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1. Why you were looking forward
to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
It was a new
ground to tick off, plus it was two teams who were both battling at
the top end of League Two, and with hopes of promotion this
season. I knew there would be a decent following and a certain record
crowd at this stadium.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the
ground/car parking?
I went on a supporters coach. There was a
slight delay due to traffic getting into Chesterfield, and although
supporters arrived early, the team coach was late and this resulted in a
delayed kick off.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy....
home fans friendly?
We wondered around the ground and
checking out a nearby newly built Tesco's which was very large
in size and built upon stilts so that a car park fits underneath
the supermarket. After finding that the cafe inside the Tesco was full and
that there would be a wait to get served we left and went to a Kentucky
fried chicken instead which also looks as if its newly built. There were
also a couple of pubs nearby but they were very busy as you would
expect.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions
of away end then other sides of the ground?
It was
neat similar Shrewsbury's Greenhous Meadow but more compact
with a curved roof running the two stands that run the length of the
pitch. The ground looks height wise structurally smaller than Greenhous
Meadow but it apparently holds 400 more capacity wise. This is possibly
because it has 2 exits on each end compared to Shrewsbury's 3 plus
at Shrewsbury there is a large police control box at one
end.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies,
toilets etc..
The game was a totally bizarre fort he first 30
minutes Shrewsbury seemed in control of what was an entertaining attacking
game with not too many shots at goal then Chesterfield scored and with a
blink of and eye were 3-0 up at half time. That goal brought the crowd to
life and the home fans really belted out some noise.
The
second half was again entertaining with Shrewsbury's Mark Wright missing
an open goal before Chesterfield's Craig Davies killing the game off
making it 4-0. Game over? BEWARE! Not quite and some not nice scenes
followed, for some unknown reason some Chesterfield fans got onto the
pitch goading the away fans which was uncalled for. The stewards and
Police did not seem prepared for what was going on and some unpleasant
scenes followed in the one corner on the ground resulting with several
people ejected.
With 10 minutes to go Shrewsbury pulled one back
then another two the ninety minutes were up leading to some frantic added
time but Chesterfield hang on.
6. Comment on getting away from the
ground after the game:
There were problems outside the ground
whilst heading back to bus, this could of easily been avoided by police
preventing home fans walking around to the away end. I imagine a larger
following from some of there more local rivals could cause some serious
disorder if this is allowed happen. Whilst aboard the coach there were no
problems getting away.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day
out:
Good
entertaining game, good atmosphere but a bit highly charged, exercise
caution when leaving the ground.
Final score: Chesterfield 4-3
Shrewsbury Town
Attendance: 7,777 (666
away) |
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