Re: League Two
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:46 pm
Bristol Rovers 0 Crawley Town 0
What a difference a week makes! Crawley slip to third in league two after this somewhat uninspiring draw against a Rovers side that did a job holding us. The cut-up pitch didn't help us either. Enough excuses - we played poorly.
We set off from The Half Moon at 8AM for the trip and drove straight to the Majors Retreat at Tormarton for our customary few pints and buffet. Another old pub, situated in the beautiful South Gloucestershire Cotswolds. Good selection of local real ales and menu and the 'Major' and his staff were very welcoming. I can recommend this pub if you ever find yourself in the area. Unfortunately, I left the phone on the coach so we relied on the camera which we found later had a smudge on the lens... so sorry for that!
http://www.majorsretreat.co.uk/ gives more info (and better pictures). We plan to stop there again on our return from Plymouth next Sunday... more about that later.
After our leisurely beer and buffet, on to The Memorial Ground, home of Bristol Rovers. A rambling collection of stands as the stadium has obviously grown bit by bit over the years. Most of us away supporters opted for the Terraces located near to the corner with a good view - though open to the elements. This didn't matter as the weather was fine and dry, but chilly. There is seated, covered, accommodation available behind the goal though for those wet days. This is a dual use ground as Rovers share the place with Bristol Rugby Club. This might explain why the pitch was a bit lumpy and bumpy!
Rovers are known as The Gas and their fans Gasheads! This came about apparently as a term of abuse from arch-enemies Bristol City when Rovers played at their old ground, Eastville where they played for 89 years until 1986. There was a large gasworks next to the stadium and gas wafted over the pitch. The name stuck so maybe, after-all, the joke is on City They are officially known as The Pirates from Bristol's long maritime history but this name is rarely used.
The game wasn't a classic but more of a hoofing contest from both teams. Long balls with next to nothing on the ground probably due to the pitch. Crawley, unchanged from their victory over Bristol City last week, had most of the possession for the match but were unable to convert any of their few chances. Shearer had to make one or two saves but was not really tested while their keeper, Poke, freshly signed on loan from Brighton had a bit more to do but kept a clean sheet. Tubbs and Barnett for us were both uncharacteristically quiet and our best chance came from Scott Neilson on as a second half substitute for Sergio Torres who also seemed not his usual self and apart from colliding with the referee did little in the first half. Kyle McFadzean had to go off injured with a head injury after a clash with one of their players and was replaced by Hope Akpan. FT0-0 Ho-hum
The Gas were the first team to keep a clean sheet against The Reds since our loss at home against Swindon back in mid-September but we weren't beaten and came away with a point which keeps Crawley firmly in the top three. Gaps are beginning to develop in the table now and below us there is a buffer of five points to Swindon in fourth place. We have to preserve that gap and the only way to do that is by winning games. This brings added importance to our next match away at Plymouth next week where I think we will bounce back.
5082 including 253 travelling Reds watched the match. Not a bad turn-out from both sides.
Plymouth will be my first overnighter and I'm really looking forward to the weekend away. Carol can't make it but I will try my best to enjoy myself without her After the match a big group of us are going for drinks (lots) and a curry
After Plymouth, we are away in the FA Cup to Hull on the 28th, then away again on the 4th February when we travel to Bradford. The next match at Broadfield is scheduled for Tuesday 7th February when we face promotion rivals Cheltenham. The gap in fixtures will allow the club to concentrate on adding the new East Stand. Work has started after planning permission was granted recently http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/Lates ... 72,00.html
COME ON YOU REDS!
What a difference a week makes! Crawley slip to third in league two after this somewhat uninspiring draw against a Rovers side that did a job holding us. The cut-up pitch didn't help us either. Enough excuses - we played poorly.
We set off from The Half Moon at 8AM for the trip and drove straight to the Majors Retreat at Tormarton for our customary few pints and buffet. Another old pub, situated in the beautiful South Gloucestershire Cotswolds. Good selection of local real ales and menu and the 'Major' and his staff were very welcoming. I can recommend this pub if you ever find yourself in the area. Unfortunately, I left the phone on the coach so we relied on the camera which we found later had a smudge on the lens... so sorry for that!
http://www.majorsretreat.co.uk/ gives more info (and better pictures). We plan to stop there again on our return from Plymouth next Sunday... more about that later.
After our leisurely beer and buffet, on to The Memorial Ground, home of Bristol Rovers. A rambling collection of stands as the stadium has obviously grown bit by bit over the years. Most of us away supporters opted for the Terraces located near to the corner with a good view - though open to the elements. This didn't matter as the weather was fine and dry, but chilly. There is seated, covered, accommodation available behind the goal though for those wet days. This is a dual use ground as Rovers share the place with Bristol Rugby Club. This might explain why the pitch was a bit lumpy and bumpy!
Rovers are known as The Gas and their fans Gasheads! This came about apparently as a term of abuse from arch-enemies Bristol City when Rovers played at their old ground, Eastville where they played for 89 years until 1986. There was a large gasworks next to the stadium and gas wafted over the pitch. The name stuck so maybe, after-all, the joke is on City They are officially known as The Pirates from Bristol's long maritime history but this name is rarely used.
The game wasn't a classic but more of a hoofing contest from both teams. Long balls with next to nothing on the ground probably due to the pitch. Crawley, unchanged from their victory over Bristol City last week, had most of the possession for the match but were unable to convert any of their few chances. Shearer had to make one or two saves but was not really tested while their keeper, Poke, freshly signed on loan from Brighton had a bit more to do but kept a clean sheet. Tubbs and Barnett for us were both uncharacteristically quiet and our best chance came from Scott Neilson on as a second half substitute for Sergio Torres who also seemed not his usual self and apart from colliding with the referee did little in the first half. Kyle McFadzean had to go off injured with a head injury after a clash with one of their players and was replaced by Hope Akpan. FT0-0 Ho-hum
The Gas were the first team to keep a clean sheet against The Reds since our loss at home against Swindon back in mid-September but we weren't beaten and came away with a point which keeps Crawley firmly in the top three. Gaps are beginning to develop in the table now and below us there is a buffer of five points to Swindon in fourth place. We have to preserve that gap and the only way to do that is by winning games. This brings added importance to our next match away at Plymouth next week where I think we will bounce back.
5082 including 253 travelling Reds watched the match. Not a bad turn-out from both sides.
Plymouth will be my first overnighter and I'm really looking forward to the weekend away. Carol can't make it but I will try my best to enjoy myself without her After the match a big group of us are going for drinks (lots) and a curry
After Plymouth, we are away in the FA Cup to Hull on the 28th, then away again on the 4th February when we travel to Bradford. The next match at Broadfield is scheduled for Tuesday 7th February when we face promotion rivals Cheltenham. The gap in fixtures will allow the club to concentrate on adding the new East Stand. Work has started after planning permission was granted recently http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/Lates ... 72,00.html
COME ON YOU REDS!