RAILS and WINGS and OTHER THINGS: August 2025

VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 1st APRIL 2025.

1st April 2025: EFL League 2-Doncaster Rovers 2v2 Walsall.

Kick-off.

Clear blue skies heralded the start of this match. 'Donny' had the chance with a win to jump into 2nd place in the league behind the opposition for the night, Walsall.

Doncaster players celebrate 1st goal v Walsall

I got there, quite late for me, 7:10pm, barely time for a quick smoke and buy a programme. Got inside the stadium and no time for a pint, just a quick half.

Expected a bigger crowd, but I guess that being switched to a night game and it's a working week, some people could not make it.

Walsall attack in final minutes.

The game started at a frantic pace with both teams smothering the play of each other. Rovers took the lead on 16 minutes but Walsall hit back with an equaliser 2 minutes later. So at half-time it was 1-1 and nothing to choose between them.

Doncaster score a 2nd goal.

There were few chances throughout the game but 6 minutes remaing, Rovers took the lead through the prolific striker, Billy Sharp, 2-1. But Walsall were tenacious in their play and grabbed a second last-gasp goal just before the final whistle! 2-2.

Corner to Walsall in final minutes.

Doncaster appreciate their support.

The match finishes 2-2.

RJC

END.

VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 29th MARCH 2025.

29th March EFL League 2 - Doncaster Rovers 3v0 Carlisle United

The Eco-Power Stadium from the air, photo, My late Wife Melanie. 2018.

Doncaster score the 1st goal, 1-0.

Carlisle United had been languishing at the foot of the league for most of the season, but under their recently appointed manager, results have picked-up. Rovers started the game as they have been this season, slowly, allowing Carlisle to play some bright football and put the Rovers goal under threat.

Carlisle repel a Rovers attack.

Carlisle on the attack.

Carlisle 'keeper looks on as they attack, but the game is just about finished 3-0!

Carlisle United fans, approx 300.

Gradually, Doncaster took control of the game and scored after 36 minutes. Passes by both teams were wayward at times allowing the opposition to put the other side under threat. Carlisle had slightly more of the play but good moves were let down by poor final attempts on goal.

In the second-half, Doncaster took a tighter control of the game and the pressure eventually gave way to two goals in 5 minutes for Rovers to win the match 3-0.

At one time, it looked as though Carlisle could have got something from the match but Rovers finishing was the difference between the two teams. I applaud the 300 or so Carlisle fans that made the journey south.

RJC

END.

VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 22nd MARCH 2025.

22 March 2025: EFL League 2-Chesterfield 0v0 Harrogate Town.

This would be my first visit to the new Chesterfield stadium.

My first visit to Chesterfield's new Stadium. Impressive, much more roomier than the old groud at Saltergate in the town centre. With train delays, I got to Chesterfield rail station later than I expected to meet my pal from Derby. This would severley reduce our 'drinking time' before the match. But no need to worry, we got a taxi to the stadium costing £6!

The stadium is situated amongst a shopping complex which is good for a choice of food and drink as well as your weekly shopping!

On the face of it this appeared to be an attractive fixture. A good crowd was in attendance from the home side but the support for Harrogate was somewhat disappointing.

The 1st half was an entertaining affair with both teams having chances. Harrogate started the more energetic, trobling the Chesterfield defence. But both teams managed to cancel each other out and the half ended 0-0.

During the break, the sky looked threatening and soon dark clouds filled it. As the players came out for the 2nd half, the rain began. For three-quaters of the second half, rain lashed down in torrents. Luckily, with this new all-seater stadium, we are all under cover.

Both teams effectively cancelled each other out, but it was a lively match. The torrential rain didn't help but glad I had made the visit.

Chesterfield Town Hall.

66431 at West Sidings, Doncaster.

RJC

END

VISITS TO FOOTBALL GROUNDS/MATCHES: 18th MARCH 2025.

18th March 2025 EFL League 1-Rotherham United 2v3 Wycombe Wanderers.

Rotherham United FC stadium from the air. Photo by my late wife, Melanie. 17June2018.

Another new stadium for me, this time, to see Wycombe Wanderers at Rotherham for a re-arranged night match. Good support from Wycombe supporters, numbering 218 on this bitterly cold night, we were amongst them. My pal from Derby joined me for this match.

Not much happened in the first half of the match. Wycombe didn't play as though they needed the 3 points to take them back to 2nd in the division. In fact, Rotherham showed more urgency to win the game and having the best chance when they hit the post and the ball bounced back into the 'keepers hands. The standard of football was poor. But I must say, the 45 minutes went quickly with Rotherham having been closest to breaking the deadlock.

Again in the second half, both teams cancelled each other out. The last quarter of the game did heat up though.

Rotherham went into the lead during the last 20 minutes of the match, a superb cross-shot that hit the inside of the far post and in the net. Unfortuately the Wycombe keeper should have saved the shot. Instead of spuring Rotherham on for a second goal, it spured the Wycombe players into action.

Three minutes later, a Wycombe attack ended with a goal from a powerful header, 1-1! Then in the 90th minute, a corner for Wycombe and another header, 1-2! Almost immediately in the 92nd minute, Wycombe got a third, 1-3! In the 5th minute of stoppage time, Rotherham won a penalty which was duly converted, 2-3 and that was the final score. Wycombe move back into the promotion places.

2nd half Wycombe on the attack

Wycombe players thank supporters at end of match.

At Doncaster, earlier, 37334 and 66431 at west sidings.

RJC

END.

1st MARCH 2025: PASSING THROUGH YORK RAIL STATION.

On my way to Middlesborough to watch a footbal match, I stopped-off at York Rail Station to get a connecting train. Class 225, 91114 'Durham Cathedral', was the electric locomotive that ferried me to York. As I walked over to the platform where I would get my connecting train to Middlesborough, I viewed another class 225, 91130 'Lord mayor of Newcastle'.