I havn't been putting off writing about this game...I've only just got back from London. But I still don't want to write about it....
It all started very early with my 6:30am train from Southampton, because of engineering works, but luckily there was no need for those dreaded replacement bus services! I dropped a bag off at Jamie's place as his folks were kindly providing my accommodation for the night. Inevitably, it all started with a Weatherspoons breakfast, as it invariably does when me and Jamie are hungry and it's before 12pm!
That done, it was onwards to Barnet and the short trip to Waterloo was enjoyed because of the fantastic driver and his unwillingness to shut up at any point during the announcements...
"We're now arriving in Vauxhall, please remember to bring all your luggage off the train. If you're staying on the train, we advise that you use the baggage compartments above, or below your seats, and please remember to check for any suspect packages on this train. The toilets are there should you need to use them and the buffet trolley will be along in any minute now..."
Blimey...Anyway, as I was saying...
..."If you have any problems please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the staff on board..."
OK, are you done?
"...And..."
Clearly not...
"...if you're planning on getting off at Vauxhall, please use the first 5 carriages. If you are with us up to Waterloo, please be advised to leave the train via the door."
OK, maybe that last bit was made up but you get the picture. The short journey was made that little bit longer by Jamie's awful sense of picking the right seats, choosing not a sensible position in the middle of the train but instead opting for the more uncomfortable position of directly outside the toilet! 5 people used that toilet while we were on the train and each time they came face to face with me, trying desperately not to look in their direction.
Once at Waterloo, we faced a (count them) 20 underground stops to reach high Barnet. To pass the time, Jamie invented an awfully fun game...count down the stations one by one.
"20.....19.....18.....17.....16....15....14....13..."
"Oh for Christ's sake. At least make it a bit more more fun." I ranted.
"OK...."
This is the point where Jamie had a brilliant idea. We were now (count them) TWELVE stops from Barnet. And it's Christmas time. So...
"12....drummers drumming.....11....piper's piping..."
Even some conversation and some chat with two canadians going to Barnet because they "fancied some FA Cup football and we'd never get into Arsenal" couldn't stop him...
"Ten...lords a-leaping....Nine...frigging ladies dancing"
And you get the picture. It even got to the point of him actually making the noise of the characters in the song like the hens, birds and the partridge. After all that, I needed a drink so we headed to the Red Lion outside underhill. Our canadian friends deserted us because the Arsenal game wasn't being shown in there but Dad and Chris arrived just after pint number one. I was in confiedent mood going for a 2-0 win, Dad predicted a replay...unfortunately neither of us were right.
The Cobblers fans, packed into the East Terrace and, not so packed, into the North terrace, were in decent voice until we realised this wasn't going to be easy. Our play was far too narrow and we once again played with 4 central midfielders but somehow we took the lead just before the break. Ian Taylor made a good run and that resulted in Scott McGleish scoring against his old team again with a free header. Barnet weren't threating at all and I said at half time if we got another it was game over. I had no idea what was to come.
Barnet threw everything at us and we had no answer. Adam Burchall muscled past Dyche for the equiliser with 5 minutes of the 2nd half gone and from then on it was downhill, lierally and physically on the Underhill sloping pitch. Jason Puncheon was getting the better of Luke Chambers all afternoon and it was his cross the provided the 2nd goal, a header from Sinclair. Nick Wright came on for his debut to try and spark a response from a sheel shocked Town but a penalty mid way through the half all but ended any hope we had, former Cobbler Ian Hendon converting after Puncheon was fouled. The Cobblers faithful started to stream out as the game wore on and abuse was thrown at the team. I will never agree to either leave early or throw abuse at the players individually but it was very tempting on this occasion.
Another former Cobbler, Magno Viera made it even more depressing with a 4th late on and we were out of the FA Cup at Round Two, completely outplayed in the 2nd half by a well organised and battling League Two side who deserved their win simply for wanting it more. Good luck to them in Round 3, where they will meet Colchester United.
As for us, it's back to the league and a simply massive run of games over Christmas that could decide whether or not we're involved in a relegation dog fight or not. From this showing, we could well be and strengthening is needed in January.
After the game it was a long tube journey, most of the way accompanied by a gloating Barnet fan who was on the phone, smirking at us as she spoke on the phone to her mate...
"If we draw Arsenal away you sooooo have to come"
Shame...have fun against Colchester madam. Oh, and good luck in League Two.
Our planned night out was replaced by a couple of drinks in a local pub and we got some of the disappointment out of our system by playing Buckaroo on the ITbox!
It was a lazy Sunday, watching the Salisbury-Forest game and staring jealously at the 3rd Round draw before my friend Tina, who very coincidently was in the same area of London, gave me a lift back to Southampton.
Now I'm knackered. I need my bed.
Goodnight.
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