After a great home win midweek, the Millers returned to action with another visit to East Anglia. As the hardy few headed for Norwich, we headed back to blighty in the company of Gary and friends as our trip North of the border came to an end. We had had another two rail journeys, one North to Wick, and the other East to Kyle of Lochalsh, both with spectacular scenery. We had also squeezed in a visit to the famous, Eilan Donan Castle, where the Highlander first met Sean Connery.
Also notable was the fact that Blackpool had beaten Cardiff the night before to register their first win of the season and bring the pack below us a little closer. We may be up to the heady heights of 17th but could not afford to be complacent.
We were required to rise at an ungodly hour as the coach was due to leave at 7.15 and Gary ordered us not to be late. It was a motley crew that gathered outside the poor mans restaurant waiting for them to open the doors for breakfast.
We rushed in at precisely 6.30, to be served expertly, as we had been all week, by our waiter Marius.
Amazingly Donald, the assistant manager who seemed to be on call constantly and expected to do every job imaginable, was nowhere to be seen. Lazy Beggar!
Just after seven we all trooped out to the bus to face Gary's heckling and were ready to leave at 7.10. Just shows what fear can do for you. For our whole week in the Highlands we had had amazing weather, bright blue sunny skies and warm temperatures for the most part, but that changed this morning. Light rain as we boarded the bus turned into a deluge as we headed south, culminating in a delay on the Edinburgh bypass as one lane was closed due to flooding. We still arrived in Jedburgh with time to eat, Gary allowed us 45mins, and it was time our thoughts turned to football once again. On checking my App I found that Weds were beating Leeds 1-0, and United were losing 2-0 to Chezzie at half time, despite Chezzie having their keeper sent off. We re boarded the bus and recommenced the journey South, when disaster struck. As we crossed the border into England my phone lost all signal. No way to find out the score until we re entered range, and who knew when that would be. I took to thinking about the match and my expectations. I was feeling pretty confident if truth be told, although the Canaries were top of the league. I hadn't seen a single Magpie all week, and the singer on Tuesday night (Ronnie Scott, a kilted crooner) had given a stirring rendition of Frank Sinatra's 'New York New York', complete with leg kicking.
Charlton had also beaten them at Carrow Road during the week, and we all know that we had anialated Charlton. Away win then.
My upbeat mood lasted until we found service again and I got a look at the team. Luciano was not allowed to play as Norwich is his parent club, so Steve had opted for Matt Derbyshire. He has not filled me with confidence this season so far, and, in the absense of Ryan Hall (has he left for Bury?) he is Ian's 'Lionel'. Maybe a draw then. Jeff told me a bit of good news via the SkySports App. Leeds had equalised and the final score vs Weds was 1-1.
I settled back nervously to await the buzz in my pocket, checking the SkySports App every now and then, my phone battery was running low and I didn't want to waste it. We appeared to be holding our own. As I checked the App after about thirty minutes I noticed a booking for Ruddy, the Norwich keeper. Strange I thought. Back in my pocket went the phone but buzzed almost immediately. Norwich 0 Rotherham 1 (Green, Pen)!!!, it screamed. Ian and I did a muted wah, and high five. Long, long way to go. It seemed Ruddy fouled Derbyshire, but was only booked. A clear sending off, we thought, from a coach on the A1. Half Time, buzzed my pocket. Whew.
I had to use my phone even more sparingly now as battery was critical. As I dozed I felt a slight vibration from my pocket area. One eye closed I pulled it out. Norwich 1 Rotherham 1 (Jerome, 77)!!!,
All my dreams of six wins on the bounce and a top three place at Christmas evaporated. Now we needed to hang on and the ref wasn't doing us any favours (clearly!). As the other results began coming in my phone lost connection again, but Ian managed to locate his app (when he opened it, it said Rotherham 0 Walsall 1, how long ago was that?). 90+3, corner to Rotherham, Jeff told us. Suddenly the dream was on. Before telling us what transpired the page turned red. Final score 1-1. We both heaved a huge sigh. Great point against the league leaders with the ref against us and Derbyshire up front. We are on a roll, shame we have yet another blooming international break!
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