I peg it from Sincil Bank, down Scorer Street, where former Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Leeds Utd and Sheffield Wednesday striker, Lee Chapman, was born. How the Imps could have done with his finishing prowess today against jammy Bolton Wanderers. 22 shots and yet only one goal to show for their craft and guile.
I engage in conversation on the journey home with some Trotters fans. They admit they got out of jail and are happy with a point. The train stops at Carlton. I slog it up the hill after three days away from HQ. There's no warm welcome from Ms Moon on my arrival back at Chez Palms. She's proper got the face on as the Six Nations Rugby Union thingy has killed her Saturday night TV entertainment schedule. Scotland v England or Michael McIntyre - if only there was a third option.
We have a lazy Sunday. I order three cook books from World of Books - there's going to be plenty of stir frys, pasta dishes and slow cooker meals once they drop through the letterbox and onto the doormat. I had a productive Saturday evening. I acted quickly in securing a ticket for the Mansfield v Lincoln game at Field Mill. With the Stags causing a Cup upset at Turf Moor, the match is bound to be a sell out. I'll be sat on my hands in the home end.
I'm still hard at it trying to complete the 92 Football League grounds and revisit clubs who have new stadia or hold a special place in English football heritage and culture. My mate, Dean, is Head of EFL Research for the computer game Football Manager. He's aware I've not been to the 'new' Doncaster Rovers ground.
I jump in an Uber after shutting up shop at the best newsagent in Arnold. The taxi ride takes me on a trip down memory lane. The journey is through the village of Calverton where I spent many happy years 'working' at the coal mine. It's where I met my mate Chippy Fryer, who is now my boss at the paper shop. We used to play golf every week at Springwater Golf Club. Ironically, it's across the road from the Chinese restaurant, which has a large water feature in the car park. It's where the driver drops me off. Dean is travelling from the village of Lowdham where Notts County's all-time great, centre forward, Tommy Lawton, once ran a pub that's still standing, called the Magna Charta.
We're parked up at the ground an hour before kick off. We enjoy a pie and a drink whilst we catch up on the team news. There's some nice artwork with a nod to the past of some of the legends that have played for Donny Rovers. Charlie Williams made 151 appearances for the club and was one of the first black players to play professional football after the Second World War. He later became famous when he became a comic on the ITV show, The Comedians - his catchphrase was "me old flower." He used to respond to racist hecklers by shouting out: "shut up or I'll buy a house next door to you." How sad is that?
Former Rovers goalkeeper, Harry Gregg, is also remembered. He played for the club 94 times in the 1950s. He joined the 'Busby Babes' at Manchester United in 1957, for what was a world record fee for a goalkeeper at that time. He became one of the heroes of the Munich Air Disaster, helping save the lives of some of his colleagues, including Bobby Charlton, by dragging them out of the burning wreckage.
We're sat in the Press box and to be honest there's not much to report on apart from a successfully converted penalty by Lee Molyneux. Huddersfield Town are disappointing. They have little threat in front of goal, with the irony being that they have farmed out striker Joe Taylor to Wigan on loan, who is scoring goals for fun. Thanks by the way Dean, it's another ground ticked off.
I've just the one midweek day off work this week. I make good use of it by cleaning the house from top to bottom and preparing a slow cooker dinner which is braised beef with soy and mushrooms. Cooking did involve a walk down to the worst supermarket in Western Europe (Carlton Tesco). But I'm pleased to report that the visit passed without any incidents, apart from an old lady's bank card not working at the tills.
There's always time for a scoop or two on a day off. I slope off to Junkyard, a laid-back craft ale house, located down an alley off Weekday Cross. I enjoy a couple of quality crafts from Beak in Berkshire and Garage from Barcelona. A third of a pint of Centaur Army from Neon Raptor hits the spot and sees me off for the evening.
It's Saturday morning and we both enjoy a few extra hours in bed. The rain has cleared and the sun is shining as I place my football bet. I continue to read the Les Dawson autobiography called A Clown Too Many, that Mark E Smith from The Fall recommended. Dawson tells a good yarn and writes beautifully. It's an incredibly sad tale of his early life living in the slums of Collyhurst, in Manchester, to a succession of failed jobs at the Co-op and Hoover, where he sold vacuums to customers in Moss Side. It's a riveting read and well worth £3, the price of a bus ride.
Ms Moon very kindly drops me off on the A60. I nearly nodded off listening to Radio 2 DJ Emma Willis. The BBC play it safe these days by hiring bland presenters with non personas. I do have a pub to tick off in the town called The Pavilion, which is a long walk away and not open until 2 pm. I want to watch this game with a clear head. I walk up Quarry Lane and go through the turnstile of the Ian Greaves Upper Stand. It's only 1.45pm.
It gives the Mansfield Town DJ the opportunity to spin a few of his favourite tunes and he doesn't disappoint. We're treated to Mia by Wunderhorse and Shawshank by The Royston Club - it's like being at Carlton Town.
'The Lincoln' arrive on the back of a 15 match unbeaten run. They are brimming with confidence, but are without Freddie Draper, who was exceptional last week. The pitch is a quagmire. Arteta's Arsenal aren't going to enjoy it here, in the FA Cup, in a few weeks time. Both teams struggle to control the ball and stay on their feet.
Lincoln control the game in the first half. Their 21 year old Ukrainian midfielder Ivan Varfarlomeev is pulling all the strings in the middle of the park. The Imps get the goal they deserve shortly before the break from the penalty spot after Jack 'Magic Man' Moylan is brought down. Street makes no mistake. At least it means the gobby youth sat in front of me pipes down after moaning about Lincoln's foul play and direct tactics for 45 minutes.
Nigel Clough gets stuck into his troops at the break and makes a couple of changes. It seems to work as the Stags up their game. They are unlucky to see two penalty appeals waved away by the official. A couple of shots whistle over the bar or go wide of the upright.
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Lincoln look lethargic. The two substitutes, Jefferies and Bayliss, combine to put the game to bed. 2-0 flatters them but it won't bother the noisy 2000 fans behind the goal who have backed their team all day. I stand on my own at the end to watch the coaching staff, players and fans celebrate as one. I've been sat on my hands for over 95 minutes.
Attendance: 9,773
Player of the Match: Sonny Bradley
Best Record I Heard on the Radio This Week: New Leaf, The Reds, Pinks and Purples
Best Real Ale I've Supped This Week: Centaur Army, Pastry Stout from Neon Raptor
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