Heading into the game on the back of consecutive away defeats, Swansea City were hoping to return to winning ways when they welcomed Chelsea to The Liberty on Tuesday night.  Condemned to just a solitary defeat at home so far this season, Swansea should have had optimum confidence going into the fixture against Villas-Boas side.

Having made 10 changes for the weekends FA Cup tie at Bolton, Brendan Rodgers restored the side that started Swansea’s last league game at The Stadium of Light.

The visitors, without John Terry due to a knee injury, lined up with a centre back partnership of Luiz and Ivanovic. A highly perplexing decision given Chelsea’s recent signing of Gary Cahill, who had to settle for a place on the bench despite Villas-Boas stating that the Londoners would be a far greater force to be reckoned with, due to the recruitment of the English defender.

Despite conceding an injury time equaliser, Swansea City demonstrated their maturity on Tuesday as well as how much they have settled into the top flight since the sides last met in the reverse fixture four months ago.

The visitors got the game under way but as so often seen this season it was the Swans who settled the quicker, closing Chelsea down, dictating the pace and tempo of the game early on, they almost found themselves ahead within the opening 10 minutes. When Sigurdsson’s perfectly weighted free kick into the area fell for Danny Graham, however Ivanovic intercepted before Swansea’s leading goalscorer could get a touch.

Having seen very little of the ball in the opening exchanges, Chelsea came close to taking the lead when Sturridge found himself with time on the ball inside the area, his eventual shot fired marginally wide of the target.

With 15 minutes played, Swansea had a distinguished opportunity to take the lead. As Danny Graham fought to get on the end of a long ball forward, Petr Cech came out of his area committing himself to clearing, however his interception fell to Sigurdsson, who skipped past Cech only to see his effort blocked by Ivanovic. The ball then fell for Graham who’s shot was denied by David Luiz’ goal line clearance, Joe Allen met the clearance however Petr Cech recovered to finally clear the danger.

Sturridge and Bosingwa were proving a handful for Neil Taylor out wide and with the Welsh defender getting sucked infield on a number of occasions, the two Chelsea players found a lot of success down the right wing.

Swansea had commanded the majority of play in the first half and finally capitalised on their dominance 5 minutes from the interval when Scott Sinclair met Sigurdsson’s delivery into the box. The former Chelsea winger connected beautifully to guide his effort past Cech into the top corner.

With the Swans in total control at the interval, the only change made at half time was that of Nathan Dyer’s boots!

Chelsea came out of the blocks a completely different outfit after the interval, enforcing themselves on the game, pinning Swansea into their own half as Brendan Rodgers side began to sit deep and tried to absorb the relentless pressure being applied.

As was the case at The Stadium of Light, Angel Rangel failed to complete his defensive duties adequately on Tuesday night, allowing Chelsea to command play down the left flank, whilst Nathan Dyer was forced to sacrifice his threat pushing forward in order to provide cover for the Swansea right-back.

Villas-Boas soon opted for change, introducing one of the Premier League’s greatest players prior to the injury he sustained during pre-season – Michael Essien. The introduction of the Ghanaian international almost paid dividends instantly as the midfielder demonstrated his class with his first touch with a rifling effort that fired marginally over the cross bar.

The Swans were inviting Chelsea pressure, sitting back and not pushing out of their own half. They uncharacteristically conceded possession far too easily in the middle of the park, whilst they failed to substantially test Cech in the Chelsea goal.

Despite Danny Graham not receiving ample supply in the box, the striker’s phenomenally tireless work rate was once more, simply astounding. Constantly looking hungry and eager to pounce on Chelsea defenders to regain possession.

With the Blues staring at defeat, further misery and frustration was compiled on their evening when they were reduced to 10 men following a cynical challenge from Ashley Cole on Nathan Dyer, leaving referee Marriner no option other than to produce a second yellow for the English full back.

Chelsea had controlled play in the second period and snatched a point in the most disastrous of circumstances for the home side when Bosingwa’s effort took a decisive deflection off Neil Taylor to deceive Vorm and rescue a point for Villas-Boas side.

Based on their second half display, I feel Chelsea were worthy of a point, having applied an onslaught of pressure, allowing the Swans very little time in possession. However Swansea will feel aggrieved due to the timing and manner in which they conceded, with it taking a deflected strike to deny the Welsh side of their 6th home victory of the campaign.

Both of Swansea’s full backs got caught of position on numerous occasions on Tuesday, however, skipper Ashley Williams remained as colossal as ever to limit Chelsea’s threat. The Swansea captain made numerous vital interceptions, he read the game superbly and made many critical, perfectly timed challenges in order to keep Chelsea’s attack force at bay.

The performance of the match officials at The Liberty on Tuesday further reiterated the current standard and demonstrated as to why there has been so much intense speculation regarding their displays over recent months with their inconsistency prevalent once more.

The ill disciplined Chelsea side should have considered themselves fortunate to finish the game with 10 men on the pitch, as reckless challenges from Florent Malouda and David Luiz went unpunished.

Just when we thought that we may be turning a corner and hoped that we would start to get ourselves out of the mess that we found ourselves in just before Christmas, the last few games have shown that that it is going to be a long, fraught and testing time until the end of the season. Since the draw at Southend United on January 2nd, we’ve lost league games to Hereford, Crewe, and then on Tuesday night, down at Torquay. Although the overall display at Torquay had not been too bad, even that didn’t bring much comfort to those of us who had made the long trip to the south west, and it was even less helpful when we got back to Victoria Road at 3 in the morning.

There has been some debate in the last few weeks as to whether our troubles started on the very day that we beat today’s opponents in the League Two play off final, which although it now seems like a lifetime ago, was in fact only May 2010. Although we had a year in the heady heights of League One, it alerted other clubs to the ability of our players. We could see that people like Danny Green, Romain Vincelot and Paul Benson could play at a higher level, so while it was great that they hung around at the club so long, it was that day at Wembley that probably meant that the vultures would come circling, which is what they duly did. No one begrudges the opportunity for these players to move on, as it is a scenario that we readily accept when supporting a club like this. However, there are two possibilities; firstly, a win means that players are more noticeable if we are playing in a higher division, and that means that, as a smaller fish in a bigger pond, that we could find ourselves losing key personnel. The second option is that, if we had failed to win that day, perhaps they would still have gone, and then we would have been having the type of season that we are presently having, twelve months ago.

What it all boils down to is a simple question. Would we swap that glorious day out at Wembley and a year in League One, for the stability and playing in League Two, plodding along in mid-table for five years? I reckon most would opt for the day at Wembley, and to hell with what happens next. You can talk about that day out for years; a midweek game at wherever is unlikely to still be recalled twenty years down the line, whereas when Nursey scored the winner at Wembley, everyone who was there will knowingly smile and go all misty eyed at the memory.

