Bad things always comes in threes

You can make all the plans in the world,think that you have thought of everything and then Bam a turtle eats your mash! (I believe that is the latest hot saying for things going tits up.)
As a Birthday treat i had been given tickets to watch the Nottingham Panthers take on the Cardiff devils in Nottingham on Saturday night. This being me, the day was to begin with a drinking session and the Hockey was to be followed by more beer and a curry at the Mongal e azam, Nottingham's finest curry house where the likes of Cannon and Ball, Bill Bailey, Gavin Brown, Steve Davis and a drunkard who serves ham in a bag have all eaten over the years. Obviously when embarking on a day like this one needs to fuel ones body sufficiently to get it through the challenge ahead so a Wetherspoons full English breakfast was planned to start the day off.

(Warning not all English breakfast look as nice as this)

But as they say things often go tits up and in this case it was tits up on a massive scale.
Over the past couple of days i have had some sort of cold and being Asthmatic it has gone straight to my chest. The result being that my chest has been getting tighter and tighter and it got to the point on Saturday morning where i couldn't walk upstairs without being out of breath for ten minutes, and was unable to get a sentence out without gasping like a twat. I had to admit defeat and instead of chilling out watching channel four's horse racing tips show The morning line and then stuffing down a Wetherspoons breakfast, Bassetlaw Hospital was on my radar.

Any odds on a Giant killing or Toon in the third round of the FA cup John?

A lot of people slate the health service but for me the treatment i received was nothing short of first class. I cant fault a thing after phoning ahead i was only sat waiting for about 5 mins before i was straight in and placed on the nebuliser and on the way back to something approaching normal. I could breathe normally for the first time in a three days as oppose to sounding like Darth Vader in his final moments aboard the second Death Star, and boy did it feel good. My ribs were still sore from all the coughing but i felt a hell of alot better. This is an appropriate moment to thank my own Luke Skywalker for helping me out, being my Chauffeur and translating my shortened sentences to the people on the phone and the Doctor. The Guinea Pigs need thanking as well and deserve huge credit for not panicking and remaining calm throughout.



As luck would have it we still managed to get the train we had originally planned to get to Nottingham at 12.03, which after a brief change at Worksop got us to Nottingham at about 1.45pm. After checking into the hotel, we were soon drinking in the Bell pub at about 2.15pm ahead of the big face off at 7.00pm. As the beer and conversations flowed freely, good news came in from Sincil Bank; not only had the Imps taken a 2-1 lead against Hereford United in the FA Cup, but the scorer was none other than sir Delroy of Facey. So i am 2 up in the bet now and looking good. I will post details of Oxford United's ticket prices so whom it may concern has plenty of time to save his pennies up for the Imps last away game (and it could be our last football league away game if things dont look up)
As normally happens on longish drinking sessions with my cousin, the conversation varied depending on the amount of drink consumed. Topics ranged form the Barlow's important contribution to the war effort, to the effect on the economic situation on Nottingham's massage parlours(Not that i have ever been to one myself i hasten to add) Semi normal things like how to get good deals on car insurance were also discussed.
As we moved on to different pubs my drinking pace quickened with the news that the Imps had bowed out of the FA Cup 3-4 at home. "Bollocks" was my reaction. Oh well more beer. At 6.00pm we made our way to the Nottingham Ice arena. The Old Trafford of British Ice Hockey.


I must say that i have really enjoyed watching the GMB Nottingham Panthers this season. I am very much a newbie to all the rules and stuff but learn i little more on each visit. This was my 5th game and i hope to get a few more in before the season ends. Its cheaper than watching league two football, you always get goals and being as the Panthers are the biggest club in the country a good atmosphere is usually guarenteed. We tried out the Lace Market chip shop pre game; the lamb meat and chips went down very well and i will be partaking again. The service was also fantastic although there was only one chap serving and a large queue waiting, the guy did a sterling job. I tip my hat to you sir.


Today the Elite league's form team the Cardiff Devils were in town. Their 18 game winning streak was almost as hot as my lamb kebab. They were well supported but chatting to a few Notts fans they seem to be very much a bandwagon club who normally bring about 20 to Nottingham at best. As this is my first season i cant say if this is correct or not. One thing i like about the Elite league is that it is the only pro sport in Britain that brings together teams for all four countries of the United Kingdom with one Welsh team, one side from Northern Ireland, three from Scotland and five from England making up the league. Being sat just across the row from the Cardiff fans (although we all mixed freely on the concourse and in the Arena) led to a great atmosphere.


