VENUE #84 NEWCASTLE UNITED St. James' Park

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday 21st January 2017

St. James' Park Stadium

Ground Capacity:-  52,401

Kick Off:-  15:00

Entry Fee:-  £29 

Programme:-  30p

Venue #84

    Directions To The Ground From Railway Station

      Come out of the station, across the two zebra crossings and then head up the pedestrianised Pink Lane. Then cross Westgate Road at the top. Then up pedestrianised Bath Lane with the old city walls on your right. Turn right on to Stowell Street (Chinatown). At the end of Stowell Street bear left up St Andrews Street by Rosie’s Bar, under the ornate Chinese arch. Then left up Gallowgate. St James' is on your right.

     St. James Park

     The ground was largely rebuilt in the 1990's and is now unrecognisable from the St James' Park of old. On approaching the ground, it looks absolutely huge, as it appears to have been built on raised ground. I particularly like St James' Park as it is totally enclosed and has a great atmosphere. With the completion of the additional tier to the Milburn & Leazes (Sir John Hall) Stands in 2000, the capacity has been increased to over 52,000. These stands have a huge lower tier, with a row of executive boxes and a smaller tier above. This development has created the largest cantilever structure in Europe and has a spectacular looking roof, which allows natural light to penetrate through it (and hence is good for the pitch). However the ground now looks

somewhat imbalanced with one half of the ground being significantly larger than the other two sides. These remaining two sides the Gallowgate End and East Stand are both of the same height and are two-tired. The stadium is also totally enclosed with all four corners being filled with seating. In October 2014 a large video screen was installed on the upper side of the Sir John Hall Stand, which looks rather odd, in terms of its position. Outside the stadium is a statue of former manager Sir Bobby Robson. 

Milburn Stand

East Stand

Sir John Hall Stand

South Stand

     Today's Opponents  ROTHERHAM UNITED as Newcastle are at the top of the league at the time of writing Rotherham find themselves at the total opposite end propping all the other teams up.  Millers find themselves in another relegation battle as they did last season finishing in 21st position in the table nine points clear of the drop.  Things look considerably worse this year as we're now in the second half of the campaign and Rotherham are at the foot of the table with sixteen points and nine points adrift of Burton Albion and safety.

     Last weekend saw the Millers beat Norwich City 2-1 at the Aesseal New York Stadium and with only 20 games left till the end of the season they will be looking to get something out of their visit to St. James' Park.

      Caretaker manager Paul Warne who took over from Kenny Jacket at the end of November will be hoping to maintain a run of form not only to improve the club's league position but also to boost his chances of taking on his roll full time.  The club were to announce a new manager at the beginning of the month but are content with sticking with Warne at the moment who is being assisted by former Rotherham player John Breckin.

NEWCASTLE UNITED ... 4   ROTHERHAM UNITED ... 0

     No surprise with the final scoreline of this game although things did get off to a slow start with Newcastle content with ball possession passing along the back line and midfield and occasionally threading the ball forward or down the flanks trying to get in behind the Rotherham defence without success. 

     In fact it was Rotherham who had the first real chance of breaking the deadlock when in the 38th minute a slip from Karl Darlow let in Anthony Forde who teed up fellow forward Jerry Yates who fired a tremendous shot toward Darlow's left hand corner but the Toon keeper redeemed himself with a spectacular save at full stretch to palm the ball away from danger.  If that had of gone in then things could have been rather different for Newcastle.

     But things started to go the way of form and Daryl Murphy's goal in the third minute of injury time was rough justice on Rotherham who at least deserved to go in at half time level.  Richard Smallwood was booked for a bad foul and from the following free kick which was taken by Jonjo Shelvey to find DeAndre Yedlin who cut the ball back to Murphy to turn and hit his third goal of the season.

     Rotherham's resistance caved in as in the fourth minute of the second half the deficit doubled when a shot from Yoan Gouffran was saved by Millers keeper Richard O'Donnell but the rebound fell to Matt Ritchie to score his first of the afternoon from six yards.

     Ten minutes later and the contest was confirmed over when a cross to the near post by Yedlin was headed home by Ayoze Perez for his seventh of the season and Newcastle's third of the afternoon.

     Ritchie finished off the scoring grabbing a brace in the 77th minute Slotting home from close range and equalling Newcastle's biggest win of the season and sending the Magpies flying high at the top once more with a comfortable goal difference tally.   

