A big fat win

Dancingwilldoit · 22-08-2021, 11:33

First of all a moan about Aldershot. The away end is fu**ing miles from the main entrance up hill and down dale then through a country park. I was knackered by the time I got in. 626 reported town fans with 6 yes 6 portaloos as the only toilet facilities for both male and female. You can imagine the mess. Considering they are an ex league club it was pathetic but hey we won.

The ref was shocking (how many times have I said that in this league?) 4 yellows to us in the first half 3 for blatant diving and 1 deserved. They got away with murder whilst we got away with nothing.

We never looked like conceding in all honesty. Grimes looks a great acquisition and Loach looked a solid pair of hands. Of the other newbies Tshimanga was very quiet but did it when needed in front of goal. He took it well running into the area with a defender either side of him and slotted past the keeper.
King and Miller both looked sharp but once King had his yellow he seemed to hold off with any challenges. Kahn looked lively when he came on for Oyeleke who went off injured, hope its not serious.

Overall we looked well balanced for a change. The first 30 we were a bit quiet but after that we were impressive. Not a great game but entertaining.

Negatives. Aldershot - everything, Weston who gave away too many balls straight to their forwards putting us under pressure and the ref - card happy bastard.
Positives. We won, Its mainly down hill after the initial climb coming out of the ground.

**spireitematt** · 22-08-2021, 18:34

What was it like going to a game? Were there Covid restrictions in place or was it just like it was before Covid?

Chesterfield have announced that 2 blocks in the East Stand are going to be social distanced for fans which are vulnerable or feel anxious.

Dancingwilldoit · 22-08-2021, 19:08

There were no covid restrictions Matt, all as it used to be. I wore a mask in the queue and the loos, at least it kept the smell away. One or two in the ground wore them but in the open I didn't bother.
It was great to see and hear fans at a game again, just a pity it was Aldershot.

Devongone · 22-08-2021, 19:36

Dancing, you should read up about the ground before you go. Lots of fans moan about Aldershot, but it is a long time now since they were in the league and they aren't wealthy. They know the facilities aren't great.

Tshimanga made it into the team of the week in the Non-league Paper. If it is true that Asante is aiming to be back in October we'll look pretty powerful up front. We had Kerr amongst the subs I notice. Kellerman only took 13 minutes to score for Tamworth who won 6-1 and Rowley got an 8 for his performance against Southend.

There are some pretty unwelcoming venues in the EFL as well as out of it, and I don't think referees are ever going to be on your side Dancing. Liked the report though.

Dancingwilldoit · 23-08-2021, 12:00

Dev, when I bought the tickets on line and printed them off at home I was impressed. The ticket had a nice big QR code on it so I thought great it's all electronic.
After queueing up for about 15 mins at one of the 2 turnstiles I realized all was not well. When I finally got there a guy scans my ticket with a bloody mobile phone and can't get a signal. It took 2 or 3 mins just for me. Still in this age of modern technology I suppose it's better than slapping a £20 note on the counter and walking through a turnstile.
Re the loos, how much common sense would it take to realise that there were well over a hundred female fans and let them use the home toilets?
Women were pleading with stewards to let them through a gate to access them but no, orders are orders.
As you know I'm 6'5" and it was a physical impossibility to get my legs and feet between my seat and the one in front. Luckily I was in an end seat and could put my legs in the aisle.
Not surprised that they have cash problems, if they improved their organisation and facilities it might encourage more away fans. For me it's once bitten twice shy.

Devongone · 23-08-2021, 13:21

"Please note that the away turnstiles are located at the opposite end of the ground to the High Street. They are accessed from Redlan Road and are a good ten minute walk uphill from the High Street. As you go past the La Fontaine pub on your right then further up on the left is a pathway (look for the Away Supporters Sign) leading through a small park and then down to the visiting fans entrance. The only access to away supporters permitted via the front entrance is for disabled supporters who now have two dedicated wheelchair bays in the away seats. Please enquire with the club for more information'."

This is just a small bit of the Football Ground Guide. It is pretty comprehensive. I haven't checked but it certainly used to include comments from visiting fans etc. You may be 6'5" but you are getting old. Check it out before you travel is my advice.

Aldershot are trying to get planning permission for a new ground, but I think it is Rushworth Council or something that is the stumbling block. Efficient online ticketing may be easier to get right than staffing and building and maintenance. A shiny online should be easily achieved by every club, but the reason they aren't investing heavily in their team is that they are currently unable to invest heavily in anything. Like many clubs, coming through the pandemic has been the main aim, most of them aren't going to be coming out much better than they went in. I think you might find you have to do a bit of putting up with stuff this season. Not everyone is applying to be City of Culture. Most of them will have noticed they aren't cities for a start.

**spireitematt** · 23-08-2021, 20:55

The toilet situation sounded like what happened to Leyton Orient fans when they went to the first league game away at Salford a few seasons ago where they had 3 portaloo's for 1,500.

Same thing happened to me when I went to Stockport away in 2019, I bought the tickets, printed them off and when I got to EP there was a guy at the turnstile who was scanning each ticket with the QR code on a mobile phone and it seemed to take forever. I reckon clubs will be looking at different ways to get payment into grounds because they will be put off a bit from handling money due to Covid, especially the new monopoly money.

I watched the highlights of the game on Aldershot and to me it looks promising. The 2nd goal by Tshimanga was really well taken, with the right delivery and assists he could easily get 30 goals this season.