Our record against Rotherham is, to be brutally honest, terrible. In seven previous league meetings, we’ve managed two draws, and five defeats. We have played against Rotherham at four different venues in the league and play offs, and that win at Wembley is our only victory. Our visitors arrive in a mid-table position, but they are just five points off of a play off place, which would give them a chance to return to Wembley. On the flip side, we need the points for our attempt to stay in the division. While we have suffered three straight league defeats, Rotherham have lost three out of their last four, so this could be a close run thing between two sides that have not got great recent form.

Saturday 28th January 2012, Dagenham & Redbridge v Rotherham United, Victoria Road
With the game between Liverpool and Manchester United on every screen you could find in the clubhouse, only those who had an affiliation to either of those clubs stayed inside as we filed into the ground around 2pm. The chance to be first in the queue for food is a big pulling point to get inside relatively early, and besides, with everyone staring intently into their phones, we would find out who won soon enough.

The cold snap that had been predicted hadn’t quite made it as far as Dagenham, although by half time, the atmosphere was decidedly chilly enough without it. There had been one change from the team that had started at Torquay on Tuesday, with Brian Woodall returning in place of Adam Cunnington, who went back to bench warming duties. Dropping out completely were Eion Wearen and Jake Reed, which also meant a return for Josh Scott. However, the first half had been poor. Very poor in fact, with a couple of Billy Bingham efforts going wide of the visiting goalkeepers left post being our nearest attempts at goal. At the other end though, it had not gone so well for us.

Within ten minutes of the start, Mark Arber had been caught out, and appeared to try and haul down Lewis Grabban as he went through on goal. Luckily for us, he escaped his clutches and got his shot away, which was saved by Lewington at the expense of a corner.

By the time the half hour had come around, we are already 1 down. The Daggers defence has failed to deal convincingly with a ball into the area, and it falls to Danny Harrison, who returns it with a dipping volley over Lewington. It is an excellent strike, but there is already a resigned air about the home support, which manifests itself in a rush to start forming a queue at the tea bar, hoping to beat the half time stampede. As the half time whistle goes, I make one more note on my piece of paper, but am asked how many I have made for the game so far, and it’s not many.

If the first half had been poor, then the second made you wonder if they had replaced all twenty two players, as the game turned totally on its head.

The first Daggers change is made at the resumption of the game, as Josh Scott (soon to be achieving prodigal son status) is bought on in place of loanee Ahmed Abdulla. Opinion is split over Abdulla, with many seeing him as lightweight in the centre of midfield, while others just don’t rate him at all. Personally, there are glimpses of why he is at West Ham, but it is arguable that this isn’t quite the style of team for him to be playing in. The introduction of Scott means an alteration in formation as well, with now three players up front in a 4-3-3 formation. Clearly, despite the evidence of the first half, our management feel that they can get something from the game.

It takes just five minutes for that feeling to be justified. A free kick from Mickey Spillane is heading towards the back post, where it seems that all have stopped to watch the ball float harmlessly out of play. All except Jon Nurse that is; the hero of Wembley arrives at the back post to head the ball into the far corner of the net. It takes a second to register that we have scored, before everyone starts to celebrate. All the gloom and doom that had been around at the half time interval has disappeared, and the singing has started again.

For the next few minutes it is the home team in the ascendancy, with Scott going close with a header, and it is just after the hour that we take the lead. As the attendance is announced as 1744, Abu Ogogo (who scored an o.g. at Crewe last week on his 100th appearance for the club) lines up a shot from outside the box. Ogogo had started the game at right back, but he has now switched to central midfield, and Spillane has gone into the defence, allowing our former Arsenal right back the chance to get forward more; the shot is deflected by Mark Bradley, and with Rhys Taylor in the Rotherham goal already starting to move to save the ball on its original trajectory, can do nothing about this sudden alteration, and is stranded as the ball nestles in the netting. Again there is a delay before the celebrations begin, but begin they do, and we are now leading a game that we looked out of just twenty minutes earlier.

At Wembley, we took the lead, only to lose it within a minute. When we went 2-1 up, it took Rotherham five minutes to level it up again. Today, it takes them about ninety seconds to score their second goal. A cross from the left wing by former Dagger Scott Griffiths is headed home by Alex Revell, unmarked in the middle as he takes his chance, the mood has unsurprisingly changed all over again, and now we are hoping that we can just hold on for a point.

But, like that day at Wembley, we get back in front again, and stay there. With thirteen minutes left on the clock, a right wing corner is played into the near post, and Scott Doe is there is score with a header.

To say the rest of the game is nervy would be an understatement of massive proportions. Firstly, there are a couple of near misses from Rotherham that have us all convinced that they were actually going in and just about to blow it all again. Then, there is a flurry of activity from the referee’s notebook. Michael Raynes has already been booked for a foul on Josh Scott, when with a couple of minutes to go, he and Spillane have an altercation in the penalty area, as we prepare to defend a free kick. Personally, I have no idea what has happened, but the ref has obviously seen something, as he cautions both players again, meaning that Raynes has to go. Several United players surround the official, but the home fans are just singing cheerio to the departing visitor. The free kick is defended and repelled, although as the fourth official holds aloft the board showing four minutes of stoppage time, there is more that a bit of surprise, as none of us can recall a physio being called into action, just four goals and the regular substitutions.

The four minutes elapse and another Rotherham foray into our area has just been successfully defended when the whistle goes. The relief is tangible, and it is to the team’s credit that, having been one down at the interval, we have been able to come back and win against a decent side. There is time for an appreciative round of applause for Scott Griffiths before the team commence their warm down lap of the pitch, with the fans singing ringing in their ears. A good day has been made better with the news that we have moved back up to 22nd in the table, just one place outside the relegation places. However, it doesn’t get any easier; next weekend, we have a long trip northwards to Morecambe, when we get to visit their new stadium for the first time. Before that though, we should enjoy this victory, as they haven’t come along that often this season.

The 25-year old is reunited with his former City manager Hughes, who has admitted his delighted at having secured the in-demand former England Under-21 man. Those following the Live In-play betting will be wondering what sort of impact he will have.

“Nedum is a player I know well. He is a very good addition to the squad,” he said.

“He did very well for me at Man City and played a number of games, probably more than under any other manager,” Hughes added.

“He is very versatile. He can play centre-back or right-back and has good pace.”

