retired_manpk1

15. Victoria Park, Dingwall (Attendance: 4373)
28 August 2004 – Scottish First Division: Ross County vs Falkirk

Ross County, based in Dingwall, is almost the furthest north that I will have to travel (Elgin beats it though). So I decided the split the trip over two days, getting into Scotland on Friday afternoon, and completing the journey early on Saturday morning.

I was quite impressed by the size of the crowd; I guess I had thought that far fewer fans would make it to the second tier of Scottish football.

Falkirk showed their class throughout the game; especially former Rangers and Trinidad & Tobago midfielder Russell Lapaty. It was he who gave the visitors the lead with his first strike of the season after 12 minutes, but for all of their dominance, they could not get further ahead. Ross slowly got back into an exciting game, and with half an hour gone equalised through Don Cowie.

There was more good attacking stuff in the second half, and Paul Tosh restored the lead for Falkirk on 57. This time, the lead lasted only three minutes as David Winters got in to equalise for a second time.

Both sides had their chances to win over the last thirty minutes, but it the end one other goal was enough to decide it; Darryl Duffy’s first goal of the season winning it for Falkirk ten minutes from time.

Games watched: 15
Total mileage: 5283
Total number of goals witnessed: 42 [+19] (2.80 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.47 per game)

retired_manpk1

16. Rugby Park, Kilmarnock (Attendance: 10969)
29 August 2004 – Scottish Premier League: Kilmarnock vs Dunfermline

Dunfermline’s UEFA Cup run continued in Macedonia last Thursday, and despite losing their second leg, they still went through to the First Round. But having played on Thursday, the SFA were kind enough to delay this match to Sunday to allow the side to get back and rest a little.

Killie sensed that Dunfermline were a little tired following their exploits on Thursday night, but they didn’t take into account the visitors’ ability to break quickly, and with six minutes gone they were caught by Craig Brewster. Killie though didn’t lose heart and set about pummelling the Dunfermline goal. The difference between the two sides though was that whilst Dunfermline got their few efforts in on target, Killie had enough chances, but few tested Derek Stillie. The pressure though finally told just before half time; Allan Johnston equalising with his first goal for his new club.

Dunfermline’s resolve was clearly broken by the late goal, and six minutes into the second half a nice free kick move ended with Kris Boyd netting to put Kilmarnock into the lead. Bar a few attempted breaks from Dunfermline, Kilmarnock were dominant throughout the second half, and substitute James Fowler wrapped things up after being put through excellently by Johnston.

Games watched: 16
Total mileage: 5485
Total number of goals witnessed: 46 [+19] (2.88 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.44 per game)

retired_manpk1

17. Bloomfield Road, Blackpool (Attendance: 6110)
30 August 2004 – English League One: Blackpool vs Brentford

A trip to Blackpool pleasure beach was cut short by the need to get to Bloomfield Road to watch this match; Blackpool hadn’t had the best of starts to the season, whilst West Londoners Brentford were the early pacesetters at the top of League One.

It took about ten minutes for the game to settle down, after which a neat free kick move ended with Jay Tabb firing Brentford ahead with a wonderful strike. The Bees should have doubled their lead on a few occasions after that, but they couldn’t and the Tangerines started to get back into the game.

It wasn’t a particularly pretty game, but Blackpool started to make a fist of getting back into the game in the second half as there was still only one goal in it. Eventually it took a number of bodies in the box and a lucky bounce for Danny Coid to equalise and knock Brentford off top spot.

Games watched: 17
Total mileage: 5675
Total number of goals witnessed: 48 [+19] (2.82 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.41 per game)

retired_manpk1

18. Hampden Park, Glasgow (Attendance: 2254)
31 August 2004 – Scottish League Challenge Cup, Second Round: Queen’s Park vs Partick

It’s amazing to think that Hampden Park, where finals and Scotland matches are played, is actually the home to a club in the Third Division. I had carte blanche to move right around the stadium with impunity, and I had something like 20 or 30 seats to myself (if I had wanted them).

Another interesting point to note about this cup-tie is that both clubs are based in Glasgow; not that you would have any idea based on the club’s name. It would be interesting to see how the Old Firm’s inferior clubs would fare.

Partick started brightly without showing much up front, and soon the home side started to believe that they might be able to cause problems. The game was exciting, but there weren’t shots firing in at every opportunity; rather it was a real midfield battle. Queen’s Park though did though look more threatening, and with a little more than half an hour played, David Menelaws went round the goalkeeper and passed the ball into the net.

Partick were much improved in the second half, but for all their build-up play, they rarely threatened the goal – a combination of poor finishing and good defending seeing to that. Queen’s Park luck though didn’t quite hold out until full time, as Willie Howie finally found a way through to equalise nine minutes from time to take the game into extra time.

Partick’s extra quality and fitness finally began to show through in the extra 30 minutes, but it was a mistake from the home side that gave them victory. Eight minutes into the first period of extra time a penalty was conceded, and Derek Fleming put away the spot kick to send Partick through to the third round.