The Panthers played well but were defeated 5-6. Of the few Ice Hockey games we have been to, this was by far the best game we have seen. Cardiff were out of the blocks quickly getting a two goal lead within 6 minutes, only for the Panthers to fightback and take a 4-2 lead. The Devils drew it level only for Notts to take the lead from the following faceoff. Again Cardiff drew level and took the lead with a couple of minutes left to play. The Panthers then committed a daft penalty by having too many men on the ice thus gifting Cardiff the power play for the remainder of the game and that was that. For my money both teams gave it there all and served up a great treat for the fans. The only down side being the news that the "Penforcer" will be leaving the club. All the best for the future. As my Ice Hockey education continues the match reports will be a little more detailed. My next mission is to fully understand the Ice Hockey offside rule.

After the game a swift pint was in order before a curry to round of my Birthday celebrations. Nottinghams top totty/Slappers were out in forced and dressed up to the nines. Thus making my Ice hockey/jeans and trainers combo look a tad out of place. The Bouncer on the door told me that not football shirts were allowed, I did tell him it was an ice hockey jersey, but alas the same rule applied so i took it off and was allowed into the pub. He failed to spot i had my Lincoln City jumper on underneath. Bouncer 0 Darth Adam 1. I wonder if the "No Sports shirts" rule is enforced before/after Forest games? Somehow i can't quite see it.

The Curry went down better than the Cardiff players after Lepine (A Panthers player) had smacked them. I have been to the curry house a number of times and for the first time best of order was given. I didnt make a twat of myself by ordering a curry that was too hot, no Bombay mix was spilt everywhere, no warm beer spilt and no well known international comedians were heckled. Maybe now that i am in my 32nd year, my associates and i are growing up?....Nah.

Although the Panthers and the Imps both lost high scoring matches, it really didnt bother me. After the mornings fun and games i was just glad to make it to Nottingham at all. I would like to say a HUGE thanks TO those who helped me and convince me that i needed to get my arse to the hospial ASAP and got me there and back :-)Oh and for getting me a shout out over the PA at the Hockey saying that i was 32 years YOUNG. :-)

New year same old Sh*t

For the last few months i haven't had the time to blog much due to doing 12 hour night shifts. Now i am back on days i will have much more time to write about my sporting experiences. Although the main question is will there be anything worth writing about regarding my first sporting love.
For the most part i have had a good last few months sport wise. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a great season going 12-4 and capturing our 20th division title since 1970. We now await one of the wild card round winners in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
The England cricket team have had a fantastic tour down under and now look good not only to retain the Ashes but to win the series outright thus becoming the first England side to win a series in Australia in 24 years. I have started to watch the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey club this season and for the most part have thoroughly enjoyed it. Inter, although a little off the pace in the league, have become world club champions and made the last 16 of the champions league.
Despite saying all that there is one huge white elephant in the room. My main sporting interest of the last 16 years.
Lincoln City FC.

The Imps were undefeated in December. Pretty impressive you would say. Until you realise that we didn't play a single match in that time due to the extreme weather we have had here in the East Midlands for the last few weeks. When we returned to action on Jan the 1st at home to Bradford City it took the Imps a whole two minutes to dig their own grave with some comic defending. Keeper Joe Anyon and centre back Moses Swaibu decided to leave a long through ball for each other neither got it thus giving Bradfords striker one of the easiest goals he will ever get.

