There were quite a few London Cardiff on the train heading to Barnsley so we decided against a drink in Sheffield and so it was straight on to the Rhinocerous pub in Rotherham.
We met up with the half dozen or so who had been on the earlier train. Not many Brighton fans about, but then again not many Rotherham.
So after a pint and a bite to eat, time for a quick vists for Ladbrokes so Liz could do her usual bets. The odds I thought were poor, just 6-1 for Promotion and 20-1 to win the league. Liz also did some handicap bet, Brighton get +20 points, no idea how it works but did £5 each way on that one!
Onto the next pub, the hare and hounds, a great little pub and this reminded me of some of the great pubs in unfashionable places, so perhaps this season wont be that bad!
We watched the cricket and had a few more beers and before you knew it it was 2.45 so time to walk to the ground.
I would guess at about 450/500 Albion fans at the match, but as usual we were in good voice.
The starting line up (worked out eventually but us lot - had we had that many beers!) was Henderson, Reid, Mayo, El-Abd, Lynch, Carpenter, Stoke, Hammond, Cox, Hart and Revell. The bench was Kuipers, CKR, Robinson, Lowe and Frutos.
It was a surprising starting XI, but as the referee blew his whistle the old desire and passion for the Albion cam back. We battled well, Cox looked good out on the left, Hammond, Carpenter and Stoke held the ball and dominated the midfield.
Hart and Revell ran hard, Revell held up the ball well and for a big lad looked nimble.
First great song of the day was (in tribute to minature Dean Cox) "We've got tiny Cox we've got tiny Cox we've got tiny we've got tiny we've got Tiny Cox". This confused the fatty taxman who said but his names not Jonny its Dean? Nope we have no idea either!
Suddenly Cox broke free on the left, a peach of a cross, Hammond read it perfectly, beat the keeper to the cross, but somehow glance it wide. Henderson made a good block at the other end.
Half time was approaching and I thought we were the better side so 0-0 would be ok.
Oh how it suddenly changes.
A long ball from El-abd, I think Stokes heads it onto Revell just outside the box, he controls it, turns , looks up and curls the ball round the keeper, great goal.
Revell and Cox come running up to us in the away end, they both hug supporters and both get booked as they return for the kick off.
Cox then hacks down a Rotherham midfielder in the middle of the park, no danger, and its a red card (well second yellow!)
Second half and we sit deep. Revell is off after about 10 minutes to let CKR have a go as a lone striker. He was the one poor display of the day failing to hold the ball up at all, and he was replaced by Robinson in injury time.
Rotherham had 3 great chances, Hammond brilliantly blocked one, they put one over the bar and Lynch who was my MOTM put one out for a corner. Henderson looked solid in goal and we held out for 3 points, well earnt and well deserved.
Henderson - 7 good handling, did all that was needed
Mayo - 7 good distribution and constantly talking with henderson, el-abd and Lynch
Reid - 7 solid match, good tackling and good positioning
El-Ebd - 7 solid display
Lynch - 9 great display, greta athlete, great tackling
Carpenter - 7 looked comfortable
Hammond - 7 ran hard and good defending
Cox - 7 great 43 minutes, hopefully will learn from the 2 yellow cards
Stokes - 6 looked OK, worked hard, nothing spectacular
Revell - 8 good 50 minutes and what a cracking goal
Hart - 6 battled as ever
CKR - 4 needed to hold the ball up to help the team, didnt do it
Robinson - only on for 1 or 2 minutes