                       MATCH DETAILS

     

VENUE #83 SWANSEA CITY The Liberty Stadium

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

Saturday 31st December 2016

Liberty Stadium

Ground Capacity:-  20,972

Kick Off:-  15:00

Entry Fee:-  £35

Programme:-  £3

Venue #83

     The Club moved to the Liberty Stadium in 2005, after spending 93 years at their former Vetch Field home. Built by Interserve for a cost of around £30m, it is located near to the former site of the Morfa Athletics Stadium on the West side of the River Tawe. The stadium was christened White Rock by the Swansea residents, but was renamed the Liberty Stadium under a 10 year corporate sponsorship deal.

Although fairly conservative in its design, the stadium is still impressive. It is completely enclosed with all four corners filled with seating. Each of the four stands is two tiered and three are of the same height.

     The West Stand at one side of the pitch is slightly taller, having a row of 28 corporate hospitality boxes, situated above the upper tier. The Club's offices are also located behind this stand. An unusual feature is the great use of transparent roofing towards the South End of the stadium. This allows more natural light into this area, making for an interesting effect. Both ends have an electric scoreboard situated on the front of their roofs, although for some reason the scoreboard at the North End is larger than the one at the South End. Outside the stadium at the South West corner, by the club shop and ticket office, is a statue of former Swansea legend Ivor Allchurch. The stadium is shared with Ospreys Rugby Union Club.

     Away fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 2,000 fans
can be accommodated in this area, although this allocation can be reduced to 1,000 for teams with a smaller following. The views of the playing action from this area are excellent as there is a good height between rows and the leg room is probably one of the most generous of any stadium that I have visited. The concourses are spacious, with food and beverage outlets, plus a number of television sets, for pre-match and half time entertainment. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities are good. Away fans are separated from home fans by two metal barriers, with a line of stewards and Police in-between. Interestingly, the main singing contingent of home fans, have, in the traditions of the Vetch Field, situated themselves

along one side of the pitch in the East Stand, rather than at the South end of the stadium. Out of the station turn right and go up the High Street. At the traffic lights turn right into Neath Road. Proceed straight along Neath Road and you will eventually reach the stadium on your right.

     Swansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is about two miles from the Liberty Stadium. Regular local bus services (every ten minutes: routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132) and taxis (around £6) are available from the train station to the stadium. Otherwise if you have time on your hands and wish to embark on the 25-30 minute walk, then as you come

     After the match has ended the Club provide a bus service to take away fans back to Swansea Railway Station. Shown with the destination 'Town Centre' it costs £1.50 per person.

Today's Visitors                BOURNEMOUTH before this game were in twelfth place in the league table seven points clear of the relegation places and twelve points short of the battle for Europe next season.  Now in their second season in the Premiership and looking as though they intend to stay.  It's the second time I've seen manager Eddie Howe take the reins since I started my continuation of ground hopping in 2012, then he was manager of Burnley who I saw play at Pride Park and the Clarets run out 2-1 winners thanks to two Charlie Austin goals one in each half.  Players to watch out for if in squad Callum Wilson (top Goal Scorer 5), Nathan Ake, Junior Stanislas, Steve Cook and on loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere are the main men of danger in the Bournemouth squad this season. 

SWANSEA CITY ... 0   BOURNEMOUTH ... 3

     Another well drilled performance from Bournemouth saw them always in control of this game with Eddie Howe at the reins it seemed a formality from the start for as in contrast Swansea look resigned to their fate on and off the pitch suffering from bad management, lack of and bad investment into the club.  They remind me of Aston Villa last season and look as though they will suffer the same consequences, in dire need of good leadership as the Villa have now acquired this may sound crazy but Swansea need to be relegated to rebuild their squad and as a result be reborn into the team they were a couple of seasons ago.

     Two first half strikes for Bournemouth the first coming in the 25th minute when a poor defensive error by Jordi Amat saw Lukasz Fabianski make a fine reflex save but Benik Afobe was there to turn in the rebound and mark his return to the starting eleven with a simple goal.

     The next came in injury time when the impressive Jack Wilshere played a fine ball through to Junior Stanislas who was one on one with Fabianski but squared the ball across to Ryan fraser who had the easy task of slotting the ball into an empty net from the six yard box.

     After the break Bournemouth looked to keep what they had although Swansea did make chances but lacked that killer punch in front of goal.

     In the 88th minute while pushing to get back into the game the Swans left themselves open to the counter attack and a Charlie Daniels pass saw substitute Josh King race through to slot home the final nail in the Swansea coffin leaving the Swans to start the new year bottom of the table 4 points from safety.   

