Forest

Nottingham Forest v Rotherham, The City Ground, Tues 17th March 2015, Att 20,569

The good news was that Nottingham Forest always play midweek matches on a Weds, thus making it very easy for me to attend. Plus the fact that Vicky lives in Nottingham meant an easy life for all. The bad news is that Rotherham United have never won at the City Ground. Never. Ever. So the awaynight inevitably was to be tinged with sadness. Multiple single magpie sightings during the day didn't help either. I decided to try and even out the luck a bit by using the awaydays mug, without too much hope I must admit. 

Ready to go

Ian and I left in good time, and amazingly arrived in good time, meaning we got to eat tea at a local beefeater before heading for the ground. With my miraculous memory for football ground parking places we parked in the town hall, just a stones throw from the ground. The same place we had parked the last few times we got stuffed by Forest. Only five pounds too, a bargain! 

We followed the streaming hoardes, not a Rotherham fan in sight, towards the ground, looking for the Bridgford Lower Stand. Three times we came across Turnstyles with that name, three times we were turned away. It appears all the stands have the same name, presumably so as not to confuse the locals. Eventually, after walking all around the stadium, we came to some barriers, stewards, and search parties. At last, the away fans Bridgeford Lower. 

The city ground, with the county ground over the river. 

A trip to the loos was first on the agenda. Not the worst we had been in, but Vicky didn't like the fact that they had 'bars' of soap. "Other people will have touched them." Nor did she like the open basket type bin for the paper towels. "I don't like to be able to see the dirty paper towels". Nor did she like the sloping roof. "I felt claustrophobic in there". So I have had to mark them down. There was lukewarm water though. 

We took our seats in the very corner of the stand, only a few rows from the back again, and just in front of some sort of low budget executive box. A few of the yobos on the back row stood up to sing, only to be told by the stewards to sit down so those in the 'box' could see. It was at this point that we first became aware of Mr Very Angry. A bit of grumbling came from his cronies, but he went mad, yelling out in a gruff voice. 'They shouldn't ######## sit there then'. 

Our panoramic view

There was a very nice touch above us. Because we were in The Bridgford Lower,  and presumably the Bridgford Upper was occupied by Forest fans, we were provided with a spit preventer. We didn't get one of those at Wolves

Very classy

The teams were announced, with Frecks coming back in for Green. Probably out with a training ground injury similar to the one picked up by Danny Ward who kicked himself and injured his knee. Perhaps they ought to calm down a bit. Out they came accompanied by a very very scary rendition of Mull Of Kintyre by the Forest fans. I'm thinking that a Frank Sinatra tune is not enough of a war cry, it doesn't strike fear into opposing players and fans like some of the stadia we have been too. I'll think on it. 

Too nice

The ref kicked off, and MVA began screaming about Scabby Nottingham. The ref was a bit of a worry. He had a big fat belly and had trouble keeping up with play, a problem Forest players exploited by falling over all the time. Especially the hated ex weds player Michail Antonio, who went down if a breath of wind hit him. We started well (where have we heard that before), but just before halftime (and that) a 'Rose and Crown ball' (TM Mr R Moore) caught the defence napping. Adam Collin was too far off his line and a sweet chip just evaded his outstretched fingers. 1-0. Almost immediately (and that one as well)  the ball came to Antonio in his own half. He was inexplicably allowed to run the length of the field, avoiding the whole Rotherham team. Even more inexplicably he did it without falling over. A good strike evaded Colin's outstretched fingers and nestled in the corner of the net. 2-0, and we had yet another mountain to climb. 

A vertical Michail Antonio

So, half time and we were behind again. Could we come back? Steve didn't make any changes for the second half, much to the disgust of MVA. The Forest fans began taunting us. In reply a lone Miller stood up, spread his arms, and began to sing about Derby going up, resulting in a round of applause all around. Pringle tried a cross, which was too long. MVA gave him a mouthful. Lafferty tried a cross from below us which ballooned into the crowd. The Forest fans laughed but MVA was apoplectic with rage. Questioning Laffertys parentage. His tirades were becoming louder and longer, with the result that Vicky and I didn't dare turn around in case he saw us and turned on us. Back on the pitch Frecks hit the post and Derbyshire missed the ball when alone in front of goal. (Insert MVA tirade). We were trying. Unfortunately it was not to be and the Hoodoo continued, with Forest winning 2-0. The good news was that because Fulham lost 3-0 we actually climbed a place in the championship table! The bad news is that we are still too close to relegation for comfort. Next up................

Men of the match

Ian - Smallwood, possibly Frecks

Jackie - Sammon

Vicky - Derbyshire, swung his foot with aplomb for the miss. 

Quote of the day, off the internet

The City Ground hoodoo might never end

Despite being one of the closest grounds for Millers fans to get to and its pleasant surroundings on the banks of the River Trent, across the road from the picturesque Trent Bridge cricket ground, the City Ground is never a nice place to go if you're a Miller. Their record there is simply atrocious, having not tasted victory since 1955 - a run of 12 games. Although recent games there prior to last night have ended in draws a win has never really been on the cards and the journey back is always a glum one. It's definitely a bogey ground - let's just hope the Millers get the chance to end the hoodoo next season.

Funniest (and scariest) moment. Mr Very Very Angry

Toilet watch. Was going to go with 6/10, but that soap, 5/10