring just before half-time and with the tone firmly set, Kevin Mohwald settled any possible doubts about the outcome by making it 2-0 soon after the re-start - leading to euphoric celebrations amongst the jubilant home fans who sensed promotion back to the top flight was set to become a reality.

However, along with Fortuna Dusseldorf who won the league, it proved to be just a one-season stay in the Bundesliga as they were promptly relegated in 2018/19. Braunschweig fared no better in what remained of 2017/18 as they were unable to arrest a slide which saw them relegated along with one-time heavyweights Kaiserslautern!

Photos from the Zeppelinfeld and Congress Hall

Photos from the Max-Morlock Stadion

Southend United 0-1 Doncaster Rovers (2006)

Southend United 0-1 Doncaster Rovers

Coca-Cola League One

Saturday 22nd April 2006

When Michael McIndoe usurped to Derby County in March 2006 from the shadows of his departure stepped James Coppinger.

The 25-year-old hadn't exactly set the world alight since his arrival from Exeter City and, then in his second year at Belle Vue, there'd even been speculation linking him with a loan switch to Rotherham United just a few months earlier.

Nevertheless, it was Coppinger's finish to the 2005/06 campaign - in the absence of the much-talked about McIndoe, plus subsequent events at the start of the following season when Sean O'Driscoll replaced Dave Penney, which set the tone for him to go on to have such a distinguished career at the club.

Celebrations after Coppinger's goal (Photo: Getty Images).

This game at Roots Hall against Southend United was particularly memorable for various reasons.

Under Steve Tilson, the Shrimpers had defied the odds and knew that a win here would see them achieve a second successive promotion to reach the Championship. Roots Hall was packed to the rafters and media had travelled from far and wide to witness what everyone anticipated would be their big day - including John Salako who was positioned close to the away end and doing live updates for Soccer Saturday. 

Southend's attack was one of the most formidable in the division with Shaun Goater and Lee Bradbury on the books, though their undoubted shining light was 20-goals-a-season striker Freddy Eastwood who, it was rumoured, lived in a caravan at the time. 

With three games of the League One season to go, Rovers still had lingering hopes of finishing in the play-off positions but knew that doing so would be unlikely. Quite simply, they had to win every game and hope that several results elsewhere were favourable!

After plenty of fanfare and a buzz of excitement around the ground in the run up to kick-off, there was a pleasant surprise in Rovers' starting line-up with Jermaine McSporran making his long-awaited first team return having been sidelined for just over a year with a knee injury.

The 10,397 crowd watched on as Southend knocked the ball around pretty well in the early minutes but lacked both fortune and a cutting edge from the half-chances which came their way. Rovers eventually settled when a long downfield punt by Alan Blayney (remember him!) put Duncan Jupp under pressure and a mistake allowed Lewis Guy to get in-behind but the striker couldn't find the target.

Old John Salako can't have done too many updates for Soccer Saturday during the first period but he did cop some 'banter' chants from the Donny fans due to his uncanny resemblance to Jason Grimshaw (off Coronation Street) which he took in good spirit.

The ex-Premier League midfielder was soon on everyone's TV screens though because within a minute of the re-start as Guy atoned for his earlier gilt-edged miss by turning Adam Barrett and feeding a delightful inviting ball into the path of Coppinger who emphatically smashed it home.

Celebrating the good times! (Photo: Unknown).

Whilst there was stunned, dumbfounded silence amongst Southend's fans, whose big day was threatening to be ruined, Coppinger's goal prompted wild celebrations in the away end directly behind the goal - especially from 'Pie Man' (Jake Power) who whipped his shirt off to reveal the exact reasons why he earned his famous nickname. Sadly, no longer with us, 'Pie' was an absolute legend, ever-present at every game and you couldn't meet a bigger DRFC supporter during this particular era.

The shirt was soon off again when Guy put the ball in the back of the net to seemingly make it 2-0, and provoke more celebrations, only for the officials to turn joy to despair and rule the 'goal' out due to offside. 'Pie's' quickfire stripping antics on this occasion was picked up by the TV cameras and resulted in him being featured on Soccer AM the following week!

Sean Thornton caused all sorts of problems; setting up long-serving right-back Simon Marples in one move who saw his effort saved by Darryl Flahavan, but eventually the tide began to turn and Southend finished proceedings strongly.