Games watched: 18
Total mileage: 5871
Total number of goals witnessed: 51 [+19] (2.83 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.39 per game)

retired_manpk1

Summary – August 2004

Days: 32 (including 31 July)

Grounds visited: 18
2 at English Premiership
1 at English Championship
3 at English League One
1 at English League Two
1 at English Conference National
1 at English Conference North
1 at English Conference South
5 at Scottish Premier League
1 at Scottish First Division
2 at Scottish Third Division

Attendances at matches watched:
English Premiership: 50396 (25198 per game)
English Championship: 18107 (18107 per game)
English League One: 32564 (10855 per game)
English League Two: 4561 (4561 per game)
English Conference National: 715 (715 per game)
English Conference North: 714 (714 per game)
English Conference South: 756 (756 per game)
Scottish Premier League: 86474 (17295 per game)
Scottish First Division: 4373 (4373 per game)
Scottish Third Division: 2570 (1285 per game)

retired_manpk1

19. Old Trafford, Manchester (Attendance: 67824)
1 September 2004 – English Premiership: Manchester United vs Liverpool

Ah, the Theatre of Dreams. And those of prawn cocktails as well by all accounts. It may be early in the season, but already both United and Liverpool are struggling at the wrong end of the division, having both made poor starts to the season.

This is normally one of the most fiercely contested matches of the season – even if it’s not a true derby – and I fully expected this match to be no different. But Liverpool came out with a defensive formation, hoping to catch The Red Devils on the break, and that’s never a good ploy at Old Trafford.

It wasn’t pretty early on, and both sides had players booked in the early exchanges as the referee tried to get a grip on the match. Soon though we were back to a game of football, and midway through the first half Ryan Giggs finally broke through for his first goal of the season.

Liverpool were now forced to attack, and they did it well. But, with only Cissé up front, they struggled to find any real cutting edge; although Tim Howard was tested. They got even better in the second half without reward, and were then dealt a sucker-punch; Ruud van Nistelrooy picking the ball up on the break, and neatly lobbing Jerzy Dudek to double the lead.

The Reds did try hard to get a goal back, but United held firm, and climbed up to ninth in the league going into the international break.

Games watched: 19
Total mileage: 6262
Total number of goals witnessed: 53 [+19] (2.79 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.37 per game)

retired_confal2

Original and very well-written :thup:

I like the way that each game provides the reader with an additional piece of the puzzle, with respect to what's going on in the domestic leagues, and even European competitions.

Vintage binny :cool:

retired_manpk1

Thanks OMDave. Glad you're enjoying it :cool:


20. Borough Briggs, Elgin (Attendance: 1242)
7 September 2004 – Scottish League Cup, First Round: Elgin vs Brechin

With World Cup qualifying campaigns making a start, domestic football is a bit rare, so it was useful for me to get in a very long trip, with a few days to recover before my next game.

The 550+ mile trip was tiring, but a cup-tie was enough to wake me up. With Brechin being in a division above their hosts, I hoped for a good game as Elgin looked for a scalp.

And that’s the attitude that Elgin took for the most part of the game. They went out with three strikers and caused problems to Brechin all evening. But as can often happen in such matches, failure to score can be very costly, and with twenty-five minutes gone Paul Ritchie put Brechin ahead after a swift counter-attack. Elgin didn’t give up home though, and after incessant pressure, Alex Bone found an equaliser in first half injury time.

Four minutes after the restart though Ritchie restored Brechin’s lead after a neat turn. Elgin had it all to do once again, and they came close on numerous occasions. But as the saying goes, they were “close, but no cigar.” It got ever more desperate as the clock ticked down, but in the end Elgin had to accept defeat as Brechin moved through to the second round.

Games watched: 20
Total mileage: 7366
Total number of goals witnessed: 56 [+19] (2.80 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.35 per game)

retired_manpk1

DewiO - I did consider it; but decided against it in the end. Anyway, I've got four grounds to visit in Wales anyway (including Newport County), and I might try to get to the Millennium Stadium as well :cool:


21. Park Lane, Canvey Island (Attendance: 554)
11 September 2004 – English Conference National: Canvey Island vs Stevenage

Canvey Island are enjoying their first season in the Conference National having earned promotion last season. It’s a nice small stadium that they have, but I was still a little surprised at the small size of the crowd, especially as it’s not that far from Stevenage.

Canvey started the game well, and showed some good signs of causing problems for the Stevenage back line. The visitors also looked capable of finding the net, but it was Canvey who went into the break ahead; Ben Sedgemore’s strike on 28 doing the business.

The second half wasn’t quite as exciting as the first, and it was only a terrible goalkeeping error that allowed Michael Warner to equalise before the hour was up. Stevenage then played their wild-card by bringing on Tunisian-born striker Dino Maamria, and he squeezed in the winner sixteen minutes from time.

Games watched: 21
Total mileage: 7414
Total number of goals witnessed: 59 [+19] (2.81 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.33 per game)

retired_manpk1

22. St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton (Attendance: 31817)
12 September 2004 – English Premiership: Southampton vs Manchester City

St. Mary’s is a very impressive stadium, but I was surprised to hear the PA announcer telling me that the attendance exceeded 30,000. It just didn’t seem to have the capacity.

Southampton included Paul Telfer in their side for his 100th league appearance for the club, but it was City who made the brighter start. Anelka hit the post, and at the other end, Beattie had a few headers that came close.

But neither David James nor Antti Niemi were unduly tested, although the Saints’ keeper was slightly the busier. In the end, it required a moment of magic from Anelka to get the opening goal; how he picked out Antoine Sibierski was amazing, and the balding Frenchman fired into the back of the net. Southampton still tried hard to get back into the game without really threatening, and twenty minutes from time Jon Macken doubled the lead on the break to move City back above their city rivals and up into 4th.

Games watched: 22
Total mileage: 7623
Total number of goals witnessed: 61 [+19] (2.77 per game)
Sending offs witnessed: 7 (0.32 per game)