Onuoha was never really given the chance under Roberto Mancini that his previous performances had perhaps deserved, eventually leading to the Nigerian-born defender joining Sunderland on loan last season. Onuoha went on to establish himself as an essential part of the Sunderland defence under Steve Bruce, and would have signed permanently at the Stadium of Light had a fee been agreed between the two clubs. Fans of the betting exchanges such as Betfair sports betting odds need to bear this in mind.

There was no shortage of interest in the defender, however, it appears Onuoha’s eagerness to link back up with Hughes was the deciding factor in his decision.

Hughes will have been well aware that of how important it is for QPR to start keeping regular clean-sheets if they are to have any chance of maintaining their top-flight status. The current team may be lacking in some areas but it’s a tight defence that forms the platform on which this team can build. Onuoha’s presence in the side will certainly improve the club’s chances of achieving that target.

If a week is reckoned to be a long time in politics, then two and a half weeks supporting a football team can be almost a lifetime. Seventeen days ago, we gained a very creditable 0-0 draw with Millwall in the FA Cup, which stretched our unbeaten run to seven games. Hopes were high then for our home game against Hereford. However, that turned out to be a total non-event, and resulted in a 0-1 defeat.

The replay at Millwall ended in a one-sided scoreline, with us suffering a 0-5 defeat, before another “six-pointer” at Crewe on the weekend.

As Dagenham Dan and I made our way out towards Espanyol v Granada on Saturday, the text messages that came through initially bought us good news as Brian Woodall put us in front. The subsequent messages weren’t so happy making though, as first Crewe equalised, and then in the last twenty minutes, they scored three further goals to win the game by the comfortable margin of 4-1. The second was the turning point, with an Ogogo back pass taking a bobble and eluding the swinging foot of goalkeeper Chris Lewington.

Most of us have seen our teams go through a dodgy patch having seemingly turned the corner, but the last week and a half has not been the best, and it has just felt like the good work put in over the Christmas games has all been undone again.

Injuries have played their part again. Kevin Maher, injured in his first training session with the club, had started to get the midfield going again, but following his injury at Southend just after New Year, we’ve gone backwards again. It’s not just down to the loss of Maher, but having to constantly change the team isn’t good, as the points had been coming when the team had been settled and barely altered.

Tonight sees the team make their third away trip in a week, this time down to the West Country to play Torquay. Two years ago, the original game had to be called off due to a frozen pitch, and those that did make the long journey for the re-arranged fixture were treated to a tepid encounter that ended 0-0. Tonight’s game was rescheduled after we reached the third round of the FA Cup, and although the coach is only about half full, those who are making the trip seem to be enjoying it.

Tuesday 24th January 2012, Torquay United v Dagenham & Redbridge, Plainmoor
The journey down to the south west necessitates a leaving time from the club of 12.45pm, and will end about six hours later. With only twenty nine of us on the coach, the hopes of a decent turn out from the Daggers faithful might not happen. It may actually reflect the hopes of getting a result from this one; we are starting the game in 23rd place, while Torquay are 6th, and coming into this game off the back of an impressive 2-1 win at Morecambe.

There is a bit of confusion on the way down to the game, as there are no seats available for those of our fans who prefer to sit at these games. However, as we approach the ground, the problem is resolved, although those that are going to be sitting down are going to be seated in the home section, will not be allowed to wear colours, and will be at the other end of the ground to those Daggers that will be occupying the away terrace.

Prior to the game, we were given a stat that we tried hard to disprove. It was that we are approaching two years without a goal-less draw in the league. Having checked back, the last one was on March 6th, 2010 up at Bury, which was a mere 78 games ago. A 0-0 would go down quite nicely tonight, but most are not expecting it.

It takes ten minutes for the first chance to arrive, but Montano pulls his shot wide. It’s been a cagey start to the match, but the pre-match pessimism has been replaced by quiet optimism. There are a few extra people that have travelled independently, boosting the attendance on the away terrace to (officially) thirty nine. Within a minute of Montano’s effort, Jon Nurse has a shot saved by the home goalkeeper, Bobby Olejnik. We have forced four corners in the first quarter of an hour, but following the pattern of the season, have done little with them. Spillane’s free kick on the half hour is on target, but is comfortably saved by Olejnik, and at this point, we are doing much better than anticipated.

It takes Torquay just over half an hour to create their first chance, but it’s a close call, as Kevin Nicholson shoots just over from about twelve yards, just to the left of the goal. It serves as a warning that although we have done quite well so far, the home side are in no way out of this game.

The home side will go even closer a couple of minutes later. Danny Stevens shoots into the side netting, which is closer than the Nicholson effort, and fools some of the home fans in the popular side into thinking that they have taken the lead.

Five minutes before half time, and the fans are not fooled this time, as the ball does actually go into the net. A foul on the left hand side of the penalty area (by Ilesanmi on O’Kane) results in a free kick to Torquay, which is quickly taken, and the Daggers defence is not alert to this possibility. The ball eventually ends up at the feet of Lee Mansell, and his shot is lashed past Lewington to give the home team the lead. It’s hard to take, as we have more than matched Torquay up until this point.

The last five minutes consist of Torquay gaining the upper hand in the game, and there is an almighty goal mouth scramble in which they almost make it 2-0, but luckily for us, the ball is hacked away. The priority is clearly to hang on until half time, and get through to it with just the one goal deficit. Any more, and this will be very difficult to come back from. Thankfully the team manage to get through to the interval with no further addition to the scoreline, and it is 1-0 to Torquay at the break.

The peace of half time is shattered by a shrill voice over the public address system, announcing the 50/50 winner, as well as the number of a lucky ticket whose owner will have a chance to win £25 in the crossbar challenge. The first effort would be more trouble to a mole who has just stuck it’s head out of the ground (and this is described as “close”) than the cross bar, although the second effort is close, but still doesn’t hit. It means that the prize rolls over to the next home game (to £50). While this is going on, the ground staff are working on the penalty area that the home team will be defending in the second half., but appear to leave well alone the other end where our keeper will be positioned.

The start of the second half is one way traffic, with the Daggers not managing to get the ball out of their half, and it is starting to look like the worst for us. But as we get to the ten minute mark in the half, we are starting to get back into the game again. The crowd is announced as 2280, with 39 away fans. The home terrace is busy, which could be attributed to the fact that Main Stand has been demolished. In its place is a large wall, behind which we can see the adjoining school. The amount of footballs lost over the wall is impressive, and tonight, we must be approaching two dozen clearing the obviously not high enough wall.

