We were moving nicely along the M25 when a car pulled level and started waving at us and pointing to the rear of the car. We pulled over discovered a flat back wheel!
In true formula one style Richard had the jack out, the spare wheel out, the car up in the air (rocked nicely by the fast moving lorries and cars) and within a matter of minutes the spare was on. I ably assisted by holding all the nuts and bolts flying around!
We were soon on our way and after a quick stop for a bite to eat we were parked up outside the Saltergate Social club at about 6.20. We ventured round to the Chesterfield Arms and we bumped into the Jack Straw rabble and had a couple of pints.
At 7.35 we left the pub and joined the queue to the away seats. They had not opened the terrace as only expecting 100 to 150 of us to turn up. We paid up and joined the hundreds already packed into the seats in the corner of the old wooden stand.
We ended up in the back row as most other seats taken and the roof and pillars obscured the view nicely. The stewards reacted to complaints and at half time opened up the terrace behind the goal which meant those of us that wanted to stay in the seats could move forward and see the pitch.
The radio said we had 491 at the match, a superb effort for a long midweek trip, especially after a long trip on Saturday. As usual the team got its vocal backing and the first 45 minutes saw us defending the empty away terrace, and Cullip and Butters were brilliant in defending against a very very strong wind.
Chesterfield resorted to wayward long shots and over hit through balls. 0-0 was a fair reflection as neither team could master the conditions. Roberts was very lucky to still be in the pitch as at one stage he came out to head away a long rare dangerous through ball and punched it out for a throw in.
He was a good 3 foot outside the box, but the Referee gave a throw in (I think he thought Roberts headed the ball out!) .
Second half and it was a different story. We took advantage of the wind and pushed Chesterfield back at every opportunity. Just 4 minutes in and Jones swings in a corner and Butters nods in the first goal.
Soon after that Jones swung in a corner and the ball hit the far post. We were really on top, but Chesterfield had the occasional quick break. Next Butters hit the bar from another great corner, but we just couldn't get the vital second goal.
Chesterfield finally got there game together and put some pressure on us. Roberts held a couple of good shots and then out the blue, Iwelumo get the ball about 30 yards out, turns and smacks the ball into the top corner. He came over to celebrate with the Albion fans on the terrace.
Roberts still had to make another couple of saves, one superb as he blocked a shot with the player clean through. The final whistle was greeted with great celebration with every player applauding the travelling seagulls.
Roberts - 8 some vital stops
Virgo - 8 great match, both attacking and defensive
Harding - 8 as above, some great crunching tackles as well
Cullip - 8 captain at his best
Butters - 9 brilliant match, and a great goal
Carpenter - 7 battled hard
Oatway - 7 as above
Hart - 7 as above
Iwelumo - 8 held the ball up well, looks more mobile the TB, and what a goal
Knight - 7 battled well, and stood up to some physical challenges Jones - 8 took advantage of the wind to put pressure on Chesterfield time and time again
I don't recall a sub coming on
Mark R