Another new year and another hangover. A few mates and I headed to a pub in Balham for food and hair of the dogs. After a couple of pints of Aspall's to take the edge off, I got on the tube, changing at Bank for the Central Line to Leyton. Once at Leyton, it is a nice simple walk up the High Road to the stadium.
Brisbane Road (or the Matchroom Stadium as it was renamed) is a very interesting ground, that has been redeveloped over the years. The main stand is a big concrete affair with a large row of executive boxes and what looks like offices at the top. To the right of that was a smart looking covered end and at the time the opposite end copntained nothing but a wall. The other side contained the old grandstand with it's gabled roof. The away fans were allocated the left hand side of this old grandstand on this visit (although another time we were given part of the new grandstand). The most unusual aspect of the ground is that the corners of the grounds contain flats with balconies and windows overlooking the pitch. At the time it only seemed that 1 or 2 were occupied, by die-hard Orient fans I guessed. Imagine stepping out of your lounge and being abused by 1,000 people?! No ta!
City looked a little sluggish in the game, conceding the first goal through a penalty.
The funniest moment came when the crowd had quietened down. The City faithful were obviously a little annoyed to be losing to a struggling team in our division. A lone voice called out to Gary Johnson who was stood in front of the stand "YER JOHNSON! WHEN YOU GUNNA TAKE YER SON AWF?" at which point Lee Johnson picked up the ball on the edge of the area and slotted it into the bottom corner to equalise. GJ simply turned around and glared at the bloke.
The game ended 1-1 and I made my way back to Balham only to find my mates in exactly the same position as I had left them 6 hours earlier, but with many more empty glasses around them!
Gloworm 31
Red Exile 0
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