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She's Leaving Home
Sep. 16th, 2020 05:04 pmYesterday another midweek match, another trip to London. Stayed at the Pilot Inn, Greenwich, this time; the place was just as nice as I remembered and the staff warm and friendly. To signify Greenwich's links with time, the doors had clocks on showing times corresponding to the room numbers; so my room, number 1, was designated by a clock reading 1 o'clock. Had excellent burger and chips in the restaurant before setting off for the game.
The relief at the temperature gauge beeping and the gateman saying "Perfect" was immense. A couple of the guys were still buzzing from Saturday's game; as George said, it was time to hope they hadn't been over-indulging in the celebrations. I'd got there nice and early to secure a seat, only to have to move when, in quick succession, four blokes all came and sat directly in front of me. To maintain social distancing I had to go and find a remote seat down the other end of the stand. These guys might all have been in each other's bubble, but they knew damn well I wasn't in their bubble. As I rose to move, without a hint of irony one of them remarked that in London Bridge station people hadn't been distancing and that he hadn't felt safe!...
We were hopeful of something from this game as Tower Hamlets had lost both their opening fixtures. Hamlets, though, were awarded an early penalty and scored. Fisher rallied and Christian Udo equalised on 50 minutes with a magnificent volley.
Alex came over at half time, said he'd heard Saturday was a great day out and he wished he'd come. I told him some of the highlights of the off-pitch atmosphere. He said he was glad we'd finally scored a league goal!
Sam Fitzgerald gave us the lead early in the second half heading home a corner. Fisher had the upper hand for much of the half, though a battling Hamlets side never gave up. In the 90th minute an unfortunate Hamlets player deflected past his own goalie to give us a 3-1 win. The fans in the Dockers' End celebrated with a new chant : "You've been battered by the Fish!" As I headed for the exit the players were again leading the fans in a sing-song.
Up this morning for the early screening of Classic EastEnders. It was the tear-jerker of Natalie, rejected by Ricky and bullied by Bianca, leaving Walford on a bus with a broken heart. I had trouble keeping a lid on it, just like I had in 1995. Then it was down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast of toast and strawberry jam, and then the long journey home.
The relief at the temperature gauge beeping and the gateman saying "Perfect" was immense. A couple of the guys were still buzzing from Saturday's game; as George said, it was time to hope they hadn't been over-indulging in the celebrations. I'd got there nice and early to secure a seat, only to have to move when, in quick succession, four blokes all came and sat directly in front of me. To maintain social distancing I had to go and find a remote seat down the other end of the stand. These guys might all have been in each other's bubble, but they knew damn well I wasn't in their bubble. As I rose to move, without a hint of irony one of them remarked that in London Bridge station people hadn't been distancing and that he hadn't felt safe!...
We were hopeful of something from this game as Tower Hamlets had lost both their opening fixtures. Hamlets, though, were awarded an early penalty and scored. Fisher rallied and Christian Udo equalised on 50 minutes with a magnificent volley.
Alex came over at half time, said he'd heard Saturday was a great day out and he wished he'd come. I told him some of the highlights of the off-pitch atmosphere. He said he was glad we'd finally scored a league goal!
Sam Fitzgerald gave us the lead early in the second half heading home a corner. Fisher had the upper hand for much of the half, though a battling Hamlets side never gave up. In the 90th minute an unfortunate Hamlets player deflected past his own goalie to give us a 3-1 win. The fans in the Dockers' End celebrated with a new chant : "You've been battered by the Fish!" As I headed for the exit the players were again leading the fans in a sing-song.
Up this morning for the early screening of Classic EastEnders. It was the tear-jerker of Natalie, rejected by Ricky and bullied by Bianca, leaving Walford on a bus with a broken heart. I had trouble keeping a lid on it, just like I had in 1995. Then it was down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast of toast and strawberry jam, and then the long journey home.
