On the Road Again!

I had charged the Bluetooth kit in the LS2 helmet and had made sure the TomTom would connect.  What I didn't check was that the TomTom hadn't been set to avoid motorways. So the estimated time of arrival at Sutton was 2.36pm. For a 73 mile trip and leaving at 12.25pm seemed odd. In the end I knew I had to get to the A217 junction in the M25 and go right. Which I did. I actually arrived at 1.35pm. I then bluffed my way into the parking. I wasn't on the list but they told me to park by the bike shed. Phew. Once the bike was locked up I had to walk around three sides of the ground to the "away" turnstiles. I picked up my ticket from the Oldham team by the gate and went in. I had booked a seat at £18 for a senior. Seating was the "sit anywhere" stylee. The tea bar was just inside the gate and I had a bacon roll and a coffee. Found my seat. What a terrible game. To be honest both sides were not very good. Unsurprisingly as Latics were bottom of 24...

Given the current start to the season, four defeats from four starts, I still wanted to get to this game. It will be the first time that Latics have played at the Sutton. It is Sutton's first year in the EFL. I have been there before in the 1970's when we used to follow Walton & Hersham, in the days of the Athenian and Isthmian Leagues. The ground at Gander Green Lane is not that far from where my Gran and Grandad used to live in Lower Morden. Tickets went on sale yesterday to season ticket holders and I emailed the club to ask about collecting a ticket on the day at Sutton. Thanks to Mike Beech at the club I booked a seat this morning. As a senior citizen it cost £18. I am expecting to make the trip on Vera. The weather forecast looks good. Okay no rain! Fingers crossed it won't be five from five losses.

How glad I am that I was out and too late to have connected to the internet and signed away ten good pounds on iFollow. I did follow the game on my phone on the Sky Sports App and even the written commentary didn't make me feel any different. Colchester avoided relegation to the National League by the skin of their teeth last season end. In the first three games they had managed two draws and one loss.  So coming to Oldham should have proved a tight game and another loss. Instead they were 2-0 up after thirteen minutes. By all accounts Latics were poor. Not that we could expect much from a side that has one win all season in the Carabao Cup (on penalties) and three league defeats. It's not even the end of August and already things are looking like the drop is on the cards. Latics the only club in League Two with no points at all from four games.  That zero points.  None. Not one. Next week Latics are away at newcomers and first ever members of the Football League, Sutton ...

If Arsenal don't get to the FA Cup Final this year and stake a claim on a record breaking 13th victory it won't be for the want of trying or the draw. Preston North End from the Championship - level 2 in the pyramid Southampton from the Premier League - level 1 in the pyramid Sutton United from the Natinal League - level 5 in the pyramid All defeated, and all away from home on the opponents grounds. All beaten with various amounts of difficulty and the usual heart stopping moments for us paid up members at Arsenal FC. Next on the horizon are giant killers Lincoln City. Currently the runaway leaders of the National League (5th tier of the English pyramid) and already the giant killers of three Premier League clubs.   At least we are at home. Day and date to be decided after TV divvy up the Quarter Final (Last 8 left in it) games. COYG.