1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

Despite hailing from Blackpool, I used to live in Liverpool and used to attend Goodison with my Dad when he was alive. Naturally, with my beloved Seasiders getting to the fifth round of the cup for the first time in over twenty years and with it being not far to travel, I was well up for this as were 7,000 other Blackpool fans.

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

I had been to Goodison before as a youngster so the journey was very easy. Train from Poulton le Fylde to Lime Street and even had time to visit my sister who lives a couple of miles away from Goodison! Taxi to ground. A word of advice. Parking is not all that easy as Liverpool City Council issue residents permits around the stadium (and at Anfield) and you may have to park some way away.  Best to come by train, as there are many buses that go near Goodison from the city centre, or by coach.
 
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Went and had a drink in the Winslow which, although a Blue pub, is very welcoming of opposing supporters. Excellent banter between Blues and Seasiders and had a bite to eat at a burger van outside the Park End.  There are plenty of pubs around Goodison and you can even show your colours in some. The only ones possibly to avoid are The Red Brick and The Royal Oak which are solidly Blue.

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

I'd been to Goodison before and it is one of my favourite grounds and with 7,000 Seasiders in attendance, we were given most of the Bullens Road. A bit disappointed as my seat was behind a pillar but you have to remember Goodison is an old ground.

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

Less said about the game the better! I really fancied our chances as we were yet to lose in 2012 and Everton had been inconsistent.  However, with the West Ham game to follow, Ian Holloway rang the changes and we found ourselves 2-0 down after six minutes.  We had a late penalty which Kevin Phillips missed but I thought the Everton fans were quiet considering it was a Cup Tie against fairly localish opposition. Most of the atmosphere was created by us in tangerine. Stewarding was very good, one guy even asked me out on a date! Bit of a crush on for beer and pies at half time but managed to get a Scouse Pie which is absolutely delicious!

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

Very easy. Walked down to County Road and got a bus to Lime Street. Was back home by 7pm.  However, if you are driving, please allow time to get away as the roads can become congested.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

I loved it despite the result. Illness had prevented me from going to Goodison when we were in the Premier League so I was not going to miss this. Goodison really is a fantastic stadium but the Everton fans could do with singing a bit more because if they did, Goodison would be a fearsome place to go for opposition teams.