It’s been a minute since my last post, so thought i’d write a new one to end what has been a busy month. My only real ‘trip’ for a game this month had came at the beginning of the month, which formed the majority of my last blog, as I visited Munich. All games since have been far more local, as I had a relative rest ahead of what is shaping up to be a crazy March!
Quickly running through most games, first up was a bitterly cold wednesday night at Broadwood, as Rangers women narrowly defeated a stubborn Hearts side by a solitary Jane Ross goal. Moving on to the Saturday, it was a late kick off in the Scottish Cup as Ayr were the visitors to Ibrox. Again choosing a seat in the corner, this was no more than a routine 2-0 win before heading in to work, slightly later than most saturday nights.
Sunday brought a rare chance at a double header, as after watching a highly frustrating 0-0 draw at Petershill Park, as a Sky Sports Cup final dress rehearsal saw Partick celebrate a point against a disappointed Rangers in the SWPL. Leaving Petershill, it was off to Hamilton to watch a 2nd SWPL game of the day, as the hosts entertained local rivals Motherwell. Keen to watch this as a neutral, with 2 loan players from Rangers on each side, I was joined by Kar as we got to witness 3 cracking goals, and enjoyed a quick chat with some familiar faces before heading home.
Valentines night brought another trip to Ibrox, for the rearranged game with Ross County, as I watched a game from the West Enclosure for the first time. A thoroughly dominant performance from Rangers, i’m still shocked that it finished only 3-1!
Saturday saw me watch Ayr United for the 2nd week in a row, as they visited Airdrie this time. This one was a little different though, as I was in hospitality this week, as we belatedly celebrated my Uncle’s 70th birthday. It was a thoroughly class day, as we were treated to some good food and pre match entertainment, before heading up to the box and being supplied with half time food. What is a frustration though is no soft drinks can be served in boxes in Scotland due to licensing laws, which is absolutely crazy! Not as crazy as the Airdrie defending was though, as they gifted the visitors 3 extremely cheap goals, and only managed 2 in reply, a result that saw Ayr maintain a 100% record over the Diamonds this season. In truth though, it was a blip on the day, and the season overall, which has been a bright one for Airdrie on their return to Championship football. The night out that followed was also highly enjoyable!
Given that I had maybe had one or two too many, driving was off the cards the following day, as I headed in to Ibrox for the Old Firm clash in the SWPL. Public transport isn’t in plentiful supply around my area on a sunday morning, so a walk for the train took a little over half an hour, and then the subway out to the ground and it was time to go in to the fanzone to watch the men’s game at St Johnstone before the game at Ibrox. I’d loved to have went to both games, but given the challenge of getting back to Ibrox from Perth in time, and my lack of fitness to drive, the best option was watching from the fanzone. A great atmosphere filled the place, as I saw and spoke to friends, and had the pleasure of being introduced to the new MD for the women’s team at the club.
Across to the stadium with a spring in our step after the first result of the day, what played out was another frustrating draw, this time Rangers coming from a goal down to leave with a point. Disappointing, but both teams had a chance to win it late on and a draw was better for us than them. Thankfully though, there was no need to work my way home on public transport, as I have the benefit of knowing many people there, and I had Gillian to thank for the lift home this time!
Strangely there were no midweek games for me this week, as instead I pulled on the boots 3 times and huffed and puffed my way through a mixture of 5 and 7 aside, to varying degrees of success! Perhaps this exertion played a part in oversleeping on saturday and making it in to Ibrox later than I usually do for my last game of the month, my 28th of the year, as Rangers hosted Hearts.
As usual, I was parked in the Albion before heading in to the fanzone, where I found David and his lad, before heading over to the ground. Heading in later than usual after waiting to collect extra tickets for the following weekend’s game with Motherwell, it was a run up the stairs to the club deck, where just before kick off I found my seat taken. Thankfully there was an empty seat in the row behind, and while climbing up over seats in the Club Deck isn’t easy, the lads around were happy to help me up and take my seat in a buoyant Ibrox atmosphere.
What followed was an absolute thrashing of an in form Hearts side, and was an absolute joy to watch. The Ibrox atmosphere is excellent right now, and i’m loving being there to sample it for myself. Unfortunately, despite my attempts, I struck out on a ticket for Wednesday nights game at Rugby Park, and I decided against travelling without a ticket. But 28 games so far this year, just shy of an average of 1 every 2 days is pretty good going I think. Most popular score seen so far has been a 2-1 home win, which i’ve seen 3 times so far this year.
March is shaping up to to a mad month, quite apart from turning 40, i’ve got some great trips planned, not least a first ever Euro away trip to watch Rangers playing in Europe. However, there are many games ahead of that game towards the end of the week, so I really shouldn’t be waiting so long to write another blog, I reckon the next 9 or 10 days will give me lots to write about!
There are some fantastic grounds that i’ll be visiting for the first time in March, and i’m looking forward to writing a little about the trips to keep them fresh in the memory, hopefully there will be some who will also enjoy reading about them. There is so much to look forward to in March, and hopefully some warmer weather will be included for going to games!
FootyWanderer84 