The closest we come to a goal arrives just after an hour has been played. A foul on Bingham by Mansell results in the Daggers gaining a free kick just outside the penalty area, and in perfect free kick territory. Two players emerge as favourites to take it, but the one entrusted with the effort is Spillane; his curling effort looks to be creeping just inside the post, but Olejnik flings himself across the goal to save the attempt and push the ball out for a corner. Spillane’s anguish is replicated by those on the terrace, as we all thought that it was going to creep in. It is an excellent save, and demonstrates perfectly how things can seemingly conspire against you if you are stuck at the wrong end of the table.

The game continues with its ebbs and flows, but the goal keepers aren’t really tested for the remainder of the game. Stevens shoots straight at Lewington with less than ten minutes to go, but while Torquay can’t quite put the game out of reach, we can’t actually get that goal that would get us back into thie one either. With five minutes to go, the Daggers have a free kick near to the home goal, but it is Torquay who actually get the scoring chance from the situation although Stevens is denied again. Three minutes are added on, but there aren’t any further chances, and it ends in a 1-0 home win.

There are a couple of our number who reckon that we are now doomed, and that we might as well give it up now. Although it is looking tough for us at the moment, it can still end in a positive way for us. In our first season up, it was looking grim for us at this stage of the campaign, but we had a great run where we collected enough points that would eventually see us safe. Those that attended Crewe on Saturday assured me that this was a much better display than on Saturday, but we need to start finding the goal. If we can’t do that then we are finished.

Swansea City went into Saturday’s game at The Stadium Of Light undefeated in their previous 5 games, and on the back of 3 consecutive victories were looking to retain their 100% win record in 2012.

Brendan Rodgers made just one change to the side that started against Arsenal six days ago, as loan signing Gylfi Sigurdsson was handed his full Swansea debut, following a sensational second half performance last weekend.

The Swans should have no shame in the manner in which they lost the game on Saturday, with it taking a sublime strike either side of the interval to condemn the Welsh side to their eighth defeat of the campaign.

The home side got the game under way and were the quicker to settle into their rhythm putting Swansea’s defence under instant pressure making their intentions clear from the outset, Martin O’Neill’s side didn’t allow the Swans to dominate proceedings with their fluid passing movements early on.

Nicklas Bendtner and David Vaughn applied relentless pressure on Swansea’s back line, not allowing them any time to dictate the pace of the game or pass the ball out from defence as they often do to great effect.

Despite Sunderland’s early dominance, it was the visitors who should have found themselves in front, when Nathan Dyer supplied a dangerous ball across the face of goal which eventually fell for Scott Sinclair, however the winger could not keep his shot down as he failed to work the keeper with his effort.

The Swans were made to rue this missed opportunity moments later when Sessegnon fired home a superb strike following some neat interplay with James McClean inside the area.

The home side threatened again soon after, this time Welsh international David Vaughn had the shot, however blasted the ball high over the cross bar.

Having signed on loan for the Swans less than a month ago, Gylfi Sigurdsson has already made a name for himself in the Swansea City side and the Icelandic midfielder almost set up the equalising goal for the visitors, however his delivery into the box for Danny Graham didn’t quite fall for the striker who couldn’t direct the ball on target.

McClean was enjoying mass success down the left flank due to Angel Rangel’s poor positional play at full back, which saw the Catalan caught high up the field on numerous occasions.

Swansea soon began to get a foothold on the game, dispossessing Sunderland with ease and stringing some good passages of play together as Joe Allen and Sigurdsson began to command the midfield. However, despite Swansea’s dominance in possession, they were not sufficiently testing Sunderland keeper Mignolet who was not made to work until the hour mark when he did well to palm away Sigurdsson’s free kick.

There appeared to be very little penetration pushing forward from the Welsh side as they were lacking a cutting edge in the final third, as they passed the ball around well however were not advancing into the 18 yard box often enough.

Neither of our wide players enjoyed much success on Saturday, being muscled off the ball frequently with defenders doubling up on Sinclair each time he was looking to advance into dangerous areas of the pitch.

With little over 60 minutes played, Sigurdsson was replaced by fellow loan signing Josh McEachran. I feel the Swans missed Sigurdsson after his departure despite McEachran doing well with the few touches of the ball that he had.

Swansea controlled the game in the majority of departments, however Sunderland punished them for not capitalising on their opportunities and sealed victory 5 minutes from time when Gardner lofted a sensational strike over Vorm ensuring Sunderland’s resurgence under O’Neill continues.

With Swansea suffering their 7th defeat on the road, I feel changes may be needed away from home. Personally I would opt for a diamond formation, omitting our wide players for games away from The Liberty, as I believe we would still be able to offer width going forward due to our attack minded full backs.

Following two successive victories away from home, Swansea City were looking to continue the form that had seen them defeated just once in their last seven prior to Sunday’s fixture.

Given the calibre of Swansea’s performances thus far in the top flight, the majority of Swans fans were optimistic ahead of the game despite the Welsh side being written off by the majority of pundits.

With Swansea possessing mass strength in depth throughout their midfield, Brendan Rodgers had many options at his disposal for Sunday’s game, and opted to reinstate Joe Allen in place of Andrea Orlandi whilst Kemy Agustien and Leon Britton retained their places in the side.

As expected, Robin Van Persie returned to spearhead Arsenal’s attack, having been rested for their FA Cup fixture last weekend. The Dutch striker didn’t take long to exhibit why he has received many plaudits this season, breaking the deadlock within the opening 5 minutes. The centre forward latched onto a great through ball from Arshavin, pausing to unsettle centre back Caulker before slotting the ball past Vorm at his near post.

The Swans were not trailing for long ,as they were gifted the perfect opportunity to get back on level terms with 15 minutes played, as Welsh captain Aaron Ramsey was adjudged to have brought down Nathan Dyer inside the penalty area. The ref had no hesitations in pointing to the spot and Scott Sinclair calmly stepped up and converted. Retaining his perfect record from the penalty spot.

Following Swansea’s equaliser the visitors appeared to be rattled. For the Swans were controlling the game and doing to Arsenal what you so often see them do to sides. Having been criticised for not creating sufficient chances this season, the home side were relentlessly asking questions of the Londoners, causing countless troubles for their back line.

Despite the queries as to whether Swansea City are the new Arsenal, Brendan Rodgers’ side were playing with an air of resilience, desire and hunger that could not have been a carbon copy of their opponents.

Van Persie had a chance to restore Arsenal’s advantage on the half hour mark when Ashley Williams was caught out of position, however Steven Caulker came across to cover and block the Dutch man’s shot.

Arsenal’s only real threat was coming courtesy of Van Persie and Ramsey who both did well in advanced positions of the pitch throughout the game, causing expected problems for Swansea’s colossal defence.

