I never expected that

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2
Rochdale AFC 1 - 2 Accrington Stanley FC

Journey

Winter is on the way. Today is officially the last day of Summer. As I drove up to Spotland I noticed that the tree's that flank Sandy Lane were clad in red and orange - although the swirling wind and rain were doing a decent job of undressing them. The gutters were thick with discarded leaves.

Torrential rain, frost and snow cannot be far away.

With the balmy months of August, September and October behind us, months of winter stretch ahead. This is where the serious business of challenging for honours is sorted out - in the dark and cold of the English winter. Postponements due to bad weather can play almost as big a part in a team's fortunes as anything they may do on the pitch.

As the wind whipped at the tree's and the rain lashed at my windscreen it did occur to me that just perhaps the game may be called off today - but then as I parked up the sun came out and the skies cleared. I never expected that.

It was only just 2 o'clock but the crowds around Spotland were already building and there was a buzz in the air. Dale are third in the table - a win today could see them go first. I never expected that either. 

Fireworks

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2

Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Barnet FC

Journey

Chaffeur driven to Spotland today.  No, not because I have had some starry fit and insisted that Roch Valley Radio provide me with a limo equipped with satellite TV, a mini bar and a selection of warm pies (I would be clueless with warm ladies - I can just about handle warm pies) - it's because of idiots.  Let me explain...

Car crime is a fact in our fair town.  It happens.  It happens quite a lot.  In spite of which, It was still a bit of a surprise when it happened to me.  More surprising was what they did to my car.  Having made a fairly poor attempt at nicking it from the front of my house - they set fire to it, in front of my house.  Nothing quite prepare's you for coming home from the pub to find that your pride and joy is now a gutted wreck, welded to the road by what had once been it's tyre's.

So no car and the nice folks at the insurance company have managed to wriggle off the hook as well.  Thank you idiots - thanks a bunch.

Clocks

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2

Burton Albion FC 1 - 0 Rochdale AFC

Journey

Tired and a bit hungover.  That's how I started my trip to Burton.  Why? Because I had spent last night at my High School reunion.  A gap of 22 years meant that I had been up gassing until nearly 4 o'clock this morning.  I even met a reader!  After nearly three years of doing this - I actually met someone who reads my incoherent ramblings - Mr. Mannock.  He was in my English class in third year - he said that it seemed like I may have been listening to Mr. Sara all those years ago - as opposed to gobbing off and passing notes to girls, which is what it may have looked like I was doing.  He also promised to make a trip up to Spotland this season - for some reason he actually wants to meet Mr. Turner. 

Which rather neatly links me to err - Mr. Turner.  With the untimely, although not unwelcome, death of my Sat Nav, Jane, and Mr. Keane's late withdrawal from the trip I needed a navigator.  A quick phonecall later, and Fat Nav was back!  With printed instructions from those nice folks at the Automobile Association - Mr. Turner and I set off south.