QPR v Barnsley pt2

Well I've spent the afternoon up in "that there London". And as usual I'm coming back in not too good a mood. Looks like I'll have to wait another year to see Barnsley win at Loftus Road. I'm more annoyed than depressed. The day had started out all too well, weather OK, trains on time, all the  sort of stuff that when it's not right can really screw up your day. Had a walk around Embankment, had a quick butchers at the London eye, laughed at all the tourists getting ripped off. Even walked across Westminster bridge and had a skeg at the houses of parliament. Eventually got the tube to Shepherds Bush and walked over to Loftus Road, disappointed to find that there wasn't as many Barnsley fans as normal, although I suppose with our previous record of wins there non existent it wasn't all that surprising really.

First half was good, finishing goalless albeit only thanks to a header off the line by David Perkins, and an amazing scramble involving two good saves by Jack Butland. It hadn't been all one way traffic either, Barnsley had a couple of chances themselves, not as clear cut as QPRs were but nonetheless not too bad.
So once the second half got underway it was with a bit of optimism that just maybe there might be a chance to get something out of the game. But it wasn't too be, from a quickly taken short corner Charlie Austin got the breakthrough, that to be honest QPR were looking good for. Barnsley didn't look out of it but there wasn't the intensity or cutting edge that we'd seen glimpses of in the first half. Unfortunately QPR were awarded a penalty with 10 mins to go that Charlie Austin put away with ease. And so I left Loftus Road just a tad pee'd off. Not with the display nor with the result, more from my own expectations. Being the eternal optimist does not bode well when you're a fan of Barnsley.

QPR v Barnsley

I've not done this for a while now, I've been a bit busy, what with work and family commitments its been a bit hectic to say the least.
I'm going up to Loftus Road today from Portsmouth, not my usual stating point, but seeing as I work down in Portsmouth Monday to Friday, it's more cost effective to stay the weekend and travel to to London for the game from there.
I'm really looking forward to this game, I know the history books have Barnsley not winning art Loftus Road in 63 years, but one day it's going to happen and I want to be there when it does.

Barnsley v Charlton

Barnsley 2-2 Charlton Saturday 17th August 2013

What can I say about the game, after 3 games of football, Barnsley managed to score twice, unfortunately so did Charlton, so as usual the result wasn't exactly making up for the long journey I'd just had to endure. Still Barnsley are off the mark now and at last are not bottom of the league. I had a good laugh listening to Radio Sheffield Praise or Grumble; I only ever listen when I know the two DeeDar Sheffield clubs have done badly. Their fans are a joy to listen to, Club Massive (Wendies) are probably the most deluded of the two; the way they go on, you'd think they were automatic contenders for the European Champions league because they are so "massive". The "Blunts" just can't abide the fact that little old Barnsley and Doncaster are in a league above them. Oh! and the inane ramblings of Brian the Blade can actually have you questioning your own sanity. If you ever find me agreeing with him, you can shoot me.

Post Birthday Party Blues

Have you ever got out of bed and thought there was something important you should be doing today?
Yes! good, then I'm not alone. That was me last Saturday, I have the excuse that I'd spent most of Friday afternoon and evening on the toot - a friends' birthday do! Problem was this was in Portsmouth, Hampshire - not the one in Calderdale which would have made the day much simpler. So in my overhung state I realised that I needed to get to Barnsley for the game against Charlton, now it's a minimum 4 hour journey, longer if you drive an old Freelander like I do (yes its now got an MOT - see last weeks' posts). But with this being the holiday season, straight away I knew I was going to be in trouble.

If you use the A34 from Winchester to Oxford on a regular basis you'll know what I mean. There were caravans everywhere:

• who in there right mind wants to tow their house behind them?
• Stacks of cars overladen with overweight offspring
• rear windows obstructed by everything but the kitchen sink
• Halfords roof rack boxes, bursting at the seams

And worst of all, a MG Midget, with a fat OAP wearing Ray Ban pilot sunglasses and what looked like a 3 foot long comb-over flying like a pennant behind him, doing 54 Mph in the centre lane of the M3. Laugh I nearly took out an Audi A3 trying to do 120 with a twat of a horse-faced hooray Henry driving it - suppose it wouldn't have hurt. I'm sure there's a box in all Audi's where you place your brain before you're allowed to start the car.