                          MATCH DETAILS

VENUE #82 ROCHDALE Crown Oil Arena, Spotland

SKY BET LEAGUE ONE

Saturday 10th December 2016

Crown Oil Arena
Spotland, Rochdale

Ground Capacity:-   10,249

Kick Off:-  15:00

Entry Fee:-  £22  

Programme:-  £3.00

Venue #82

     After some consideration I found this to be the best way to travel to the Crown Oil Arena.  Catch the train to Manchester Piccadilly station and from there get the Metrolink tram to Bury changing at Victoria for Rochdale.  The  journey takes about a hour.  After alighting at Rochdale Interchange turn right along Smith street toward the town centre and go straight across the first island onto the South parade.  Continue straight across the next island onto the Esplanade with the police station on your right.  Cross over the main Manchester road (A58) junction onto Dane street then carry on up until you come to a fork and bear right along Mellor street (A6060), follow this road to the end and bear left onto Spotland road which soon becomes Endenfield road (A680) you will see a big church on your left hand side and a left hand turning going up a slight incline turn onto this road (Willbutts Lane) for a couple of hundred yards and the ground is on your left hand side.

     Spotland has been home to Rochdale A.F.C for 96 years and is owned jointly by the club, Rochdale council and Rochdale Hornets rugby league club who have played home matches there since 1988.  The stadiums biggest gate was on the 10th December 1949 sixty seven years ago to the day a second round F.A. cup tie against Notts County and the crowd was registered as 24,231, County went on to play Plymouth Argyle in the third round after beating Dale 2-1.


     Today's visitors:  SCUNTHORPE UNITED  prior to this game are top of the league one table four points clear of second place Bolton and a further ten points above today's opponents Rochdale.  The Iron are looking for an automatic return to the Championship after a six year absence and with players like Josh Morris who's scored 15 goals this campaign 14 of them in league one not bad for a defender and Kevin Van Veen the Dutch striker has scored 9 goals in 19 matches this season, who would bet against them.
     Scunthorpe have never been in the English top flight and have predominantly fluctuated between the lower two leagues but once more the Iron are determined to punch above their weight in the second tier lets hope they can rise above the challenge and succeed this time round. 
      

 

   

                                                          Co-operative Stand

     This stand is the main stand at Crown Oil Arena it is single tiered, fully covered and all seated and runs down the one side of the pitch.  There are a number of supporting pillars and executive boxes at the rear of this stand.  It has a housing estate behind it (Mons Avenue) and houses the club shop and ticket offices near the entrance.

Westrose Leisure Stand

     Better known as the Willbutts Lane stand after the road behind it runs on the opposite side to the Main stand it is also single tiered, fully covered and all seated holding just over 3,500 spectators.  Away fans are allocated one half of the stand nearing the Sandy Lane side but for larger fan based opposition the whole of the stand will be used to hold visiting fans.

T.D.S. Stand

     Also better known by the street running behind the Pearl Street End is as the other two stands and positioned at the end to the right looking from the Main stand and serves as the family enclosure.  This stand has a couple of supporting pillars at the front.

Thwaites Beer Stand

     The Sandy Lane End is the only terracing left at Spotland but is fully covered.  It is a bit on the small side but holds a great atmosphere when the home fans are in voice which is more times than not apparently.

ROCHDALE ... 3   SCUNTHORPE ... 2

     Must say that Spotland is one of those places that you visit and when you go home just glad that you never have to go there again.  It was a horrible day which I poorly planned and ended up costing me a lot of money but I have no one else to blame but myself for that one.  Going to Manchester at this time of year to watch a game isn't the best of ideas, I shall have to remember this for future reference.

     The game started with Rochdale in ascendancy dominating the game in large spells it almost

looked like the league leaders hadn't turned up for this one for most of the match.

     The Dale had the ball in the net half way through the first half by Ian Henderson but the linesman ruled that the attacking midfielder had used a hand.

     It was four minutes before the interval when Rochdale actually made their dominance count when a Joe Bunney cross was side footed home by Joe Thompson.

     Eight minutes into the second half and the Dale doubled their lead when Oliver Rathbone stretched out his leg and toe poked the ball past Luke Daniels in the Scunthorpe goal when it seemed like the keeper would clean up the Dale attack.

