RG30 Left West Reading just after 9am with hanbags_harris and Compo's Hat and decided to go M4 then A34 route. Probably 45 minutes - an hour later later we hadn't reached Didcot so decided to catch the train. A train from Didcot to Oxford proved easy enough before we endured a 45 minute wait at Oxford which meant we didn't leave until 12:20. Train arrived into Birmingham New Street around 1:45pm, but more delays meant our Glasgow bound train didn't leave on time so we got a slower train which got us into Derby around 2:58. Fortunately for us, a guy (and a Derby fan) in the carriage heard about our day and said he would give us a lift straight to the ground so thanks Richard and in the end we only missed the first two or three minutes
Game itself was fairly even, we had our fair share of chances as did Derby. Feds was in outstanding form and clearly MOTM. Long led the line really well and his 2nd was was a welcome sight. As bad was Bywater was trying to go for a ball he wasn't going to make, Long done excellently to head home. Good displays from Harte, Legiertwood so delighted with the win after all the effort.
As for the journey back, there was a direct train from Derby to Reading about 17:50 which decided to stop running at Birmingham New Street which was
Considering I was so under the weather and have been since Wednesday I would seriously consider doing that again - but I'd probably still do it anyway. 8.45am leaving Shinfield, irresponsibly over the limit after a skinful of Ringwood Brewery's Fortyniner the night before. Compo's Hat and RG30 picked up, 20mph down the A4 to J12, onto the motorway and a steady 40 in the outside lane. A34 was slower, and slowing, and my wipers were starting to freeze so not clearing the screen. Slow speed coupled with annoying wipers coupled with ever intensifying snowfall and I made the suggestion of catching the train. Kudos to RG30 and Compo for paying the day's parking fare - £4.10. We aimed for the 1055 I believe, but just missed it, so jumped on a train at 1120, got into Oxford ready for our connection 20 or so minutes later. 1230 came around and finally a heavily delayed Manchester Piccadilly train arrived - the choice was that one to Birmingham NS, or two Newcastle trains direct to Derby, one heavily delayed and one only slightly, but we decided to get the Piccadilly train which went the Coventry/Birmingham International route. Happy days however, as a points failure at Leamington meant that we could only go straight on to Warwick, and not turn right up to Coventry. More delays at New Street, eventually jumping on a train at 1425 or so, which got into Derby at 1458. Cracking gesture from the old boy on the train, Richard, who gave us the lift. Out of his motor, running to the away end, got in just in time to see Derby hit the post on three minutes.
Half decent game of football, a clearly rock hard pitch ensured that errors were made. Defensively suspect as ever were Reading, but in attack we were looking very dangerous all game. Federici MOTM by a nose from Long
who could and probably should have had a hat-trick. Derby will cause problems for most teams, they clearly showed why they were top scorers at home and on another day we could have shipped a shedload, but we rode our luck. On the flip side Derby can also consider themselves lucky not to have shipped a hatful as well as we had some glorious opportunities as well, difference was Federici was made to work whereas Bywater was rarely troubled.Journey back - freezing cold. Spent about an hour waiting for a train that went all the way back to Reading (not that I needed to, I needed Oxford), only for it to be hit by delays outside Birmingham NS, and to then be terminated there. Utterly unbelievable decision, as if the train company couldn't inconvenience their already inconvenienced customers and stick to their obligations and provide a full service. More freezing cold on the platforms of New Street with Kebe, Long, Antonio, Khizanishvili and Karacan, Bournemouth train eventually pulled in, First Class upgrade paid for* decimated the carriage toilet with the fruits of the previous night's labour, off at Oxford ready for a quick change to Didcot. Next worry was being able to get out of the car park but the trooper of a motor I own rinsed the slope out
In other words, yesterday, FGW were winners, CrossCountry were utterly woeful though.Knackered factor 20 when I got back. It was worth it though.