Anyway enough of that, no doubt they were off on their holidays, but did they not know I was on a mission? It was going to be Barnsley or bust.

Amazingly, once past Oxford and past the queues for the M40 it was easier going the rest of the way. With the exception of the  Ford Fiesta learner driver in the wrong lane at the A43 roundabout just off the M40. I have sympathy for them, but why are they trying to be taught how to drive in traffic that is way over their abilities?

I suppose after all my impatience all the above would love to learn that on my arrival at Oakwell justice was served on me by Mother Nature. As soon as I got out the car the heavens opened and I got piss wet through. Five minutes later sun's out and I'm steaming away like a gud un! Not funny!!!! At least I'd made it in time for the match, and even managed a quick pint in the Mount.

Blackpool v Barnsley

Blackpool 1-0 Barnsley Saturday 10th August 2013

There's nothing worse than losing by a last minute goal, or that's what I thought until the end of this game. Trust me there is! lose by a last minute own goal!!!!

Bloomfield Road has got to have the worst new stand in the whole of England. Restricted view doesn't even come into the equation. I had a better view of the rear of the stand behind the goal than I did of the pitch. And how on earth they get a safety certificate for the away stand doesn't bear thinking about. 
It was good to see that the travelling Barnsley Fans were in good voice, although their constant attempts to demolish the stand by synchronised bouncing with us all in it was worrying at times.
As for the game, not much to say really, Barnsley were better than the previous two games, at least they tried to shoot on goal. Blackpool were awful, how they are one of the pacesetters in the division is beyond me. The own goal I missed, having just been blinded by a smoke flare having just been let off amongst the Barnsley fans and an amateurish attempt by one of the stewards to get it put out and dropping it halfway down the stairs.

So all in all "an alright day, spoilt by a crap result"

Walk along Promenade

It's a good 30 min walk down to Bloomfield Road, as there's plenty of time I thought it'd be a good idea to stroll down the Prom. I've only gone 5 mins and WOW, well eventful. A Scouse girl walking along tapping away on her phone, and then bang! straight into a lamp post, head first. Went down as though shot by a sniper. And talk about tears? It's hard not to laugh because she really was upset.

 

I'm now in Coral Island, having another beer, it's amazing how many people are in here throwing their money away in the gaming machines. Each to their own I suppose. Never understood it really, although in their defence it isn't exactly beach weather today so they'll have to find something to do. I suppose they could say the same about me drinking my afternoon away.

 

I know I sound like a snob, but I'm not really. So long as people are happy doing what they do then it's ok by me.

Halifax to Blackpool by train

I wasn't going to watch the game today at Blackpool, but boredom's got the better of me, plus the fact my car failed its MOT yesterday I need cheering up. Thankfully Halifax is on the train line to Blackpool, so it shouldn't be a problem getting there. How wrong I am! This train is mobbed, I forgot that for some inexplicable reason many other people actually "want" to go to Blackpool. The fact they are going to stay there for longer than a few hours is way beyond my comprehension. Then again looking around me, there's a plethora of humankind travelling today. In one carriage there's a birthday group of over 50's from Halifax, behind me a hen party, already on their third bottle of the most vile looking blue alcoholic substance I've ever seen. OMG they've got a balloon out now, advertising its her third attempt at marriage!! Nothing like a sucker for punishment then! Also there's the two lesbians sat across from me trying to shock everyone in their own inimitable way. It's funny seeing the reactions they are getting from some people. The constant babble of unintelligible conversations is deafening.  Kids shrill screams punctuate the excited giggles of the hen party's attempts to take drunken photographs.

We've just left Blackburn and I've got a hyperactive fake blonde sat next to me. She's like a  bloody meerkat on speed bobbing up and down. Perfume chucks, and definitely overdone the spray tan, more Jaffa orange than golden brown. Oh well it takes all sorts to make a world. No doubt she thinks I'm weird here tapping away on my phone. Turns out the perfume is inter mingled with the smell of one of those liquid cigarettes, not nice at all.

Arrived safely and amazingly on time. Not been let down so far, Blackpool's reputation far exceeds its ability to impress.

Beers cheap though.