Lancashire looked magnificent as we reached the peak of Blackstone Edge. The skies were leaden overhead, whilst the best of the daylight was slowly sneaking away. The rolling hills with their wind turbines, the reservoirs, and Rochdale beach at Hollingworth Lake were all in the distance. It’s only when you drive down the hill that you get to appreciate the real charm. ‘Look, there’s a red brick house,’ said the Greetland Shayman peering out of the back window, ‘and another, and another, and another…’ Our 18-mile adventure really was going downhill.
It was like a scene from Dr Who. At first glance it was just an ordinary street, there were terraced houses on one side with doors opening onto the street. On the other side, more terraced houses, this time with small front gardens. We were sitting in the car eating our buckets of chips whilst looking around admiring the view. Suddenly objects started to appear amongst the greenery and bushes in the gardens. Some were partially hidden, some peering just above walls, whilst others were loud and proud hiding in plain sight.
‘Excuse me sir, ‘said a guy who appeared at my open car window, ‘do you mind moving your car and parking somewhere else? Only me and my neighbours have stolen traffic cones from the council, and we like to put them out before the football’. ‘We’ve noticed’, I replied, ‘we’ve just watched a guy march out of his living room with two and plonk them in the street. They are also scattered in everyone’s gardens.’ He went on the explain that the guy in question across the street doesn’t even own a car, and that the DJ at number 13 has also acquired temporary traffic lights to aid his music career… To cut a long story short, I explained that I had specifically selected his street due to its proximity to the football ground, and that we’d set off early to ensure the spot would be free. We politely declined to move as Tesco Pete gave him one of those looks.
With an advanced admission of £24 we had some cracking seats on the halfway line in a stand all of our own. Opposite was the main stand, with home terracing behind the goal to our right, and a decent seated stand behind the other goal. We also had the pleasure of the Young Rochdale Choral Society gathered in the nearest block of home seats. They looked truly menacing with their coordinated dance routines and rhythmic clapping, backed by a drummer and a tiny flag. Credit to many of the 584 travelling Shaymen who unwittingly ended up close to them.
The first half was competitive, Rochdale were on the front foot, whilst the Shaymen worked hard to keep the ball. Johnson was by far the busiest keeper, not in terms of saving shots, but by acting as an additional defender to pass the ball to. Maintaining possession was the name of the game. The referee kept us lively too, each foul was assessed with his wheel of fortune, often landing on a free kick for the home side and a booking for the away team. Town’s opening goal just before halftime was pretty much our first attempt, it was perfect, we loved it.
Town had the audacity to start the second half in the same way, every pass and every challenge mattered. It was terrific to watch. With only our second attempt of the game, it was 2-0. The Choral Society were having a nightmare, the Shaymen were in town, and everything was going wrong for the home side, despite their attack minded performance. Rochdale pinched a goal back with 30 minutes to play then really came alive, it was game on. Johnson made a good save, a good few attempts missed the target against the odds, whilst the referee continued with his wheel of fortune. More bookings, this time for both teams, and all seemed a little random. Credit to the referee too though, he spotted a hand ball in the build up to a potential Rochdale equaliser late on. We never doubted him, a fine fellow…
Town thoroughly deserved the applause at full time, it was a great performance and had capped off a string of four victories, three of which were away from home. The thoughtful Chadders asked us on the way to Gateshead, how many points we’d accumulate over the following four games. I for one was rather too pessimistic with my prediction, all the fixtures were tough, and I could see little chance of many points. How wrong I was, a terrific string of results, well deserved.
Next up and it’s the return of the FA Cup and a visit to the seaside before our next league game at Truro. If you fancy an early morning set off and a late night back, give us a shout. Many of the usual suspects are at the hairdressers that day and can’t make it. Bizarrely.
C’mon Shaymen !
Miles on the road: 2172. Goals on the road: 9 Points on our travels 13
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