     A wise substitution in the 60th minute by Keith Hill bringing on Calvin Andrew for Steve Davies.  Andrew back from suspension was put clear on the counter attack by a fine ball from Henderson in the 75th minute, Andrew's shot was deflected up and over the keeper finding the                                                                                                                 back of the Scunthorpe net for a third                                                                                                 time.

     With ten minutes of normal time remaining and the home crowd looking forward to the end of a fine game and victory Scunthorpe suddenly came to life when substitute Tom Hopper who came on for Van Veen in the 71st minute put the ball in the Rochdale net from close range then four minutes later a Josh Morris free kick was side footed home past Logan to set up a real nervy finish for the home faithful.

     But Andrew's goal was enough to seal the three points for Rochdale and a much deserved victory it was out classing the visitors for the majority of the 90 minutes if Scunthorpe had of nicked anything from this match it would have been a total miss justice.

     And so a perfect end to a perfect day NOT for as I started my journey back home the heavens

opened and I was getting soaked and to top it all I turned up Willbuts lane to make my way to Rochdale town centre only to be confronted by a mass of Scunthorpe fans retreating from a barrage of Greater Manchester Bobbies.  The Scunthorpe fans had left the ground early to try and cause trouble with the Rochdale fans in the T.D.S stand and missing their sides comeback toward the end of the game.

     Yet again I've encountered a ground that's in very close proximity  of a graveyard which makes me think is this intentional so that away fans haven't far to travel to their last resting place for in the case of a day visiting Spotland or the Crown Oil Arena as it's known these days their place lies just across the Sandy lane road.

MATCH DETAILS

   

VENUE #81 TRANMERE ROVERS Prenton Park

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

Saturday 26th November 2016

Prenton Park, Birkenhead

Ground Capaity:-  16,587

Kick Off:-  15:00

Entry Fee:-  

Programme:-  

Venue #81

     Using my usual mode of travel the train I found that Rock Ferry station was the nearer to the ground so this is where I alighted.  This station is about 20 minutes away from Prenton park by foot and this I believe is the best way to achieve my destination.  As you leave the station turn right along Bedford road and keep straight up this road for some distance crossing the B5149 junction until you come to an island then turn right again onto Bebington road and continue till you reach a elongated island, keep on straight across until you reach the Sportsman pub on the left hand side and turn left onto Prenton road and the ground is a few hundred yards up this road on the left hand side.
     Today was bitterly cold with a freezing fog descending and making it very difficult to see long distances in certain places but the sun managed to brake through in Birkenhead and make this game playable which was a relief for myself as it meant that I didn't have to make this journey again later on in the season.

     Prenton park was purposely built in 1912 to re-house Rovers when their previous ground occupied land that was needed for housing and a new school.

     The stadium has seen many changes in the years since then mainly due to decay and legislation.  The Main stand was erected in 1968 at a cost of £80,000 with the Tranmere suit being added 20 years later with further bars and executive suits.  The Paddock and cowshed terracing was concreted at the end of the 70's but in the light of the Bradford City Valley Parade tragedy in 1985 health and safety legislation meant that the capacity of Prenton Park was cut from 18,000 to 8,000.

     The biggest change of all came in the 1994-95 season when the Taylor report suggested that the top two English divisions should not allow standing spectators and so the club re-developed the remaining three sides of the stadium, Borough road, the New Kop and the Cowshed became all seated accommodation at a cost of just over £3 million and leaves the ground as we find it today with a new capacity of 16 and a half thousand.


     Today's Visitors:  TORQUAY UNITED  before this game were 16th in the league table and only 5 points away from the bottom 4.  The Gulls are still suffering with financial difficulties which took another blow last year with the departure of lottery winning owner Thea Bristow.  Relegated from league 2 two seasons ago Torquay are finding it hard to settle in to the National league let alone make an impact on promotion back into the football league.  I have seen the Gulls play at least a couple of times at Walsall's old Fellows Park ground, they've always been a part of the football league as far as I'm concerned and would be a shame to see their decline continue any further. 

The Main Stand

     The main stand is the oldest part of the inertia of Prenton park, two tiered fully seated and covered holding almost 6,000 people the stand is split up into 3 sections, the lower tier better known as Bebington End paddock has a capacity of 1,150 and the Town End paddock which holds 1,209.  Either side of the half way line the upper tier is simply known as the Main stand and holds 3,598 spectators.  This stand houses a VIP area, Directors box, the Tranmere suit, Dixie Dean suit, the Bunny Bell bar and the Dave Russell restaurant.  This structure is showing it's age and is getting more and more expensive to maintain.  there are a couple of supporting pillars which, if unfortunately placed, will restrict your view.  Ticket purchases and collections and club shop are situated near the entrances to this stand.

