Dabbers Seen Off

FC United 4-0 Nantwich Town
Unibond Premier; attendance 1,650
at Ewen Fields, Hyde United FC
A mid-week travel adventure and what a cracking game. What we got was a slick passing FC United and a battling and always dangerous Nantwich. A red card in the second half for a Nantwich player, and a missed penalty by Nantwich in the first half - it hit the post.

So off to Hyde as the home game. Took the Hadfield train from Piccadilly at 1918 calling at Ashburys (very dark), Gorton (didn't know they had a station), Guide Bridge (brightly lit), Flowery Field (sound sbetter than it is)...must remember to get off next otherwise I'll end up in Godley, then Hadfield which is where they filmed the League of Gentlemen Tv series.

Caught a view of the floodlights soon after leaving the station, and a ten minute walk gets you into the ground. In fact a lovely ground - clean, sturdy, plenty of stands. Plus a very well kept pitch. Considering Hyde played Salford in the FA Cup the previous night after a day of heavy rain it was in remarkable condition.

Watched the first half from the main stand side. The Nantwich fans, about 30 of them, had brought along a drum, which is always annoying. The FC fans went through their songbook for the next 90 minutes. For the second half went to the FC end. I do have a preference for watching your own side score close-up. Lucky tonight managed to see all four goals. One from a free kick, round the wall and into the far left corner. Keeper looked pretty miffed he didn't save it. He looked miffed later on when the defence did a bit of ball watching from 6 yards out.

Admission £7.50, refreshments £2.30, bus & rail ticket £5.30 (at last I've managed to understand the combined tickets available in Manchester). Got home at 2250h and straight onto the red wine - a fruity South African organic fairtrade bottle suitable for mid-week drinking.

Eventually I should get to every football ground in Greater Manchester, there are about 40 and I have still have 15 to go....