AWAY THE GAS
BY DARREN STOBBS
It doesn’t seem that long ago when I was writing, after Fleetwood Town away, our first away game of the season.
Now, here we are with another season concluded.
Who would have thought the season would have worked out the way it has? Talk about it being a rollercoaster! Hovering around the play offs early on, then a relegation battle, then mid table security. Losing 10 on the bounce and then winning eight on the bounce. What was all the fuss about! Well, I think we would all agree that it was a bit of a panic before the New Year!
We left for Notts County at 8:50am with two Supporters Club coaches, Martin Hudd taking care of coach one and myself and Sally Rudman on coach two. We decided to take the route via Coventry and Leicester, as Cardiff were playing at Mansfield, so to avoid any problems! We stopped at Leicester Forest services for 45 minutes and arrived in Nottingham for 12:45pm.
A lot of information was given to us, as to which pubs were allocated to Bristol Rovers fans, those being around 15 minutes from the ground. We set off to find them, but halfway there an American style food/drink chain called ‘Hooters’ was upon us.
It was a busy establishment, with waitresses in revealing outfits who would likely be a calendar girl or a cheerleader, or maybe both! Without elaborating too much more, I think you get the idea – just Google it! Martin had to be on his best behaviour!, as his daughter (and her husband) joined us not long after arriving, having travelled up from the south coast.
No real ales were on offer, a keg beer was, but on a warm sunny day, a cider was a good option. Strongbow, which is not seen about too often back home, was my choice.
We made our way back to the ground, with some friendly Notts County fans on the way, asking us if we knew where the away end was.
On entering the ground, the food/drinks kiosk queue was surprisingly not too busy.
Pies were £5.50, and although I asked for meat and potato, I am convinced it was just steak. Plenty of meat, but it was a bit dry for my liking. Pies – not that subject again! By chance, the friend I met at Tranmere, taking the mick out of my pie eating, happened to have his seat next to mine. Before he said anything, I said this is one pie only! Also, to add, every time Notts County had a corner the big screens it said, ‘Come On You Pies!’, but their nickname is the Magpies!
The match was soon upon on. I was a little surprised that Tommy Leigh and Yusuf Akhamrich did not start. As the first half wore on, it became evident that we were losing our shape too easily and giving the ball away. The general agreement in the stand was that Promise Omechere was nowhere near up to match fitness, so like at Tranmere, may have benefited from being an impact sub.
Ryan De Havilland was getting overrun in midfield and although Shaq Forde was having a reasonably good half, an early booking seemed to result in the Notts County tactics of trying to get him to retaliate for another booking. Fortunately, this did not faze Shaq throughout the match and although a risk, he came through the game well.
Changes were needed, and I thought this may have happened during the first half, rather than waiting until half time and possibly being more than one goal down.
Notts County got that goal with a sidefooted shot from inside the box.
We should have been awarded a penalty with a clear pull back on Ellis Harrison on the touchline. The substitutes were made at half time with the introduction of Leigh and Akhamrich.
We were then by far the better team in the second half, missing two or three really good chances. We eventually got an equaliser when Leigh’s tremendous crossfield pass found Harrison, who chested down and found the far corner from a tight angle, under former Rovers goalkeeper James Belshaw’s legs.
Notts County had a goal ruled out late on, for offside. Kofi Balmer was my Man of the Match – Mr. Cool and closely followed by Joel Senior who was also excellent in defence and also going forwards.
ATTENDANCE: 16,264 with an excellent following of 1,793 Rovers fans.
That was only the fifth draw of the season, which wasn’t a club record, but only drawing one of those at home was a club record.
We left Meadow Lane at 5:25pm and went straight back to Bristol, arriving at The Mem for 8:15pm, seeing one Cardiff coach pass us with the expected aggro on board!
Martin and I, on behalf of the Supporters Club, would like to thank all our coach travelling supporters for their support during this challenging season. Also thanking our helpers aboard our coach – your contributions never go unnoticed. We wish you all a great summer and look forward to welcoming you back in August, for what we hope to be a successful season under Steve Evans and Paul Raynor – the signs of that of which certainly look promising.
Finally, a big thanks from myself, for those of you that sponsored me for the walk I completed. This was from my house in Oldland Common to The Mem and back again after the Cheltenham Town match, in memory of Jayden Watts. A total of 15.6 miles. The Gasheads never fail in times like this and your generosity helped me raise a total of £552, of which I will be sending over to Jayden’s family.
