One of five new grounds for me in the Conference this season so always good to go somewhere new.  Having heard of all the Man City branding I was a bit worried it would all seem very artificial though.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Drove up, bit of a marathon as motorway was blocked so took Snake Pass route – very scenic mind!  Stayed at hotel two miles away and got taxis to and from the ground.  Parking looked adequate though.  Ground easy to find by following signs to the Leisure Centre.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Went in a couple of CAMRA recommended pubs, the Queens Inn and Sportsman, both very friendly, away fans chatted away with no problems.  Sportsman has a good chip shop almost next door.  Went in pub after the game and atmosphere was again good.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?

Going in was unusual as rather than turnstiles there was just a table and a gate to walk through -= all very informal!  We were along one side rather than at the end where away fans normally go.  The Man City branding was a bit strange but the stands all looked neat and for a club who have never been as high as Step 1 before it was quite an impressive little ground with plenty of covered terracing on all four sides and a neat little Main Stand.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

It wasn’t the best of games but it was good to come back and win having gone a goal down and possibly staring defeat to yet another team we have never played before - we’ve made a habit of this since going non-league!  The atmosphere was good, the Hyde fans opposite made a lot of noise and so did we as we got back into the game.  Being as it was moved to a Friday for TV we didn’t take as many as we might have done.  Facilities generally good, food looked OK but I’d already eaten.  Stewards very friendly, I was chatting away to one who bemoaned the Man City link and said since that happened he had stopped going as a fan as it all seemed wrong to him.  He said it was great seeing so many away fans and couldn’t wait till the local derby against Stockport!  He also said he was glad our away kit was blue as that meant the team could play in red!

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Walked back to Sportsman and all was quiet and friendly.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

Good day/night all round!