Visits to Football Matches/Grounds: 4th January 2025.

 8th March 2025: Peterborough United 1v1 Wycombe Wanderers

This, I would class as a local match, as Peterborough is only 1 hour up the line from Doncaster Rail Station. AS my leg was still problematic from last Saturday, I decided to grab a taxi to the ground, maybe 1.5 miles way from the station. Good away support from the Wycombe followers. This was not going to be a straightforward match for Wycombe as Peterborough have been getting positive results on their own ground. I was 'in' with the Wycombe supporters.

Impressions of the ground are good, well stewarded and they were very helpful. Fans of both sides mingled togeter in the Fan-zone for beers. But the stand that the away supporters were house at was positively 'stoneage'! This was an old terrace with the usual terrace-step with seats bolted to the steps with wooden seats, hence giving very little leg-room.

Why visiting supporters couldn't be house in the gleaming new GH Display Stand, (wich was empty, except for a few stewards, is beyond me!

The Posh had the better of the first half, scoring from a penalty after 16 minutes. The second half started with more urgency from the 'Chairboys' as they strove to reduce the deficiet. 

1st March 2025: Middlesborough 1v0 Derby County

This would be my first visit to the Riverside Stadium and I was looking forward to it and using an electronic ticket that had been downloaded to my Android phone.

22nd February 2025: Lincoln City 0v1 Burton Albion

Lincoln Railway Station, a fine Gothic-style building.

A very mild day made a change to all the cold and rain that there has been these past weeks. A trip down the line to Lincoln was the game that I was due to attend with my pal today and Burton Albion were the opposition. I would meet my pal from Derby at Lincoln station. 

A couple of pints before the game, (good job I had bacon sarnies for breakfast) and off we strolled to the ground, not too far away from the railway station. Maybe 20 minutes for two old codgers!

Presentation of the teams before kick-off.

Good support from Burton, almost packed the 'Away' half of stand! And they were in good voice, singing throughout the game. The football was okay, a few chances for either side. But it wasn't until the final minutes of the game that Burton scored the only goal of the game. Another priceless 3 points after the midweek win. Just glad it wasn't another 0-0!

First-half play.

Strolling back to the station, we called at a couple of pubs for another couple of pints. A grand day out, as they say. Mild weather, our team wins and a few pints!

Full-Time and Burton Albion win 0-1.

Burton Albion support.

Burton Albion players celebrate along with supporters at the 'Away-End' of the pitch.

Another very important result for Burton after last Tuesdays 0-1 win at at Stevenage. The travelling support greeted the team with chanting and singing to show its appreciation at another hard won result. To celebrate, my pal and I toured some pubs on the walk back to the railway station.

15th February 2025 Doncaster Rovers 1v2 Grimsby Town

On a cold and very wet day, I ventured out to the game. I had purchased a ticket last month. After the heay defeat of Doncaster by Chesterfield, last Thursday, hopes were high against near rivals, Grimsby Town.

Donny started well and pressurised the Grimsby defence, having three attempts on goal. But Grimsby soon took control of the game. Their passing was more accurate and in between their attempts to slow-down play by dropping to the ground at the slightest of contact with their opponents and then quick movement, they scored a goal just before half-time.

The second-half was played at the same tempo with Donny getting the ball in the net moments after the restart. But this was rulled offside. Just a couple of minutes later, Grimsby raced down the left-wing and poked the ball across the goal line whereby a Doncaster defender had the ball bounce off his leg and into the net.

Kick-Off. 12:30hrs and floodlights are on!

Rovers did try to up the tempo but Grimsby's spoiling tactics stopped Doncaster's fluent play. The Mariners support never stopped singing througout the game and the numbers in their support were very impressive. They almost filled the away-end of the stadium.

No matter how hard they tried, Rovers found it tough to penetrate Grimsby's 5-man defence and were continually prone to a Grimsby break-away. Five minutes from full-time, Rovers got a goal and frantically tried to get the equaliser bit to no avail. The Grimsby fans made the atmosphere here today. Fantastic support and their went over to applaud them at the end of the game.

1st February 2025 - Barnsley 0v0 Burton Albion

 Good to get out and about and a short train journey up to Oakwell at Barnsley to see if Burton Albion can make it 4 wins on the bounce. First half, the football was poor considering the league. Neither team created much though Barnsley slightly had the better of the play. The 2nd half had a bit more urgency from both teams but again overall it was very poor football. Burton had a good chance bu the player just couldn't poke the ball into the net. When Barnsley did threaten, Burton cleared off the line. So overall, apart from those two chaces, it was a very poor game. Get me home. As luck would have it, all trains had been cancelled due to a line-fault. So it was a bus back. Time for a cuppa tea and a couple of warm saussage rolls. Get me home, it's bitterly cold!

 4th January 2025: EFL Division 2 - Doncaster Rovers 1v2 Port Vale

Donny No.2 about to score with fine shot!

A view from the 'East Stand' of the Doncaster Rovers Vs Port Vale, League Two match. Must admit, the air tempreture didn't feel too cold during the daylight hours. But once the night came then the tempreture began to fall quite quickly. Snow was forecast later tonight. Met Graham at the railway station and we walked to the ground! Don't think we'll do this next time, a bus instead! Overall Doncaster didn't play well, ther seemed to be no urgency to their game. Port Vale have had a bit of an indifferent season up to Christmas, but are still in the promotion race. Against the run-of-play, Port Vale scored in the first half. The second started but there seemed to be some negative football by Rovers. passing was inaccurate and Vale held Rovers off comfortably. The scored a second goal midway through the half and looked very comfortable on the ball with quick incicisive passing. A consulation goal was snatched by Rovers near the end of the game which add a bit more urgency to their game, but to no avail. Port Vale held on for the 3 points.