Such defending hasn't been seen since the days of the "Up the Field" side or the famous Jenkins five a side teams of the late 90's (Both of which i was between the sticks for). However, people didn't pay to watch us.
We got back into it and made it 1-1 but Bradford took the lead again a few minutes before half time when we let their player just walk past 4 defenders before picking his spot to give them a 2-1 lead. We made plenty of chances in the 2nd half but just couldnt take them.
On Monday we again lost 2-1. This time away at Northampton, the winner coming two minutes from the end. All the reports said that we should have got something from the game (I was at Retford v Stockbridge park steels) But we didnt. When the dust settled it showed ourselves, Hereford, and Barnet all on 19 points with a group of teams a further 4 points ahead. So where do we go from here? On the plus side the Imps do have up to three games in hand on the sides around us which in a way is a good thing, but of course games in hand have to be won other wise the are as meaningful as a pre election CONservative/ Liberal democrat promise. The January transfer window is upon us and we need to wheel and deal if we are to stay up.
Not that getting players in will be easy, after all who wants to come to a side that is up to its neck in doo doo and in the middle of a relegation battle? On the plus side i have great faith in Steve Tilson and Paul Brush. They have been around the lower leagues and know what is required at this level which is something for me that Chris Sutton never got. Needless to say the fans are restless and worried that this is our time to be relegated. Yes we have been dire at times this season but now isn't the time to stick the knives in. The Summer is the time for that. For now we just have to grin and bear it and get our tin hats on. I still belive that there is very little between most sides in league two this season with only Bury and Accrington giving us a good kicking this season. Its FA Cup time this weekend (and maybe the following Tuesday if we win the reply on Saturday) so its all fun fun fun.

If we do go down at least we can enjoy the shepards pie at Kiddiminster Harriers, Fish and chips at Grimsby, and a boys weekend away in London for Hayes and Yeading (I always try to look on the bright side of things) Ironically we have been to most of the blue square league clubs as many are former league two sides. The lesson there is that is often takes clubs a while to come back.

No pressure then boys.

Up the Imps.

England retain the Ashes!!!

Due to the crappy weather i haven't been to any sporting events since watching the Matlock v Retford match. Because of this i have spent far too much time in various drinking holes as oppose to updating this blog, but i am now back and with a back log of matches to be played (The Imps haven't played a single match in December) The blog should get back to its old self.
My two main sporting interests of the past month have been the Pittsburgh Steelers' quest for a seventh Superbowl title and England's quest to retain the biggest prize in cricket..The Ashes!
I am delighted to report that when i awoke today not only did i get the normal squeaking and rumbling from the Guinea pigs but also i received the news that England had retained the famous urn and won on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years!

Unlucky Aussies better luck next time! HA HA HA HA!
Lets hope we win the fifth test to get a 3-1 series win and really rub their noses in it.
Maybe to aid there plight they could sack captain and chief whinger Ricky Ponting and play good old Rolf Harris at number three? He can't do any worse.

Lincoln City 3-1 Hereford United

Upon studying the fixed odds coupon on Friday night i noticed that Sunnybank fc of the SJFA North superleague were a staggering 9-1 to win away at Ayr United in the Scottish cup. Only one man could confirm if this was a decent bet to go on and so a text was sent off to deepest darkest Leicestershire to get the inside goss on Sunnybank. I received red hot information back that Sunnybank are one of the top Junior sides in Scotland and could well spring an upset. Taking the shady one's word for it, i placed a whole one pound bet, confident in success and my thoughts turned on how to spend my winnings.

Full time result. Ayr United 5 Sunnybank 0

I really should have know better but there you go. His tip of the week this week is for the mighty Rangers to win at Dundee United. Should this one go tits up then the only action to take will be for me to put Kate Nash tracks on repeat in every pub we go in when we have the Jolly boys piss up ;-). By that time one of us could well be paying out on our Steelers v Giants bet. (Who gets the furthest)

Apart from that i can honestly say that Saturday was a good day. The Imps had been on a two game winning run and were about to face second bottom Hereford United who themselves were seven games unbeaten. The Imps have been making steady progress under Steve Tilson and look a totally different side to that under Chris Sutton. Crowds are up and everybody seems alot more positive. The chip shop at the corner of the ground has been shut for the last few home games so we have had to find a new pre match chip shop, which we have and very nice it is to.

We have been a few times now and it has been spot on every time. I can recommend the Kebab meat and chips with the only fault being that the girl serving them put a tad too much mint sauce it but it was still first class and the chili sauce is very hot. All this for £4.10. The battered sausage chips and curry is also a big hit (and for less than three quid).

Hereford had the first attack in the first few moments but from that point on it was all City as Lincoln looked to use the flanks and stretch the Hereford defence, under the watchful gaze of Mr Barlow senior who was making his first appearance of the season. City had already wasted several chances before on loan Celtic striker Ben Hutchinson headed home a cross form Mustapha Carayol. City didn't let up and then in the 35th minute the moment i have waited all season for finally arrived.
Felice and myself have had a bet on which player scores more goals for Lincoln this season. I have gone for international striking sensation Delroy Facey while Felice is championing Drew Broughton. The loser has to pay for the others ticket for the Imps last away match of the season at Oxford United. If its a draw..Baz pays for both of us. Up till now both of us have been locked on...none, which could explain why the Imps are nearer the bottom of the league than the top.

