550 And Counting - Forest Green Rovers vs. Scunthorpe United

Big game and some event this Thursday

I had intended to get up early and head to Mildenhall last weekend but I thankfully checked the trains before I left and saw there were no trains between Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds so it was back to bed for a bit before heading off to Forest Green Rovers against my Scunthorpe United. The last time I saw Scunthorpe I left after about sixty five minutes as Charlton went three nil up against a pathetic Iron on their way to relegation. Things have been looking grim for a long time this season but a recent turn around had seen Scunthorpe win their last four games. I'd been interested in visiting Forest Green Rovers and would have rather saved it as a back on a rainy day.

Kick off at The New Lawn

As you'd expect from a team in second against the side with the worst away record in the league, Forest Green dominated the first half and had a chance cleared off the line as well as hitting the top of the bar. It looked like they would finally take the lead when they were awarded a penalty but this was saved and opened the door for Scunthorpe. Firstly Alex Gilliead was allowed to run and run before arrowing a shot across the keeper into the far corner. Abo Eisa doubled the lead with an even better strike as he rode a couple of chances before hammering another long range effort past the Forest Green keeper. In the dying stages, Jake Eastwood produced a couple of stunning close range saves to claim the points.

Scunthorpe attacking in the second half

The first leg of the trip was a train from Paddington to Stroud taking just under two hours. There are direct trains or you can change at Swindon. Having read about the hill you have to scale to get to The New Lawn I took in my first pre drinks at The Ale House in Stroud which still had a great selection of ales before taking the 63 to just outside the ground. The away bar is in a tent at the back of one of the stands which isn't great but at least there is something. Forest Green are of course famous for being a vegan club and I was initially disappointed there were no pies or pasties to try but the chips and curry sauce more than made up for it. Back in Storud, the way the trains fell meant I could have a celebration drink in The Little George which is a great micropub on the high street. A decent day for my 550th ground.