The John King stand

     Built 20 years ago and formally known as the Borough Road stand this stand was renamed in 2002 in recognition of Tranmere's former manger John King who died in March this year.  Runs alongside the Borough Road on the opposite side of the pitch to the Main stand.  It is a small low-rise stand fully covered and seated which holds 2,414 spectators.

The Kop

     The Bebington kop is a large single tiered all seated and fully covered stand which dwarfs the rest of the stands at Prenton Park it holds 5,696 people which is less than the combined total of the Main stand although it looks a lot bigger.  This stand replaced terracing which was also known as the kop and used to house both home and away supporters partitioned down the middle but since the year 2000 has been prominently home support only

The Cowshed

     This is a single tiered all seated and fully covered stand holding 2,500 spectators with a peculiar look to it as one side as more seats than the other giving a slanted effect due to the fact it was built to coincide with Prenton Road West which runs behind it.  This stand now holds away fans since the Kop was given back to the home faithful at the start of the millennium.  

TRANMERE ... 2   TORQUAY ... 1

     Before this game kicked off you would have put money on Tranmere being the victors with them holding fifth place in the table were as their opponents Torquay are in the lower regions of the league battling to keep clear of the relegation zone.

     Both teams started brightly with quick one touch football and using every inch of the pitch it was quite pleasant to watch and it didn't take long before the first goal arrived.  twelve minutes on the clock and Andy Mangan received the ball from the left in the centre of the Torquay penalty area and slotted the ball passed keeper Brendan Moore for the first goal.

   Both sides had chances further into the half Kieffer Moore for Torquay heading into the side netting and Mangan for Rovers was clean through but scuffed his shot wide of the goal.  Just before half time Ben Tollitt fired a shot which was well saved by Moore and left the half time score line as Tranmere ... 1   Torquay ... 0.

     In the second minute of the second half the home team doubled their lead when that man Mangan who received the ball from  Andy Cook on the right hand side of the penalty area and smashed the ball into the net through the keepers legs.

     After that it was all Tranmere Torquay's fete seamed sealed and in the 56th minute Ritchie Sutton almost made it three smashing the ball against the visitors crossbar and you just couldn't see Torquay getting back into this game.

     In the 63rd minute Andy Mangan went off to applause from the home faithful a sign of we'll keep what we've got from manager Micky Mellon but 2 minutes later he may have wished he'd kept the striker on the pitch as the ball was pumped high into the Tranmere penalty area and Lee Vaughan instead of putting the ball into row z tried to turn the ball away from goal going back from where he came but run smack bang into Daniel Sparkes who took the ball off the defender and slotted it into the back of the net.

     Three minutes from time Lee vaughan was brought down in the Torquay penalty area and the ref pointed to the spot.  Andy Cook stepped up to take the penalty but fired wide of the goal.  This led to a nervy finish for the home side but they managed to hold on to the three points.  Not as cut and dried as one thought prior to the game.

                     MATCH DETAILS

VENUE #80 BRENTFORD Griffin Park

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday 22nd October 2016

Griffin Park, Brentford

Ground Capacity:-  12,763

Kick Off:-  15:00

Entry Fee:-  £28

Programme:-  £5  

VENUE #80

     Just a five minute walk from Brentford station to Griffin Park.  As you exit Brentford station turn left onto Boston Manor Road and continue until you reach Windmill Road and turn left again. Follow the road round and take the second turning on the right onto Hamilton Road and at the bottom of the road you'll come to a junction Brook Road South, take a right and the road curves past the football which is on the left hand side.  You can enter the ground on New Road which is opposite Hamilton road across the Brook Road South junction.

     Griffin Park was built in 1904 on the site of an orchard which was owned by Fuller's brewery.  The name Griffin comes from the logo of the said brewery who probably supplied the beer to the four pubs situated on each corner of the ground.  As most London football grounds Griffin Park is situated in a residential area encased in houses, flats and of course the two pubs the Royal Oak and of course the Griffin.
     The first game played at the park was a Western league fixture against Plymouth Argyle which ended in a one all draw and was played to a crowd of between 4 and 5 thousand people.
     During the second world war the ground was hit twice by high explosive bombs in 1940 and 41, six matches had to be postponed or abandoned during the blitz.
     Disaster struck in 1983 also when faulty wiring led to a fire breaking out in the Braemer Road stand which caused £150.000 worth of damage to seats, away dressing room, kit store and laundry all went up in smoke as the fire teared through the timber construction.  The players entrance tunnel was moved from the centre to the far western corner of the Braemer road stand in the redevelopment of the stand. 