Sir Delroy in his Grenadian National team kit.

The cross was floated in by Jarret and quick as a flash Delroy got across his man to plant a pin point bullet diving header into the top corner of the Hereford United net to give Lincoln (and Baz) some breathing space. Sincil Bank erupted and by far the largest cheer came from Baz. As for the time being he doesn't have to find a way of telling his good lady that he needs the best part of £100 quid for the last away game of the season. The downside of this however is that we now lose Delroy for a couple of games as he is on international duty. But after scored a couple the last time he was away and now opening his Lincoln account you have got to say the boy is on fire at the moment. Over to you Drew old boy.
HT 2-0

After hardly getting out of their own half for much of the game, Hereford were back in the game on 56min when a long range shot was only punched out by Anyon and Hereford tucked away the rebound. They werent in the game for long as a couple of minutes later Carayol made it 3-1 with a great solo goal. Lincoln continued to create (and miss) chances and saw the game out easy enough.

With about 10 minutes to go i saw a sight that i never thought i would see and i bet few have seen or can imagine seeing. Baz turned down A FREE chicken balti pie from one of the caterers!
So there you go. The Imps score three goals, Delroy scores and Baz turns down a pie! Not even a far eastern betting syndicate could have dreamt that little lot up could they?
This was by far Lincolns best performance of the season and a repeat of this performance next week,again against Hereford will see us into the third round of the FA Cup.

Sheffield FC 2-2 Quorn FC

Today i managed to get a ground ticked off the list that has been on our radar for a couple of seasons now. The oldest football club in the world. Ladies and Gentlemen i give you Sheffield FC formed way back in 1857 members of the EVO Stick division one south and one of only two clubs to awarded the FIFA order of merit in 2004. The other being CF Real Madrid.

Sheffield or as they are nicknamed "club" play in Dronfield which is a short drive out of Sheffield. Dronfield is your stereotypical peak district kind of town with a very Yorkshire feel to it(even if it is just inside the Derbyshire border). There aren't many places i like in Yorkshire/Derbyshire but i can cope with places like this.



It was only an hour or so drive from Retford so there was plenty of time for a pint at the Coach and horses pub which is next to the ground. I have been trying a few real ales over the past few weeks as oppose to crappy 4-5% strength lagers so we went for a couple of Pints of "White Swan" which after the first mouthful went down very well(even though it looks like cat piss). The pub is a real country pub and the kind of place where you could have a real session in. Alas we had a match to go to. As it stands this place is my pub of the season so far.

It was only £6 to get in today which is the cheapest i have paid to watch a game in this division this year. The programme was £1.50 and was a decent enough effort with a few nice articles and not just the normal crappy adverts. The chap selling them was a decent fellow and we had a chat about Lincoln and the Imps (We had our Imps jackets on)

The first thing you notice as you walk into the ground is the members board. It reads as a list of who's who in world football. All the FIFA board members are there, England managers past and present many ex pros such as Alan Sherear and Les Ferdinand. Heads of national FA's are there from countries such as the USA, Holland and Hungary. People from all around the world have also joined, with members from places like Argentina, the US and Brazil. Probably the most famous name on the board has to be PELE, The greatest player to have ever played the game. When you see names like this up there it is very tempting to join and say that you to are a part of the oldest club in the world and in a way you are giving back to the club that started the game that we all love today. If you are interested in joining just check out their very good website.

The Stadium is quite smart and more than adequate for this league. The only seating is in the "MacDonald's community stand" behind the goal. To the right hand side of this is a small covered terrace. The rest of the ground is open with hard standing all the way round. The only disappointment was the club shop which was poorly stocked and didn't have any pin badges left. They did have team sheets on sale for 20p though.

Due to a decent FA Cup Run Sheffield have up to 7 games in had on some clubs in the division so its not surprising they are in the bottom third. Visitors Quorn were in midtable.
Quorn were fast out of the blocks and really took the game to the hosts forcing a flurry of saves from the home keeper. "Club" were struggling to defend set plays even though the manager was bellowing at his players to "Wrap them up" from corners. The pitch wasn't the greatest, not that it mattered as the ball spent more time in the air as oppose to on the pitch. After 20 minutes or so we sampled a cheese burger from the food hut. It was decent enough but little more than that. Sheffield doubled their lead before halftime but it didn't tell the whole story.
Quorn really took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and it was pretty much one way traffic they scored two and should have had more. The hosts will feel it was a better point than the visitors.

