Arsene Wenger once famously said that the Christmas games are important, but it’s the Easter games that are defining. With only four league games remaining, we set off on our 67-mile journey west knowing that the result would indeed be decisive for both teams. Having had a sticky run of results recently, losing points against teams we were confident about, it was time for the travelling Shaymen to set off en-mass, get behind the team, and play our part in what we hoped would be a good day out.
With traffic backed up on the M61 due to a car fire, then the M6 which was running at snail’s pace with holiday traffic heading towards the delights of Blackpool or the Lake District, we had no time to locate a chippy for lunch. Instead, we rolled up into the Mill Farm Sports Village almost two hours after setting off and still ravenous.
Admission to Fylde’s stadium presented a moral dilemma. The travelling Shaymen were charged £4 more than the home fans for the same type of accommodation. The dilemma was whether to swear allegiance to the home club and gain admission at a bargain rate or stick to your principles and pay the additional money to cheer the Shaymen on from the away end. Tempting as it was, we took the moral high ground, paid the price for standing, then sneaked into the seats, paying the same price as the home fans. Tesco Pete’s balaclava did seem a little over the top, but I’m sure we got in unnoticed…
‘I’m taking these back,’ said the Greetland Shayman along with a few other adjectives. He’d just visited the food and drink kiosk and returned with a couple of cups of tea that were at best tepid. His chips were twice cooked too, once on Tuesday, the second time on Wednesday, they looked great but tasted terrible. It’s not often he gets animated, but he set off down those steps like there was no tomorrow. He reappeared about 10 minutes later after someone had finally switched the kettle on.
The Shaymen kicked towards the home end in the first half, the terraces were desolate. The once enthusiastic home support has dwindled, the famous flags proclaiming 2022 as the target year for promotion to the football league now removed. On the pitch, the home side looked a shadow of their former selves. The Shaymen took control of the game early on and never looked under serious threat. The team went a goal up on the half hour, then rattled the post. Fylde were lucky to be just a goal down at the break.
With the Shaymen attacking towards the impressive travelling support of around 900, the game continued with the team running the show. The crossbar was rattled, another stonewall penalty appeal was turned down, it was all Town. Fylde had a few minutes of possession late in the game, but their fate and the game was sealed with perhaps the most comfortable single goal victory we’ve seen all season.
At full time, the team were well applauded for their efforts. The injured Joe Cummings on crutches and Jack Evans came on to the pitch and pumped up the crowd to celebrate the win. It demonstrates the togetherness of the squad and shows just how much yet another away win means at this time of the season. Arsene Wenger was right, it’s the Easter games that make all the difference.
Next up we’ve got a few battles at home before we head down to Wealdstone for the final league game of the season. C’mon Shaymen!
Miles on the road: 7186. Goals on the road: 31. Points on the road: 38.
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