With a win that would have taken them up to the Championship looking increasing unlikely as precious minutes ebbed away, Doncaster were only too happy to be party poopers and the final whistle was meant with war-cries of 'Rovers Til I Die' and chants of 'P*ssed on Your Party!' to the Southend fans who were scuttled out the ground in disappointment.

Coppinger maintained his fine form by scoring the winner in a victory over Oldham Athletic the following week before making it four goals in as many games as Rovers won 2-0 at Tranmere Rovers on the final day of the season though results elsewhere meant they missed out on the play-offs.

Southend, meanwhile, went up to the Championship the following week and were promoted alongside Essex rivals Colchester United. It's a stark contrast to the time of writing where, on the back of a defeat in the Essex Derby, the Shrimpers need a massive miracle if they're to remain in the Football League beyond this weekend!

Celebrations after the opener (Photo: Unknown).

Some European Super League thoughts...

The European Super League has FINALLY arrived and despite the predictable shock, outrage and widespread backlash that it has caused, nobody should be surprised.

Quite simply, this day has been a long, long time coming!

A packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a Premier League game! But how many would turn out in the European Super League?

Whilst a lot has been said across the football world which generally fits into the same rhetoric; that the proposed ESL is a power-grabbing disgrace from a few clubs fuelled on a dream of increasing bank balances and that it needs to be prevented, the events of the last 24 hours or so should instead be perceived as a fantastic opportunity for everyone to pause, take stock and for the whole football agenda in this country to be reset!

If we're being honest, the so-called 'working man's game' as most people like to perceive football, has been anything but a level playing field for many years now. The same clubs seemingly dominate everything but it's not just the self-proclaimed 'big six' that are the problem - they're part of a wider issue whereby clubs right across the country have been self-serving, chasing money and neglecting their fans in the process. How many clubs, whether it be in the Premier League or the divisions below, have gambling institutions associated with their brand - something which is a moral issue for so many people? How many clubs have grossly excessive ticket prices which, quite simply, stop the average working man from going to a game to support whichever team he pledges his allegiance to? The rich, the greedy and the ruthless have long since become infested at all levels of our game.

That's why this moment, amidst so much debate and concern, is a great opportunity to press the reset button and fix what is broken.

Though its hard not to perceive Prime Minister Boris Johnson as being a complete hypocrite given that he's the sole reason why fans haven't been allowed in stadiums for the vast part of this season, it's good that senior Government figures, amongst others, have at least come out and voiced their opinion on the ESL proposals - something which has led to mooted talk about restructuring the entire manner in which football clubs are owned and run in this country anyway!

That is long overdue and if, consequentially, a policy comes to fruition which is similar in any shape or form to the '50+1' model that's in operation in Germany, then it can't be a bad thing.

Having travelled extensively across Europe watching numerous matches over the past few years, but especially in the Bundesliga, the whole matchday experience there is light years ahead of the UK. For example, fans groups are respected and listened to, ticket prices are very affordable (about €20 to watch a top division game), access to local transport is often included in the price of your match ticket, terracing is available for fans who want to stand and watch a game, plus you can have a beer in your seat.

Who wouldn't want to see that in this country?

Standing up, having a beer on the terrace and watching the football at your fan-owned club... what's not to like about the German football structure?

The owners of the 'big six' (though I'm not sure how Spurs fit into that description as they've never been a 'big' club) seem adamant that they want to create their own Super League and deem a closed-shop franchised structure to be the way forward. If they can get the financial backing, the TV audiences from the Far East and everything else required for it to be a success in their eyes then good luck to them! 

What is actually the point in trying to keep them in our English pyramid when, clearly, their true intentions are no longer in the domestic product which they've dominated for so long? Eventually, the owners of these clubs are going to get their own way and change will happen. Their true intentions, their greed and their desire to achieve it aren't just suddenly going to become different because their proposals have been met with fierce resistance. 

If it was a marriage, would you try and keep hold of a cheating partner who is openly wanting to cop off with a richer, sweeter and more lucrative sugar daddy who lives in what's perceived to be a perfect world, or would you wash your hands instead? 

It's easy to see why Premier League clubs and those further down the pyramid should feel concerned as marketing a 'Manchester United vs Arsenal' fixture is quite clearly much easier than 'Burnley vs Fulham'. TV deals would drop in value if any breakaway did come to fruition as would sponsorship deals, revenue streams, general income and everything else and clubs would need to cut their cloth accordingly in order to survive. 

