Well Rochdale town centre was doing its
best to persuade me it was still open and free parking was promised.
The first car park I tried told me, as I exited on foot, that it was
closing at 5pm for a fireworks display so I had to move to another
car park. Anyway I walked the mile to the ground no problem and got a
ticket to the main stand. Tea was PG costing the usual £1.50 and a
cottage pie that joined it was reasonable once you got through the crust on the mashed potato.
Not a large crowd; a
couple of hundred over two thousands and I could have parked at the
ground. Many others were parked on the streets locally but with
congested streets after the whistle my get away from the town centre
was probably easier and I was on my way back down the motorway by half five.
The match itself was a good contest
eventually going to the home side.
Rainbows over Spotland
Three goals and two red cards but not a dirty match at all. I sat pretty much opposite the away fans and they did their team proud. The home weren't too shabby either. The ground has gaps in the corners allowing views of the wind turbine covered moorsides in one direction.
The stadium looks standard twentieth century build and could do with a lick of paint in places but it's not bad for a league two ground. I can imagine a great atmosphere when it gets bigger crowds. I'd go back and enjoy some more football.
