AWAY THE GAS
BY DARREN STOBBS
As we entered the final third of the season, I’ll bet most Gasheads would not have expected to be in a relegation scrap at the wrong end of the table.
On the other hand, tradition will tell you that since first being relegated into the Fourth Division in 2001, we have always struggled in at least the first season in there.
On research in the last 10 seasons, second from bottom have gone down on points ranging from 34 to 46. Looking back at the table in the dreaded season we went into non-league, we went down on 50 points. I must admit, that it was the first time I had looked at the final standings, since that happened.
So, we started this vital period of fixtures away to Cambridge United, leaving The Mem at 8:10am. Heading towards London, we stopped at South Mimms services for 50 minutes and then headed for the M11. With news of an accident ahead of us, we diverted off the motorway, certainly taking some roads that we haven’t been on before! Firstly, skirting past Stanstead airport, then passing through some picturesque villages and seeing some massive stately homes!
We arrived at The Abbey Stadium at 12:40pm. Prior to our journey, we were contacted by Cambridge Utd to say they were happy to welcome us into their Supporters Club, just outside the ground. Real ale was reasonably priced at £4.70p, food was also on offer, in three large rooms also showing the live match on TV.
I have got to know the Cambridge United away travel organiser, Gina, in the past few seasons and met up for a chat before the match. Wishing them the best of luck for the rest of the season, I mentioned; ‘we might not see you next season with how well you are doing!’. She wasn’t as convinced and was also sure that Rovers would beat them.
Just outside the stadium, was ‘The Pie Guyz!’, which was spotted by Sally as soon as she got off the coach! I said that will be our next port of call after a drink.
It was a great choice, as the homemade chicken and mushroom pie was superb, with what I called ‘proper pieces of chicken’ and chunks of mushroom with gravy. No wonder I was told that I had the last one! At £5 it was well worth it. The option was there to have mash and liquor for £9.50p (the first I have seen since Leyton Orient away last season). But with having food for the journey back, I was being sensible!
On to the match and from the first whistle I could tell we were in for a tough afternoon, although for large parts of the match the scoreline was saying we very much still had a chance in the game.
It was a very flat performance and the first goal we conceded was poorly defended as the ball broke just inside the box, with the resulting shot put into the corner. However, just before half time we got a penalty when Joe Quigley had his feet taken from behind. He took the penalty, put into the right corner and we were right back in the match going in at half time.
Second half, much like the first, we didn’t test their keeper. Then Alfie Kilgour gave away a clear penalty, pulling down their player from a corner. They smashed the penalty high in the top corner for 2-1, which Eric next to me commented that no keeper could have stopped.
Cambridge then got a third goal when a cross was flicked home with a header. Although we didn’t deserve anything from the match, I felt as though the opportunity was there to take something. It just needed one fine move put together, when we had plenty of possession at times in the second half.
However, giving the ball away far too often. Quigley was my Man of the Match, certainly the target man to make something happen and often getting fouled with nothing given in his favour.
Attendance: 6,424 with a decent amount of 453 Rovers fans. The Cambridge United fans seeming to acknowledge this.
We left Cambridge at 5:15pm and stopped for 20 mins on the way back, this time going back via the outskirts of Birmingham, arriving back at The Mem for 8:55pm.
Now on to a big game away at Oldham Athletic, a quick turnaround, on Tuesday.