Nevertheless, fewer riches on offer in the Premier League isn't necessarily a bad thing.

For starters, it would end the ridiculous scenario whereby more than half the clubs currently in the Championship commit to reckless and unsustainable spending every year in an effort to get Willy Wonka's Golden 'Promotion' Ticket to the top flight! Whatever happens in the weeks and months ahead, the level of expenditure in that division needs to change otherwise its only a matter of time before a club ceases to exist!

The bubble has to burst at some point if football is to ever, meaningfully, connect with its working class roots again. Right now, the entire fabric is broken, the disconnect between clubs and supporters at many levels of the game (not just at the top!) is huge and has been in need of being fixed for an awfully long time. Should this be the landmark event that results in changes and reforms on ownership to give fans more influence and more of a say, and prevent a similar situation to this from ever happening again, then bring it on. It can only be a good thing!

Football can certainly flourish without the 'big six' - it certainly won't die because a select few want to go and create their own franchised environment for the elite. There was life before Manchester City had Arab millions ploughed into them and won trophy upon trophy, or before Roman Abramovich rocked up at Stamford Bridge and made a load of promises. 

Granted, it may not be the same but with change comes hope of better and fairer competition with a variety of clubs being in with a realistic chance of earning 'success' on the pitch. Football can be fresher, brighter, more affordable, more competitive and more popular with clubs connecting better with the 'legacy fans' (to coin a phrase used by the elite) than at any point in recent times.

Here's hoping for a brighter future! Amidst the outcries of condemnation, there is a big opportunity there to be grasped by the 'big six' freezing themselves out of what needs to be an exciting new chapter for English football.

Huddersfield Town (U17s) 2-0 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

Huddersfield Town (U17s) 2-0 Doncaster Rovers (U18s)

Football League Youth Alliance

Saturday 17th April 2021

The penultimate match of the Youth Alliance season ended in disappointment for Doncaster Rovers as they were comfortably beaten by Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town at the PPG Canalside training complex.

On a warm morning, the lads created a difficult situation for themselves as Conor Falls was able to put Huddersfield ahead during what was a very frustrating opening 45 minutes. Rovers' performance improved after the re-start but not before Ernaldo Krasniqi had doubled the hosts advantage from the penalty spot.

Jack Goodman enjoyed the best opportunity for a consolation in the dying stages when he showed excellent technique to bring down a cross into the area though his subsequent attempt flew over the woodwork when it seemed impossible to miss.

Two changes were made to the starting xi from last Saturday's deserved 4-2 win over Bradford City as Charlie Bell was unavailable which paved the way for Lewis Cunningham to return in his usual left-back position, whilst Ethan Bojang skippered the team from midfield in place of Jack Raper.

It was Huddersfield who began much the brighter, implementing facets of their possession-based game-plan from the outset, and they twice went close to making a very early breakthrough. The Terriers first chance saw a looping lob-shot from inside the area end up on the top of Rovers 'keeper Luke Chadwick's net, then only a minute or two later, another youngster wearing a blue and white shirt received a pass in a dangerous position but was only able to fire into the side-netting from about 10 yards.

From an early stage it was evident that Huddersfield were very good at retaining the ball and moving it around - thus testing Rovers' shape and organisation. Nevertheless, it was quite clear that Donny were sitting far too deep and Alex Wolny, playing as a sole striker, cut a lonely and isolated figure on his own up top for large swathes whenever the ball went forward. The support from out wide simply wasn't there!

Will Hollings' game almost came to a premature end on the quarter-hour mark when Bobby Faulkner won possession high up the pitch, though his momentum meant he accidentally followed through with a tackle on his team-mate. The sound of studs clattering against the shin pad was loud and it looked horrible but thankfully Hollings was able to continue after some treatment.

Only a few minutes later, Huddersfield took a deserved lead given they'd had most of the possession, created more chances and been in the ascendancy for longer spells.

Trying to play out from the back, Lewis Cunningham was dispossessed following a heavy pass to him and the Terriers moved the ball quickly from the right channel to the edge of the box where Falls' accurate low drive beat Chadwick to make it 1-0.

The goal needed to provoke a response from Rovers but with Wolny so isolated on the front-line, openings were extremely sporadic and whenever the ball was moved forward, it came back pretty much straight away - thus, it was a frustrating watch from the sidelines!

