Lump 'em or Leave 'em

England 3 v Scotland 0

Friday 11 November 2016

FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group F

Twitter @ball_sup

I'm just a bit into an eight games in eight days spell. So, the Blogs are coming thick n fast. I need the odd ice bath & massage table to keep me going. So forgive me my brevity.

The finishing was the difference there. A few English defensive errors. A lot of Scottish pressing. Scotland moving the ball quickly. They created chances. But fluffed them. Although England lacked a bit of killer ball, we certainly took our chances. I'm a veteran of these fixtures. See…

The Neds Come North http://ball-sup.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-neds-come-north.html

It all seems a lot tamer nowadays. You're as likely to see a Scotland fan drinking a Chai Latte in Islington as a bottle of Buckfast in Trafalgar Square. Wembley is such a big cavernous place now. Despite the large number of Scottish fans in their section, I couldn't really hear them from my seat down the other end. Although in general I thought the atmosphere was loud & hostile. Which “makes a pleasant change”.

Some appalling Terrace Etiquette from a few English Divs to my right. There were a group of maybe 5 or 6 Scottish lads in our section. Quite young, say early 20s. They weren't lairy. But, Scotland shirts & bobble hats gave them away. A bit of shouting & some English lads are grassing them up to the stewards. “They shouldn't be in here”. “Get 'em out”. “Etc”.

I've been all over the ground at Hampden. Kept my head down mind. But, I wouldn't have wanted Scottish Divs to grass me up. Lump 'em or Leave 'em. I'd prefer Leave 'em. But, don't Grass 'em ffs.

Surprise surprise. I'm against all this bollocks where you're supposed to hold up a card or some shit to make a flag. So, salute to my fellow England fan travellers. The simple bit of card has been binned off years ago. They were put to use building paper aeroplanes to be launched into the penalty area. Concertina card failed as well. The ingenuity of England Fans will always find a way to fuck around with the idea.

The latest is. Wait for it. T Shirts. White 'uns. And red 'uns. Thought process presumably, they'll not fuck about with them as they're a souvenir. And, what is the worse they can do with 'em.

Well, tie them in a complicated knot. So that they make a hard ball of fabric. Perfect for hurling at the photographers & at fellow fans. The FA planning meeting will now have to bin the T Shirts off. Too dangerous.

The main drink was in a Chain Brewpub behind Angel Station. The Brewhouse & Kitchen.

Brewhouse & Kitchen, Spandau B, Session IPA on cask at 4%.
Brewhouse & Kitchen, Triple A, Rye Ale on cask at 5%.
Brewhouse & Kitchen, Arc Angel, Traditional English Bitter on cask at 3.6%.

And then the aftermatch calm down in The Alma.

One Mile End, Ancho Cocoa Stout on keg at 6.4%.

That Triple A, Rye Ale was the standout. Dark & rich in the glass. Some sweetness giving way to blackcurrant. Hint of bitterness in the background. Lovely.

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