http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/HolbrookRadcliffe/
Left Mossley about midday - mistake - everyone seemed to be on the roads in Tameside; probably something to do with getting all the jobs done before "couch potatoing" the Manchester derby at 1245. Once we were away from Glossop and heading for Chapel-en-le-Frith, it was plain sailing. Drove straight to Holbrook, leapt out, allowing Mrs Smiffy the final couple of miles back to Belper. It was about 1350 - and they'd run out of programmes - rumour was that only about 10 were printed - and 8 of them were in the dressing rooms !! Took a "wrong turning" in the car park, walking past a quaint little hut (pictured) before ending up on the bowling green (well the surround !).
Retraced steps and found "ticket hut". It was £2-50 - I proffered a tenner and was asked if I had the right change - I had about £2-14 - this was greeted with "That'll do !". We sorted it out in the end - and yes I paid full whack !
Met Andy, his cousin and his lad - and not long after the start Tim (aka "Snapper" from Belper Town) turned up as well. I don't think the five of us actually doubled the gate - but we certainly gave it a mighty percentage increase !
To the game - I reckon 30p a goal is a pretty good return for your money. The home team (in blue) bossed the first half - playing uphill no less - and were good value for a 3-0 lead. Expecting some more in the second half I remained at the same end. OK so I nipped into the bar for a fine pint of Fullers "London Pride" on the pump - with a sparkler on (a touch rare in these parts I feel) during the break..
The expected avalanche failed to materialise - at my end anyway - instead I watched FIVE goals go in at the other ("wrong" ?) end - with each goal you could see the confidence draining out of Holbrook and surging into Radcliffe - by the end, I'm afraid Radcliffe were walking the ball in past a devastated defence and a much-bemused Danny Tollerfield (played a few for Belper Town this season) - apart from the penalty which was blasted in.
Into the club after the game to watch the Sky videprinter - with it being a 1400 kick off we got to watch most of the second half - the howls of anguish came from me when Bristol Rovers went in front at Hartlepool on 86 minutes were from me - having been at Edgeley Park only three days earlier - and having a Stockport County fan in the office. The anguish had already gone from my fellow drinkers (Derby fans y'see) 7 days or so earlier....never mind they've beaten Leeds today (12 minutes of stoppage time - in the first half ???).
Back into Belper - and into the "George" to meet Pistol and Davro who were watching the Villa v Sheff United game - Dad with Villa shirt on - non-Dad with Sheffield United shirt on. Oh dear...oh dear - so it's all down to the wire for the Blades next weekend.
Back to mother-in-laws - sat dutifully through "Grease is the Word" and "Any Old Crap will Do" whilst mother-in-law, sister-in-law and wife talked through them both (!). Sleep - home today - and this - tonight - a 40th birthday bash in Top Mossley - Happy Birthday Lynn !
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