Brendan Rodgers made his first change at the interval. With the game evenly poised, Sigurdsson was introduced, making his Premier League debut he impressed instantly. A set piece specialist, we posed a far superior threat from corners with Sigurdsson’s perfectly weighted deliveries. The Icelandic midfielder had a great work ethic, quick feet and linked well with Danny Graham.

The visitors were the quicker out of the blocks in the second half, with chances coming for both Arshavin and Walcott- both failing to find the target with their efforts.  Swansea deservedly took the lead through Nathan Dyer with 57 minutes played. The diminutive winger remained composed to fire home his 3rd goal in as many games. Swansea were working as a unit, tracking back and playing some breathtaking football with their rhapsodic rhythmic passing. Neil Taylor was allowing Theo Walcott acres of space to run out wide, playing to the wingers one real strength. The England international seized on this freedom in the 69th minute when he worked his way into the box before chipping the ball over Vorm in order to provide Arsenal with an equaliser, scoring his first goal since October.

The knock out blow came within a minute of the restart as Sigurdsson played through Danny Graham who was able to find the back of the net from a tight angle.

Dyer and Rangel were interlinking to superb effect on the right wing, however Catalan Rangel did not deliver such an assuring performance defensively.

Henry made his Premier League return with just under 30 minutes remaining, however failed to make the same impact as he did when introduced against Leeds in midweek.

For me, the only worry for the Swans at the weekend were the full backs. Offensively both were impressive, however got caught high up the field a number of times. I felt they were drawn into almost playing as additional centre-backs on numerous occasions, meaning both of our wingers were forced into defensive rolls too frequently.

With Fabio Capello present for today’s fixture at The Liberty, Nathan Dyer delivered one of the most exhilarating performances of his career, showing his credentials offensively and defensively, he, along with substantially helping Swans to victory, staked the perfect claim for a place in England’s Euro 2012 squad.

This momentous victory for Swansea sees them soar into the top half of the Barclays Premier League table.

If you buy a programme when you go to a game, then there will often be an article on one previous encounter between the two teams. Usually this takes the form of a crucial league win for the home side, or a memorable cup game.

The Daggers today entertain Hereford United. Mention Friday 27th February 2004 to anyone who has been following the club for less than eight years, and you will probably get a very blank look back. Mention it though to anyone who has been supporting the club longer than that, and the chances are that they will start to break out in a cold sweat, and shudder at the memory of a night that produced (for the Daggers at least) the game from hell.

In 2003, we had lost the Conference play off final to Doncaster Rovers, and during the summer that followed, most of the side that had reached the final at the Britannia Stadium left the club. There were big changes for the club at the time, not least the move to a full time playing squad. With many of that side unable to give well paying jobs, they were allowed to leave and almost a whole new team came in. Unsurprisingly, the new players took some time to adjust, but it soon became clear that we were not going to be reaching the heights of the previous few seasons, and that was most definitely a transition stage.

An early season highlight was a 1-1 draw on a Monday night at Hereford. Twenty one of us made the trip west, and were rewarded with a deserved point, and a brick aimed at the coach on the way out of the car park. By the time that the reverse fixture came round at the end of February, things were not as good, but nothing could quite prepare us for what was about to happen.

The original game at Edgar Street had been broadcast on Sky, and must have been good enough for them to decide that the return at Victoria Road would get the same treatment.

Within fifteen minutes of the kick off, the Daggers had been reduced to ten, following a red card for Danny Shipp. By half time, Hereford were 3-0 up, and the points were already in the bag. The one thing that we could console ourselves with though was that, although the game was gone, that our team would carry on the fight, and that while we might lose the game, that we would go down battling.

We lost the second half by 6-0. Yes, in the old vidi-printer style, that’s six. The team that wouldn’t lie down all decided to go for a collective nap, and seemed to let the visitors just wonder through on goal as if they really couldn’t care less what happened. I know that you have to be polite to your guests, but to let them win 9-0 is probably taking it a bit far. And all live on national television as well. The most gutless, inept team performance I have ever seen was displayed for all to see thanks to the wonders of sky. By the time of the final whistle, well over half the home crowd had gone, and those that were left just wondered out like extras from a bad zombie film. There were few comments on the way out, just stunned silence. A few of us attended West Ham v Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground the following day, and the shock still hadn’t left us. We all agreed on the train to the game that the previous night must not be mentioned, and it wasn’t.

Within a few weeks, Garry Hill, who had led us from the Isthmian League to the upper echelons of the Conference was gone (telling us after an away game that he needed a rest, before pitching up ten days later at the newly moneyed Hornchurch), and John Still was appointed. The rest is history, but that Friday night is still our heaviest ever defeat (and Hereford’s biggest ever win), and although in some ways it may have been a freak result, a home game with Hereford always brings that fateful night floating back to the surface.

Saturday 14th January 2012, Dagenham & Redbridge v Hereford United, Victoria Road

Because of the excellent 0-0 draw with Millwall last weekend, we now have a midweek replay to contend with in the next few days. However, today we have a tough league game against a side that are in a similar position to us, at the wrong end of League Two. Hereford are only one place and one point ahead of us at the bottom of the division, but come into this game having lost at home to Bristol Rovers during the week, and collecting five points from the last eight games. Given our recent form, we should approach this with some confidence.

However, the discussion in the clubhouse prior to the game is that there is more optimism surrounding our trip to Millwall on Tuesday, than today’s game. Our home record against Hereford isn’t bad, with only two defeats in nine games and the other seven resulting in Daggers wins.

In truth, perhaps it would have been better had we stayed in the bar. Right from the kick off, there was a different atmosphere to the game than most of our recent matches, and it was soon clear that this was going to be a long afternoon. A disjointed half continued, and with a few minutes before half time, the only goal arrived. The visitors won a corner from their right wing, and following the cross by Colbeck, a header from Yoann Arquin found its way into the net. The only thing to happen in the remainder of the half is a Hereford substitution, as Simon Clist is replaced by Samuel Clucas, and at half time, the only meaningful attack of the half has resulted in the only goal of the game. In fact, before the goal, the most exciting moment of half was when one of the ball boys managed to kick the corner flag, instead of returning the ball to the player taking the throw. It really was that entertaining.

The second half isn’t a lot better than the first. The game trundles on as it had in the first, except that this time around, there isn’t the excitement of a goal. Neither goalkeeper is forced to make a difficult save, with them only having to deal with a few crosses each, either catching them or punching them clear. Any shots at goal (and the post match stats reckoned that there were only five on target for the whole game) are comfortably dealt with as well, and the crowd is starting to drift away as three minutes of added time is announced.

