After the disappointment of our opening day defeat at Darlington many Grimbarians thought that the miniscule town of Rushden could be the scene for Towns first away victory of the season.
Last weeks impressive second half performance against Boston and comprehensive 5-1 thumping of Bury meant premature talk of promotion amongst the optimistic town faithful was inevitable.
On a bright August morn around 50 easily excitable town fans set off on a trip to rural Northamptonshire, in search of nothing but three points- oh and perhaps a nice pub just outside the ground too. This season, the supporter’s club members have been given a treat, for some reason the coach has been upgraded to a very sw**ky one. Fans now can sample the delights of soft seats, pull-down blinds, air conditioning and a working radio just for a couple of extra quid a game-wonderful!
In a trip that lasted longer than anybody could fathom we eventually arrived at the services just outside Peterborough at around 1pm. Unfortunately for my mate Carl the 20 minute toilet stop proved a little too short after what must have been a good Friday night out in Cleethorpes. Luckily I was able to prevent the driver from leaving without him by explaining his current stomach problem. When he eventually ambled on to the impatient Coach, we were away.
The final leg of the journey went fairly quickly, entertainment of the highest order! There was talk of mutiny at the back of the bus over the banning of smoking, various impressions of characters from Bo’ Selecta and what looked like mini wrestling matches on the back seats. So, an average coach trip really.
We arrived in Rushden just before 2pm and let me tell you, it is exactly how people describe it. There is literally nothing in the place apart from a main road that leads from Nene Park, past the Dr Marten’s Shoe Warehouse, through to the rest of the town that appears on a hillside in the distance. Rural with a capital ?R’!
With about an hour until Kick-Off priorities now became quenching thirsts and filling rumbling bellies. The Snack Bar inside the away end was impressive. For once a ground that sells decent grub. The pies must have been good; they were sold out before Kick-Off! Well, It’s hungry work all this travelling lark!
Rushden’s ground looked a bit like a modern version of Glanford Park-with a nice away end. I don’t think many Rushden fans would argue if I said that the size of it is about right for the club. I think tightly compact is the nice way of describing it.
Town started the game much the brighter team and controlled the first half completely. Despite long periods of pressure The Mariners just couldn’t find that final ball we desperately needed. Decent efforts from Gordon, Crowe, Reddy and Sestanovich all came close in a frustrating first half. A similar pattern continued at the start of the second half when Reddy and Crowe again came close to giving Town what would have been a deserved lead. Then just like the Darlington game, Rushden scored with what seemed to be their first attempt on goal. Young striker Braniff appeared unmarked to slot home from 10 yards after some unconvincing defending by Town. Rushden then began to play for the first time in the match, creating a couple of decent chances they perhaps should have made count. Michael Reddy almost rescued Town a point at the death when his well timed header forced the impressive Turley into a fine save, diving to his left – it wasn’t our day.
Throughout the game the Town fans were in good voice and were somewhat putting the Home fans to shame. However by the final whistle a sense of disbelief had gagged the supporters-how could we loose like this again?
The coach ride home was quiet and fairly depressing- over the past few seasons this has become a well-rehearsed routine amongst the regular travellers. The lack of conversation was accompanied by the annoying hum of a badly tuned-in Radio Five; it seemed to take a lot longer coming home!
August 2004