                                                Today's visitors BARNSLEY:  The Tykes featured in the very first football game I ever saw, it was at Walsall's old Fellows Park ground in the mid sixties where the Saddlers destroyed the team from South Yorkshire 5-0.  The Tykes turned the five goal deficit around at the end of last season when the two teams met in the play-off semi final and Barnsley emerged triumphant beating Walsall 6-1 over the two home and away legs.  The Tykes went on to beat Millwall 3-1 in the final at Wembley and now play in the Championship as their reward.  Barnsley lie in 15th place before this game seven places below their opponents today Brentford but a win would see them level on 19 points with the Bees.

   Braemer Road Stand

     A two tiered all seated stand with the lower tier known as the paddock.  Housed within this stand are the supporters club, dressing rooms and club offices.  Up until recently the dug outs used to be at the front of this stand  This stand has a very low roof which may restrict viewing from the back with supporting pillars which will hamper your view pending on position of seat.

New Road Stand

     A single tiered all seated stand which is also known as the Bill Axbey stand named as a tribute to a long standing supporter who died in 2007.  Previously a terrace and was converted into a stand in the summer of 1996 but still has supporting pillars running across the front.  This stand now houses the dug outs taking over from the Braemer stand.  TV broadcasts are shot from here with the gantry suspended from the roof of the stand.

Ealing Road Terrace

     A single tiered terrace which was previously uncovered with planning permission for a roof being turned down in 2004 but was reviewed and accepted and the roof was constructed three years later.

Brook Road Stand

     A two tiered stand with seating in the upper tier and terracing in the lower.  Built to replace the Royal Oak stand in the mid 80's and because of it's peculiar look has been dobbed the nickname "the wendy house".  This stand has been allocated to away supporters.

BRENTFORD ... 0   BARNSLEY ... 2

     Brentford's 4,000th league game celebrations were tarnished as Barnsley came to spoil the party. A goal each half made the Tykes worthy winners of this contest and puts them on equal points with the Bees in the league table.

     The Bees started brightly and had large spells of the first half camped inside the Tykes half of the field forcing corner after corner but the quality of the balls pumped into the Barnsley box was poor and bread and butter for the South Yorkshire men to gobble up.  Shots at goal were either skyed over the bar or hit straight at the keeper, it has to be said that Brentford's play in the final third was bordering abysmal.

     In the 29th minute the Bees paid for their inadequacy up front when Barnsley took the lead a headed clearance from Yoann Barbet went straight to Adam Armstrong who put the ball into the net via his shin.

     The goal stowed confidence into the Barnsley side who started to believe they could win this game and finished the half on a high.  It was obvious that the Bees manager Dean Smith had to change things if his side were to get back into this game and at half time he does just that bringing on Josh Clarke for Sam Saunders who was having a poor game.

     When the teams came out for the final 45 Barnsley went straight into their warm up routine while Brentford looked as though they wished they were going into the shower and off home but as the half got on the way the Bees once again started the brighter but seemed to tire as the Tykes pressed high up the pitch and had a couple of chances to extend their lead before they finally did in the 67th minute, a one two between Ryan Kent and Armstrong saw the latter canon the ball off the post and straight into the path of Sam Winnall who riffled home from close range.

     Barnsley fans grew even noisier in the wendy house while the home faithful grew more and more frustrated.  Some fans sitting next to me were shouting "F" off back to Walsall which made me wonder how they knew that I was from Walsall and why were they blaming me for this poor performance and then I realised their comments were aimed at their manager Dean Smith who Brentford acquired off the Saddlers last season and by the sounds of things want to send him back special delivery packaged and stamped.

     Home fans perked up a little when Smith brought on Philipp Hofmann for Romaine Sawyers who I must say resembled a cart horse up front for Brentford but the new man also had poor service from the wide men and was unable to make an impact on the Barnsley goal.

     Appeals for a penalty went on death ears when Nico Yennaris was pulled to the ground in the Barnsley penalty area and the ex Arsenal midfielder had a shot well saved by Adam Davies in the Barnsley goal at the death.  Final score 0-2 a fair result.

                            MATCH DETAILS