Chadwick was kept busy in Doncaster's goal - gathering a relatively comfortable low free-kick from 25 yards and showing good hands to claim quite a few crosses and when he was eventually beaten (from a set-piece delivery), the referee judged him to have been fouled by a Huddersfield player.

Despite the frustrations going forward, Rovers finished the first period with a flurry of half-chances from which they might have equalised. 

Michael Nesbitt would have scored a sensational solo goal if his venomous 35-yard drive on the back of a run and a couple of touches to find space, not flew over the upright. More pressure followed and right on the half-time whistle, the still-isolated Wolny created an opening for himself - holding the ball up extremely well having initially gone to ground inside the box before using his strength to twist, turn and unleash a scooping shot which the 'keeper saved.

After the re-start, Corie Cole came into proceedings much more and was soon victim of a scything tackle on the edge of the box following a three-on-three breakaway which came as a result of Wolny's strength to set a move going from the halfway line. The subsequent free-kick into the danger zone caught a glancing header from someone but ended up going narrowly wide of the 'keepers right-hand post.

Cole then linked up with Parkinson a couple of minutes later who'd taken up a clever position inside the box but his 'air shot' allowed the ball to run through to a Huddersfield defender who was only too grateful to pick up possession.

Although Rovers' tempo was improving, the hosts remained dangerous, fluid and good in possession and they almost made it 2-0 when a drilled drive from 20 yards was only parried by Chadwick which required Faulkner to make a crucial interception to deny the striker from the follow-up.

Nevertheless, on the hour mark, it was 2-0.

A cross into the danger zone had the visiting defence stretched one more and, eventually - with home players almost queuing up to score, Nesbitt was judged to have blocked a shot on the goal-line by using his hands. The referee straight away pointed to the spot despite then being heard to say 'I don't agree with it but I've got to give it' (draw your own conclusions from that!) and Krasniqi stepped up from the back to drive a low shot into the bottom-right corner which Chadwick nearly got a hand to.

A series of substitutions then took place with Max Jemson, Goodman and Raper amongst the faces introduced with around 25 minutes or so remaining. It also led to a change in shape with Goodman taking up a position alongside Wolny in attack.

Rovers needed a lucky break if they were going to find a way back into things and it almost came through Faulkner. Again, it was Cole who provided the delivery from which the big defender connected with and his header ricocheted off the near-post and caused a scramble - the outcome of which was successful for the Terriers as the ball was played away to safety.

Huddersfield 'keeper Michael Roxburgh hadn't had a vast amount to do, in all fairness, but he was soon called into action when he palmed away Cunningham's cross-shot from the left flank which initially looked as though it might creep under the woodwork.

Cunningham was then off-target from a free-kick and as precious minutes faded away, Hollings also lacked accuracy with a drive from 20 yards.

The best chance that Rovers created came right at the end of proceedings. Cole provided another inviting cross from out wide which was fabulously taken down inside the box by Goodman, whose touch and technique was spot on though his subsequent effort somehow cleared the upright when it seemed for all the world as if he'd smash the ball into the back of the net.

Overall, the result was a fair reflection of what unfolded. 

Huddersfield played some very neat, attractive and clever football - being streetwise when it was required (with things such as knocking the ball away and shirt-pulling) whereas Rovers didn't really get going until after the damage had been done. In terms of opponents whose game is based around 'pure football' this was arguably the toughest test they've come up against this season.

The positives for Rovers were Alex Wolny's performance. Up on his own and isolated against physically taller opponents who weren't going to make life easy, his individual performance suggested he was physically stronger and more creative as he got the better of them on quite a few occasions. When he needed support, especially in the first 45 minutes, sadly it just wasn't there as neither of the wide players in Corie Cole or Tom Parkinson pressed high as much as they needed to and Huddersfield also dictated the midfield battle more often than not.

Cole improved significantly in the second period and produced some good bits of play - even though he was kicked, clattered and drew more fouls than anyone else on the pitch. 

This perhaps could have been eradicated by the referee who seemed extremely reluctant to use his cards - even at times when showing one was probably required just to set a precedent. He was weak, wanted to be everyone's best mate with his approach and not someone you'd want to officiate your game every week, but importantly he wasn't the reason for the end result.

With no Youth Alliance fixture pencilled in for next weekend, the season now draws to its conclusion in a fortnight's time when Mansfield Town make the trip to the Keepmoat Stadium.