All in all i really enjoyed the day out and it is somewhere any football fan will enjoy going to. When people think of Sheffield and football they think of Sheffield United and Wednesday. Instead of going to either of them i would recommend either Sheffield FC; the worlds oldest club, or Hallam Fc who also play in the city and have the world's oldest football ground in the world. Plus you dont have to listen to Wednesday fans moaning about how the are a big club and shouldn't be in league one (Although it could be league two next year depending what happens on Thursday) Or Blades fans moaning about Carlos Tevez and West Ham.

Admission £6
Programme £1.50 8/10
Ground 7/10
Pub 8/10
Food Burger 6/10 £2.40
Match 7/10

Oh and the best thing about the day that we got to listen to the Imps hang on to a vital three points away at Morecombe! Happy days.

Lincoln City 1-0 Nuneaton Town

FA Cup 1st Round

Apart from last season the FA cup normally does mean "FA" as far as the Imps are concerned. Thankfully the Imps came through against a negative Nuneaton Town side who's sole aim seemed to be to put ten men behind the ball and try to get a reply.
The Imps were reduced to ten men a minute before halftime when Clark Keltie managed to get himself two bookings in the space of two minutes(Prat!). Even this didn't bring the visitors out of their defensive shell. I would have thought that will 20 minutes to go and the small home crowd getting edgy they would have made a go of it seeing how we had ten men, but it was Lincoln who finished much stronger and won the match with an Albert Jarret free kick in the 90th minute.
As the gate money is split in the FA cup it is up to the two clubs to agree ticket prices. Lincoln wanted to make it £5 for season ticket holders and £10 for everybody else. Nuneaton being the money grabbing barstewards that they are wanted full league two prices charged. The FA stepped in and set the prices at £14 in all areas. The result was that almost 2,000 less Lincoln fans attended the match than the previous home league game and thought fuck that and stayed at home or went to the pub. Thus making Nuneatons stance on ticket prices backfire on them. Bolton last season knew they couldn't sell tickets for the Lincoln game at premiership prices (much like we wont shift tickets for this game at league two prices) so the two clubs got together and came up with a sensible ticket offer and the game attracted a decent crowd considering it was just after Christmas and the weather was dreadful.
Lincolns reward is a trip to fellow league two side Hereford United in round two. I am reasonably happy with the draw, they are in the same area as us in the table and even though its away from home i think we are in with a chance of getting to round three. We will play them twice in a week as we play them at home the week before the cup tie.
Its another interesting sporting weekend for me. The Nottingham Panthers can go top of the league if we beat Cardiff and Belfast lose. Inter face Milan in the Milan derby, and on Sunday night i will be watching the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New England Partiots as we look to go a game clear in the AFC North.


All being well i should be taking in a local non league game at the oldest club in the world; Sheffield FC. The Imps travel to Morecambe and as its the "Shrimps v Imps" match i thought it would be a great time to share this video with you. It is amazing what crap some people put on Youtube, and what crap people like myself will watch.

A crappy few days in Adams sporting world.

It would be fair to say that Sunday through to Tuesday weren't the best few days for my sporting teams (bar the Nottingham Panthers who spanked both Hull and Newcastle this week)
Firstly on Sunday night i took a nights holiday off to watch Pittsburgh Steelers prime time showdown with the New Orleans saints only for the offence to forget to turn up in what was a dreadful 20-10 points defeat. Thus putting us in 2nd place in the AFC North on head to head behind the Ratbirds.
Then on Tuesday not one but two crappy results. Inter going down 3-1 at Spurs was bad enough but not nearly as bad as Lincolns crappy 2-0 defeat to Northampton at Sincil Bank. Since Steve Tilson has been here it has all been pretty positive but this was a reminder, if one was needed, that we still have a hell of a lot of work to do if we are going to stay up. At least the pre match chips were nice.
Just to complete my mood. When you have seen your team thumped at home, its raining and you are about to start a night shift and knowing you took a few hours off to watch a crappy game this song really isn't what you want to hear blasting out when you walk into work at about 10.30pm. Alas i did.