This past weekend I had the opportunity to make the trip over to London with my Dad, Dave and Boyd. Needless to say, it was one hell of a good time. The original plan was to see Chelsea v Boro and Spurs v Newcastle. The Chelsea plans fell through and we managed to get tickets to see Reading v Blackburn on Saturday and Spurs v Newcastle on Sunday.
Reading 0 - 0 Blackburn
The atmosphere at the Madjeski seemed a little bit subdued but was still amazing to experience. The beer wasn't as expensive as I thought it was going to be and we even got to watch a bit of the Rangers v Celtic match before our game started. The stadium only holds about 24,000 people so it was a very intimate setting. The weather was about 50 degrees with 20 mph winds and rain. It was a good thing our seats were high up so we didn't get soaked.
The game went back and forth and each team had some chances. Both of the American goalkeepers played well with Marcus Hannehman making some saves to keep his team in the game. (Each time he made a good stop the crowd would chant U-S-A! I thought that was pretty funny) Stephen Hunt had a 'mare of a game and was taking a lot of flack from the supporters sitting next to me. He had a good chance in the waining minutes but managed to flub it up. A late substitute in Shane Long showed some promise and maybe should have been made earlier. It was a respectably result for Reading but really could have gone either way.
The game went back and forth and each team had some chances. Both of the American goalkeepers played well with Marcus Hannehman making some saves to keep his team in the game. (Each time he made a good stop the crowd would chant U-S-A! I thought that was pretty funny) Stephen Hunt had a 'mare of a game and was taking a lot of flack from the supporters sitting next to me. He had a good chance in the waining minutes but managed to flub it up. A late substitute in Shane Long showed some promise and maybe should have been made earlier. It was a respectably result for Reading but really could have gone either way.
Tottenham 1 - 4 Newcastle
On Sunday we made our way to North London for the Tottenham/Newcastle fixture. After stopping for a few pints before the game, we headed over to White Hart Lane. I have to say it is definitely a different feeling going to a sporting event in the middle of a city rather than one in the suburbs like so many American sports facilities. Our seats were in the next to last row on the side of the pitch, but it didn't matter. The atmosphere was more vibrant and energetic than the Reading match. The Newcastle supporters were there in force and added to the energy of the match.
Things got started off with scoring in the 26th minute by Darren Bent with a lovely header. The place erupted and things were looking good for the Spurs. A Nicky Butt equalizer in first half stoppage time evened the score at 1 a piece going into the second half. A second half Geremi free kick took even more momentum away from the home side and eventually led to Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins sealing the deal. I'm not sure about the decision to play Berbatov, Keane and Bent at the same time but I guess Ramos knows more than me.
All in all, it was an awesome trip and I can't wait to go back again. Until then....MLS.
The Newcastle fans were out in full force.
No comments:
Post a Comment