The final whistle is greeted by some booing from the home support, but the sense of disappointment is huge. Results have conspired to leave us in the same 22nd place that we started the day, but there is now a four point gap to 21st. While the trip to south London during the week will be a nice distraction, the trip to Crewe next weekend is far more important in the context of our whole season. This was a game played out by two teams that have comprehensively displayed why they are at the bottom of their division, but we have to hope that this was just the proverbial bad day at the office.

The last few weeks have been good for the Daggers. Back to back wins at home between Christmas and the New Year over Barnet and Gillingham moved us up to the heady heights of 20th in the division. On the Bank Holiday Monday, our fourth game of a hectic schedule saw us visit Roots Hall, and a game against Southend United. I had chosen some time back to give this one a miss, and instead attend West Ham. The text message from Dagenham Dan at the end of the game to say that we had drawn 1-1 put a spring in the step (although we dropped back down to 22nd), which was especially needed after watching the Hammers laboured win over Coventry.

The good run of form continued on Tuesday night, in an Essex Senior Cup tie at Brightlingsea Regent. A side containing a few first team players won 1-0 to secure a place in the semi finals for the second time in three years. While the county cup may not figure high on the priority list, it was good to see players like Mark Arber making his return from injury (and scoring the only goal), as well as Rob Edmans. Edmans was a summer signing from Chelmsford City, but is actually yet to play a first team game due to a broken leg which was sustained before he signed for us. It was most definitely a risk, but one that hopefully will pay off for us in the future.

All this good form leads us to today, and the third round of the FA Cup. For many, this is when the competition starts, as all the clubs currently playing in the top two divisions enter the tournament. However, away from the privileged of the premier league, we all know that it actually starts in August, although none of the teams that started back in the summer survive in the competition.

Our record in the FA Cup over the last couple of years in mixed to say the least. As a conference club, we reached the third round three years in a row, which actually culminated in a appearance in the fourth round in 2003. A last minute goal by Zema Abbey at Carrow Road for Norwich put them into the fifth round at our expense, although it had been a heroic performance in front of around three thousand travelling fans. Since promotion in 2007 though, we’ve only made it this far once, and that was in the first season up. A trip to Southend ended with a 5-2 defeat, and our goalkeeper Tony Roberts achieving what must have been an FA Cup first; the first keeper to score in the competition (in 2001), and then to be sent off in the opposition penalty area. Since then, our record has not been great.

Although we have made through to round three, our only win came after extra time at Bath City in the first round replay. The two games against Walsall in the last round ended in draws, and if you want a stat here, then it is that our last win in 90 minutes in any FA Cup tie (be it the original game or replay) came on Tuesday 18th November, 2008 against Hereford. Since then, we have played eight, and the only win was that game at Bath.

At least Millwall have an appearance in the final to their name. Playing in Cardiff in 2004, they were beaten 0-3 by Manchester United, and at the present time, are the last but one team from outside the top division to have made it to the final. There is time for just one more interesting fact though, and it is this. We both won promotion on the same weekend back in 2010 at Wembley. On the Saturday, Millwall beat Swindon in the League One play off final, and then twenty four hours later, we defeated Rotherham in the League Two. I promise that’s the stats over for now.

Saturday 7th January 2012, Dagenham & Redbridge v Millwall, Victoria Road
Ever since the draw was made, there has been a little bit of unease about this one. Having survived when I made the stupid decision to attend West Ham v Millwall back in August 2009, this game has all the hallmarks of being trouble. With West Ham playing tomorrow, and this being firmly West Ham territory, the police presence for this is massive, and certainly the most I have ever seen for a home game. Early indications are that the game isn’t sold out, but that won’t mean anything. Victoria Road is not the fortress that some stadiums are, and it could be a long day for the staff at the ground.

Although we all live only a few minutes from Victoria Road, Dagenham Dan, Graham and I make the decision to be at the ground early, so that we avoid any potential problems. For a normal Saturday home game, we would arrive at the club house around mid-day, but today is a 1pm kick-off, and so we have got to the ground at just after 10 in the morning. Arriving at the ground, there are already quite a few police milling around outside the stadium, and we’ve already had to present our tickets to stewards in Victoria Road, just to gain access to the car park that surrounds the ground.

We are allowed into the club house on presentation of our season tickets, and as kick off draws closer, the bar becomes busier. By the time we enter the ground with more than hour to go, the bar is busy, but the ground is relatively empty. This will obviously change, but for the moment, it is the calm before the predicted storm.

For the Daggers, there are a couple of enforced changes from the previous game at Southend. For a start, Kevin Maher is out injured, and Cristian Montano is ineligible as he is on loan from West Ham. There is good news though in the form of Mickey Spillane, who has now joined on a permanent contract from Brentford. Along with Scott Doe, Spillane has been instrumental in our recent good run of form.

There are also a couple of new loan signings, and both will be making their debuts today. Both coming from West Ham, Ahmed Abdulla and Eion Wearen both start in the team, which has a very youthful look about it. The majority of the side is in its early twenties, and will have to perform well against a higher placed opposition.

The first burst of “I’m forever blowing bubbles” is heard before the kick-off, although why there are people singing it here is beyond me. It has often been a topic of conversation on the daggers forums about people turning up to our games wearing West Ham shirts, even if we are playing Hereford or Macclesfield. Most try to drown it out, but it is definitely there in the background, and it’s not good to hear. As if to counter the threat, as the teams emerge on to the pitch, two lines of police move in, and those wearing the blue caps make their way straight to the neutral zone, that separates the standing Daggers fans, to the “seated” Millwall fans. These don’t look like U.N. peace keepers, but they immediately position themselves in such a way that no one is going to get through.

The first half isn’t bad, but there are few chances for either side. Abdullah fouls the Gareth Bale look-a-like John Marquis early on, but his free kick is weak and comfortably held by Lewington. The first daggers effort takes just over a quarter of an hour to arrive, but a 30 yard effort by Ilesanmi is over the bar.

Neither keeper is required to make a difficult save in the first half. There is a close moment mid way through, but Liam Feeney (booed almost constantly during the game by the same bubbles singing “fans”) shoots wide. There is a reassuring thud as the ball hits the advertising board behind the goal, that we are still level, although it could and possibly should have been on target.

Both Abdulla and Wearen have settled after a nervous start, and the side as a whole have taken their time to get into the game, but they have come into it more. Millwall have that little bit of extra quality, as you would expect from a team two divisions higher, and you can see this by the fact that they are slightly quicker to close us down when they have lost the ball. However, as the teams leave the pitch, the score is 0-0, and the home side are given a standing ovation as they depart.

