Maine Road FC

 Easter Bank Holiday Monday saw me travel to Manchester and Maine Road Fc vs Droylsden. Maine Road had been on my to do list for a long time and the need to get there only heightened by the fact they are rooted to the bottom of the Nwcfl division one north and staring amateur football in the face. The ground is really basic, they've not even got any sponsorship boards around the railings and it all had the feel of a club struggling off the pitch as well as on it. Like so many places, new houses have been built right upto the perimeter fence of the ground which makes me wonder how safe the ground is. I wish them well going forward though however that may be. With today's opponents fighting for the title and also being local there was an excellent crowd of 310 in attendance to at least boost the Maine Road coffers in the short term. I was also amazed to acquire a pin badge for £4 on the gate, I've been frantically scouring ebay for one with no hope of getting one at the game but they proved me wrong, well done Maine Road.


I started the day at the excellent rowntree cafe in Manchester for a veggie breakfast and cup of tea, then after a while it was a bus to the ground as the trams were stopped due to engineering works. Never fear though, with it being the bus route to the airport there are plenty to choose from. It was about a 20 minute journey then a 10 minute walk to the ground. I was the first in and had a bit of a natter with the turnstile operator before taking my spot for the game. I had a lamb sandwich left over from easter dinner in my bag so I'd no need to look for food in the ground. I'd been told they had a cafe but all I saw was a tibetan kitchen van which didn't appeal to me at all so I was glad I had the sandwich. The cafe was possibly in the building that housed the dressing rooms,although I didn't actually see anyone at the game with any food. It was a glorious day and all set for a game both teams needed to win. 


The game started and Droylsden were showing their class, despite a Maine Road fan next to me telling his companion how bad Droylsden were. All about opinions I suppose but to me they were big, strong and showed good passing and awareness. The first goal came from a good bit of skill from the winger who cut the ball back for an emphatic finish. The second was scruffy, a tap in more or less on the line, 2-0 at the break. The second half started and the exciting Droylsden winger got sent off for a high tackle, rightly so in my opinion but it didn't stop Dave Pace berating the officials at full time. Droylsden weren't deterred though and continued to dominate, a third coming very similar to the second goal, a fourth was added with a excellent run and finish from the winger on the opposite side of the pitch. That was how the game finished, Maine Road huffed and puffed but lacked any real quality and didn't create much at all bar a glaring miss from the number 9 in the first half. Their captain at number 2 tried to stir a reaction but to no effect.


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