Away Days - Notts County
First Impressions -- Around the ground -- The Game -- The Stand -- Overall -- Pictures
Fixture: Notts County vs PNE
Competition: NPower League One
Ground: Brunton Park
Date: Saturday 26th October 2013
Kick off: 3pm
Final Result: 0-1 Hume
This was one ground I had wanted to tick off for sometime but my chances had be squandered in previous seasons thanks to the fixture falling on a Tuesday night. Thankfully, this season it fell on a Saturday so as soon as I saw the fixtures it was immediately on my radar.
After the nightmare journey to Forest a couple of seasons previously on the coach, I opted to do this by train. It was very easy to get to - just roughly a 2 hour train journey from Preston including a change at Manchester Piccadilly, and a short walk to the ground.
On my previous visit to Nottingham for the Forest game, I only had a short glimpse of Meadow Lane. My impressions this time were that I wasn't particularly 'blown away' by the ground (I soon caught glimpse of it after leaving the train station). It looked tidy and modern enough, not particularly impressive but at least it wasn't just all bland corrugated steel like at the Bescot of Glandford Park.
As with plenty of my previous away games, I had quite a lot of time for wandering about so as per usual I took a stroll round the ground.
There wasn't a great deal to see outside or pubs round the ground (with the exception of the supporters bar which was home fans only anyway) - I made the mistake of not going to any of the pubs in the city centre as being unfamiliar with Nottingham, I didn't want to risk getting lost.
Anyway, I strolled round to the main stand/main entrance but sadly it wasn't possible to walk round the ground as the area in front of the stand was 'gated off'. Since I still had time to kill, the only other things I could do were to buy a programme, take a few photos with my phone and head inside.
I have to say the outside of the ground was tidy enough if a little unimpressive but the inside seemed more impressive. After taking my seat I took a few photos of the rest of the ground. The stand opposite, the Derek Pavis Stand is the 'main stand' and although smart and tidy wasn't particularly imposing.
Well the game wasn't certainly something to shout about, although the strong North End following didn't let that stop them! The game was largely a very dour affair with very little happening in the first half apart from clumsy fouls all over the show with a few yellow cards being shown.
It was very tedious with very little chances created from either side and it was probably a relief when the half time whistle was blown!
The second half didn't start off much better either - merely continuing on from the first half. However, come the 63rd minute, Simon Grayson made insprired subs in bringing on Garner and Hume for Beavon and Davies. This certainly provided a much-needed spark, certainly from North End's perspective and at last North End were starting to create real chances and start testing Notts County.
Finally, the break through came in the 74th minute - thanks to great work started by Welsh, Scott Laird put a brilliant pass through to Hume who fired home.
In the end, North End ran out 1-0 winners. It could have been 2 but with the game looking like a stalement for so long, a 1-0 win is nothing to be sniffed at.
From the outside, the stand didn't look very impressive but smart and tidy nonetheless.
Inside, the stand is actually a pretty good place to watch a game from - no pillars, decent 'rake' of the stand (i.e not too steep or too shallow) and a decent view. The seats also had good legroom too - one thing I can't stand with some all-seater stands is being squashed up into the seat in front.
A couple of things were I thought were found 'lacking' was the one catering bar to cater for 900 + fans and not enough toilets, which seems to be a common thing at most football grounds. A massive queue at the end of the game meant I decided to go when I got back to the train station!
I wouldn't rank the ground or the day as one of my favourites, but it certainly wasn't the worst. Its a tidy, smart and modern ground if a little lacking in features etc. Still its a decent place to watch football.
The game wasn't much cop - it was largely dire until Hume and Garner came on. With 3 points in the bag though, it was a nice little day out and very easy to get to and from the ground.
Next time, I must take in the pubs!
Ratings
Appearance: 7/10
Game: 6/10
Enjoyment: 7/10
Fans: 6/10
Away Stand: 7/10
Overall: 7/10
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)