The game resumes, but while there is no real pattern to the game, it is an interesting one to watch. The first thing that happens involves the visiting keeper, Steve Mildenhall, who slices a back-pass in the air, and Brian Woodall is on hand to nick the ball. However, no one is able to get into the penalty area, so when his cross (or was it a shot) goes over, there is no one on hand to tap it home, and it trickles out harmlessly on the other side for a goal kick. Marquis has a chance almost straight after, but his shot finds the side netting, and then Kane has a header saved.

The play is now becoming stretched, and is getting better as a game, but still neither side look like they have the ability to actually score. The Daggers have another good chance mid-way through the half; a foul on Woodall results in a free kick taken by Dominic Green. His delivery to the back post is headed by Nurse, but as the substitute Jake Reed challenges Mildenhall, the referee blows his whistle for a foul, and play is stopped.

For Millwall, Liam Trotter is having a good game in the centre of their midfield. Similar in build to Tom Huddlestone, he is proving to be a right handful for the home midfield. He is perhaps the outstanding midfield player for the visitors, but is almost matched by Billy Bingham for the Daggers, who manages to create time and space in a congested area of the pitch for his passes on a frequent basis.

With a quarter of an hour left, the home side are starting to get on top, and have a few chances in this time. First a left foot volley by Jon Nurse loops over the keeper and onto the top of the net, before a Jake Reed shot is blocked by the impressive Millwall centre back, Darren Ward. Ward and Paul Robinson have been excellent today, and both have been instrumental in keeping the Daggers at bay, meaning that Mildenhall hasn’t had to make a meaningful save.

Four minutes are added on, but already Dagenham Dan is getting excited about the replay at Millwall. There is a last chance in stoppage time, but by the time the ball gets to Dominc Green, the play has slowed enough to allow enough defenders to get back. Green’s shot is wide, and that is the last effort of what has been a good cup tie.

As they approach the tunnel underneath the away fans, Millwall are booed from the pitch. Given they are two divisions above us they would have (rightly) expected to win. However, the fact that neither goalkeeper was forced into a decent save means that both teams will have to try again in about ten days time. For us, this was an excellent display. Dan’s betting slip had us to win 3-1, which was maybe being a bit optimistic, but it could have happened. We were missing Montano up front today, and his partnership with Woodall in recent weeks has blossomed, to the extent that we have picked up in our league games. Results in the league have pushed us back into the bottom two of League 2, but it shouldn’t be allowed to dampen our day. For ninety minutes, we more than matched a team from two divisions above us, and should be proud of the players efforts over the course of the game today.

Aside from one ejection from the ground, it all seemed to pass off peacefully in the stadium, although what happened outside, I can’t say. The police helicopter was up and hovering overhead as the game moved into stoppage time and it stayed around for quite a while after the game had finished. Within ten minutes though, we were all back in the bar (although not before I had got my photo taken with two other supporters called Brian Parish) and reflecting on a decent Daggers performance. It may all be different when we go to the New Den, but for now, we’re in the fourth round draw, and dreaming of what might be.

We have grown the website in the cyber world, without any need for meetings to discuss plans – which is quite handy as we live in all different corners of England.  But a meet up was long overdue, so we pencilled in a post Christmas bash.  FA Cup 3rd round day to be precise. And with the chance of an upset on the cards, there was really only one potential venue – The American Express Community Stadium for Brighton & Hove Albion versus Wrexham. Of course it was.

Every day I pay £7.00 for the intense pleasure to be squashed into a train to London.  The journey time is less than 20 minutes (in theory) and the distance is 8 miles each way.  So imagine my surprise when a return to Brighton (57 minutes journey, 61 miles each way) was procured for just £10.  But what I hadn’t factor in on my short hop to London Bridge on this fine Saturday morning was the comedy value of two Millwall fans.  The Lions were playing at 1pm at Dagenham in the FA Cup so it was an early start for these two.  We will call them Lurch (6 foot, as thin as a pin, as thick as a pint of Brains Black) and Stumpy (5 foot as wide as a barn door) who was the brains of the operation.

Their conversation started off with some warnings that “ICF” could jump them at any moment as we passed through the leafy suburbs of Mottingham.  Lurch was confused why they were going so early, and had assumed that Dagenham was near Birmingham.  ”So that is there to do in Dagenham then?” Asked Lurch. “Naafin, but we need to get to the meet early daws”. Stumpy seemed to have digest the whole of Danny Dyer’s International Football Factories, his shifty eyes scanning the train just to make sure West Ham weren’t onboard.  ”Do you remember when we played Sunderland a few years ago?”  Asked Stumpy. “No – who were they?” “They played in red” “Ah yes” the lights came on in Lurch’s head “Faaakin caaants”.

The carriage were treated to a few more pearls of wisdom about it all “going off at Whitechapel at 11am”, and then the arrival of Fingers at New Cross was announced.  Now what would this character bring us? He sounded legendary, and the revered tones suggested that he was someone important.  Fingers turned out to be about 50, looked like Ronnie Corbett and wore a salmon pink jumper.  I could see his hands and counted ten fingers, so I can only assume his nickname came from his love of all things Captain Birdseye.  Their final act of lunacy came when they stood up to “salute” the New Den as we passed it on the train. This was a train journey I will never forget.  One day someone will make a film of it.

I met up with Damon and we were soon in the pub in Brighton enjoying the first few beers of the day with the rest of the team, and special guest Ian King from Two Hundred Percent as well as Simon, the other half of The Real FA Cup. After a short train ride to Falmer where we ticked off the FA Cup staples of some red curly wigs and a tin foil FA Cup we were downing the Harvey’s on the concourse in the West Stand, well all of us bar one – the token northerner, Hartch,  had come to the home of real ale and was drinking Fosters.

Brighton have broken the mould in the design of the little things for a stadium.  Fans want food, beer and entertainment when they go to a game.  And with plenty of portable stands, home-made pies and screens all along the length of the concourse the fans are well catered for.  There is even Brighton-themed art on the walls.  Hello fans, we want to be in the stadium for as long as possible.  Yours sincerely, BHAFC.

Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Wrexham 1 – The Amex – Saturday 7th January 2012
At 4.55pm, the Wrexham players left the perfectly manicured Amex pitch to a standing ovation.  Not only from the 3,000 travelling fans from North Wales, but from most of the Seagulls fans who had seen the Welsh team more than match their side despite their being over 50 places between them in the league structure.

