Away Day Diary: Aldershot Town 2-0 Maidenhead United (02/11/19)

Although not a huge rugby fan, I wasn't going to miss the World Cup final; it seemed that neither England nor Maidenhead United would get much better chances of ending their respective droughts (16 years since Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal in Sydney; 22 since Chuk Agudosi's legendary celebration in front of the East Bank)

Less said the better regarding the early morning weather, leading to us eschewing a walk into town - our preferred option - and booking a taxi; however, come pick-up time, the torrential rain had stopped, and the skies had brightened considerably

Disrupted service due to high winds delayed the 12:04 from Reading, and we were sat on the train - with a load of Oxford United fans - awaiting its late departure when an announcement came through that a long list of scheduled stops had been scrapped, including Ash; instead, we had to get the 12:32 to Gatwick Airport, alight at North Camp, and hotfoot it to Ash Vale

Everyone - including Paul (Macleod [M]'s neighbour), Mr Logic, and Dav 'the St Johnstone fan' - was extremely pleased with my choice of a pub; indeed, Ian and Mark, Shots season ticket holders from Fleet, reckoned that the Garden Gate will now become their regular pre-game haunt

Robust breeze at our backs as we attacked the East Bank in the first half; thoroughly disappointing, therefore, that - aside from one miraculous headed clearance from underneath the crossbar - we barely troubled their keeper

Some decent saves from Chris Dunn, but otherwise, he was at fault for both goals (fumbling the ball over the line; beaten at his near post); overall, it was a poor performance from the Magpies against a side hitherto bereft of confidence

Happy birthday (today) to CJ - Aldershot resident; long-time friend and colleague of mine; Luton Town fan - who would join us in the Crimea (crap beer)

Other post-match pub stops: the Trafalgar Inn (OK; not as good as I'd remembered), the Queen Hotel (photo with Fijian members of the British Army Rugby League team), and back to the Garden Gate (change of beers from the afternoon; equally good)

The old adage - 'a good day out tainted by 90 minutes of football' - was mentioned more than once on the journey home; we'll have to improve - significantly - to give Rotherham a game in front of the Football Focus cameras next Saturday

(BBC report; match highlights)

@Magpie1870 Found it. https://t.co/z9Anzzy4R2

— ɢᴏ ᴍᴀᴅ ᴏʀ sᴛᴏᴘ ᴄᴀʀɪɴɢ (@gomadstopcaring) 3 November 2019