Twenty years ago Wrexham pulled off one of the biggest ever shocks in FA Cup history when they beat Arsenal in the third round.  This was one of the legendary George Graham Gunners teams who were First Division Champions the season before.  However, the good times haven’t really hung around The Racecourse Ground much in the past two decades and their slip into the Non Leagues was almost accompanied by terminal financial ruin.  The hardcore Brighton fans could relate to this, remembering the game just a few years later when it was essentially win or bust for them away at Hereford United.

But this was all about the magic of the cup.  League form was put aside for 90 minutes as Wrexham gave a fantastic display of themselves, roared on by the constant noise of their travelling fans.  There was no animosity on display, there was no play-acting on the pitch from the players just a good fashion cup tie.

As we supped our half time Harveys we heard a cheer.  We assumed it was a Wrexham goal based on the muffled noise, but it was actually Jake Forster-Caskey, the youngster who can boast Darren Caskey as his Dad and Nicky Forster as his Step-Dad (or vice versa).  However, it was no surprise that Wrexham equalised when Cieslewisz waltzed into the area and his shot took a deflection of an ex-Rook, Grant Hall, and flew into the net.

So a draw was a fair result in the end.  Today’s draw saw the prize on offer of a home tie with Newcastle United which should be a huge incentive for both teams.  Our night was young though as we boosted the profits of the club’s bars for an hour or so before heading back into town to get the lowdown on Lewes’s defeat to Wealdstone from the returning Deaks and Dave.

The question we are asked all the time is “What happens when you reach 500 reasons?” Well, the answer came to us around 9.30pm in the Nelson.  The 500RTLF Beer scarf.  It was revolutionise the football experience for millions of fans. Form an orderly queue.

“Bring me Sunshine” goes the song most associated with the seaside town of Morecambe, yet typical british weather decided otherwise as the rain lashed down on my Fiat Grande Punto on the long journey to Lancashire from the East Midlands. The final match of 2011 for Burton on whats been a memorable year for the Brewer’s, a last gasp giant-slaying of Middlesbrough in the F.A cup, securing football league status for the second season running and now Albion find themselves battling amongst the divisions top six for a dream ticket to League One.

Still there was the small matter of an away tie before all that due to take place at the brand spanking new Globe Arena, the Shrimp’s residence after leaving Christie Park in 2009. Arriving in Morecambe is one of the easier drives to an away ground in the country with a few car parks surrounding the stadium and street parking a-plenty. Car parked it was time to brave the elements and head to see one of Morecambe’s main attractions, the statue of the towns most famous son, Eric Morecambe.

One half of legendary comedy duo Morecambe and Wise (i’ll leave it up to you to guess which one) Eric’s statue is surrounded by a Hollywood walk-of-fame style arrangement with stars depicting famous names that have appeared on the pair’s chat show’s over the years, well worth a look if you’re ever up in this part of the country, on the other hand from riches to rags the town appears a shadow of its former pomp in its heyday of years gone by and in parts has the appearance of a delapidated seaside resort that once owned a large slice of Britain’s tourist trade.

Culture absorbed and round two of being battered by the most torrential rain i’ve ever experienced later, I’d made it to the stadium. On first impressions there doesn’t seem a lot around the ground, other than a caravan park and desolate space only magnifying the sheer lack of fans in the area half an hour prior to kick off. Once through the turnstiles onto the Bay Radio terrace, I nestled in with the quite brilliant travelling support who had made the long journey north from Staffordshire. I’d read in a quite brilliant book, featured on this website in fact, about the credentials of Morecambe’s pies and armed with this information I concluded that it would be criminal not to part with £2.50 for a plate of meat and potato heaven, safe to say it did not disappoint. For a football league club, Morecambe are definately Premiership for pies. Wearer’s of Bench clothing or those who love a bargain may also be interested in a trip to the Globe Arena as the clothing line has its own section in the club shop at 50% off the recommended retail price.

The design of the stadium is almost identical to the Pirelli Stadium at Burton with the floodlights long and stalky and the two terraces of similar stature and facility, however the subtle difference comes in the shape of the North terrace to the right of the away support, its almost as if the ‘stand’ was built on a friday at 4:45pm with the builders installing four row’s and a wall before knocking off for the day, a slight let down on the overall appearance of the ground. The Albion support got behind their team from the off, pushing for promotion against a Morecambe side struggling at home after a derby defeat to Accrington Stanley (who are they?). However it was the home side who forced the early running with Andy Fleming forcing a finger-tip save from Burton ‘keeper Ross Atkins. Slightly against the run of play the Shrimp’s took the lead through Lewis Allessandra’s curling effort clipping the post on the way past a helpless Atkins, 1-0 and the away support temporarily silenced.

Morecambe’s home support soon came to life, as it was discovered that in stark similarity to Sheffield Wednesday, they had their own brass band behind the goal. Considering there were only 1,810 people in the ground the atmosphere more than made up for it. It wasn’t long before Burton’s pressure told and as Billy Kee lined up a free-kick Roberto Carlos style, his thundering effort took a huge deflection past Barry Roche in the Morecambe goal to level the scores. The rain by this point was worse than ever as a catalogue of errors blighted both teams “Get back on that beach…….with the rest of the donkeys!” one bloke shouted from the back of the stand, causing a ripple of laughter across the terrace.

The beauty of being at League two stadiums is that generally you are within touching distance of the players and can therefore hear everything thats being said and pick up on all the little things that the officials are missing. On this occasion we focused on Morecambe’s afro-bearing striker Jason Price (looking a little like a lower league Marouaine Fellani) involved in a tussle with Brewer’s centre half Nathan Stanton, pushing, shoving and handbags were exchanged before Price picked up a booking for a cynical foul on the touchline causing injury to Stanton’s shoulder. This prompted an outburst of abuse from the travelling yellow and black army from the original ‘Get your hair cut’ to the slightly more advanced ‘Pricey, you’re a twat!’

With Burton growing in confidence a second goal was looking all the more likely and it came early in the second half thanks to birthday boy Calvin Zola with a header from inside the six-yard area. Barry Roche looking nearly as frustrated as when keeping goal for Nottingham Forest in a game against Derby County he was outfoxed by a combination of Paul Peschisolido (now managing Burton of course) and a plastic coffee cup, resulting in a hilarious miskick and a Derby goal, he was frequently reminded throughout the afternoon.

The Shrimp’s would not lie down despite the Albion pressure and a 25-yarder from Gary Mcdonald ensured that the points were shared. Whilst squelching away from the stadium, in what had now become marshland, I concluded that it had been a brilliant day out, four goals, free parking and the most famous pie in the country, Happy new year!