I trudge down the steps of the Derek Pavis Stand at Notts County's Meadow Lane ground with disgruntled Pies fans. Grimsby Town, with their gamesmanship and time-wasting tactics, have stolen three points.
I bump into Kimberley Al and Stabbo Gaz, in a packed to the rafters King Billy pub in Sneinton. They are raging about the sending off of Lee Ndlovu by an inexperienced referee. It's a decision that turned the game on its head. I sink a pint of Lenton Lane's Cloudburst and then disappear into the night - well back home actually, as I'm on a ten hour shift in the morning (4 am-2pm)
I love a Tuesday night game; it breaks up the week. Jonny Hand has very kindly offered to pick me up on Westdale Lane. What a guy Jonny is. He selflessly gives up his time for Carlton Town. Not only does he volunteer to help out when the pitch is waterlogged, but he also spends hours upon hours down the Stoke Lane ground carrying out general maintenance, painting and groundworks. The merry band of Millers are lucky to have folk(s) like him.
What should be a straight forward journey turns into a trip from hell for many. A lorry has hit a bridge in Tollerton on the A606, there is an incident on Remembrance Way in Clifton and worst of all a car fire on the M1. We tip up in Shepshed 90 minutes later. The news is that half the players are stuck in tailbacks and there's no sign of the referee.
Shepshed is a club I have visited and followed many, many times. The Big Man and I had a mate called Iain Screaton, who was Shepshed's skipper for a few seasons. He was once sent off by Sian Massey on a Friday night at Butthole Lane. You may remember Massey and her innocent involvement in the sacking of Sky TV's sexist presenters Andy Gray and the ghastly Richard Keys, after correctly calling an offside decision.
It's announced that the game is to kick off at 8.45 pm. Many supporters and committee members have turned around and headed back home. Club sponsor and top racing tipster, Jon Gilbert and 'Biscuit' have ended up at Quorn, where Anstey Town are playing. Biscuit probably punched in the wrong postcode on Sat Nav.
At first, the late start doesn't appear to affect the visitors. But they are second best to everything in the final half an hour of the first half. There's no energy or creativity and they live a very charmed life. The Millers are in debt to the best shot-stopper in Step 4 football. 'Felix the Cat' bails out his team mates, just like he did when Shepshed visited El Stadio Stokeld earlier in the season. The woodwork is their best friend too.
Football is a cruel game, totally against the run of play Carlton take the lead through a clinical strike from Ash Chambers. We're unsure if it will save them all a bollocking at half time, as they have been miles off it. They wrestle control in the second half and look to add to their tally. The goal before half time deflates Shepshed and takes the sting out of their tail.
Spring is in the air on Thursday morning. I clear the garage out and crank up the lawn mower to give the grass its first cut of the year. I'll scarify it after it's dried out, when I can get some feed and weed on it.
I'm out again tonight, at a Notts Cricket Lovers' Meeting at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. I usually fancy a couple of scoops on a Thursday teatime. I hook up briefly, in Junkyard, with Dean Gripton and Casually Dan. We chew the fat over Carlton Town's big game at Anstey Town on Saturday. I sup a couple of craft ales from the Warpig Brewery, who are from Copenhagen. They have a tap takeover here.
Andy Afford is a guest speaker at Cricket Lovers Society. He was a left-arm spinner for Notts in the 1980s when Clive Rice was captain. He took over 400 wickets for the club. He later became a journalist and publisher. There is a humbling moment, during the question and answer part of the night, when he is lost for words and clearly moved, when asked about Clive Rice's influence on him. His dry humour is lost on some in the room.
Ms Moon mentioned a few weeks ago that she was planning to visit her sister in Malvern for the weekend. I checked the football fixtures immediately and couldn't believe my luck where Lincoln City were playing. I've been trying to complete the 92 grounds for what seems like an age now. On Saturday Cardiff City's Stadium will be my 90th.
I need a proper breakfast to fill my stomach, as I'm unlikely to eat until I check- in at my hotel in Cardiff City centre later this evening. The Hungry Pumpkin, in the Lace Market, duly oblige. The Italian owners are a great lads.
The downside of travelling by train to Wales is that the rail operator is Cross Country Trains. They were recently announced as 20th in the League table (bottom). They make EMR look world-class. Incredibly we limp into Cardiff Central on time(ish).
Another one of my hobbies is to visit as many CAMRA Heritage two star and three star pubs in the United Kingdom. There are two in Cardiff, so I might as well make hay whilst the sun shines. It's a couple of miles walk to the Royal Oak, but well worth it. A lot of boxers used to spa here back in the day.
I tick a few pubs off on my way back into town. The Pen and Wig and Tiny Rebel tap house, a brewery based in Newport, are the pick of the bunch. The Golden Cross is another pearler. It dates back to 1863 and is Cardiff's oldest gay bar.
I eat at Leonardo's hotel in the city centre. It's nowt to write home about and neither is my room. It's lights out at 10 pm as I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.
The breakfast is first-class and I'm feeling fine and dandy. It's a long walk to the ground, but you get to see so much more, such as the rugby stadia and street art. Close to Cardiff City's ground is a mural of Gary Speed who passed away in November 2011, at 42 years old. What a great player he was.
There's a plaque at Cardiff's Stadium of another iconic football figure. On 10th September, 1985, Wales and Scotland were toughing out a World Cup qualifier at Ninian Park. Scotland manager, Jock Stein, was taken ill at the end of the game and passed away in the club's medical room.
I'm through the turnstile 90 minutes before kick off. I want to savour the build up and atmosphere. Lincoln City will go above Cardiff should they win today. I love a DJ who wants to play the stuff he or she likes, rather than the commercial tosh forced upon 'em like Freed From Desire (yawn). Our Man on the decks plays Panic by The Smiths and Fascination Street by The Cure.
Both sets of fans ramp up the atmosphere in the stadium. Over 3,000 have hit the road early from Lincoln for the 400 mile round trip. Boy oh boy these Welsh fans can sing. Lincoln settle quickly in a cagey opening. They are happy to surrender possession to the League leaders.
Cardiff find some rhythm and start to get the ball wide. There's a five minute spell where Imps 'keeper George Wickens keeps them in the game with some excellent saves. The half time whistle comes at a good time for the visitors. I text my brother to share my anxiety.
Nottingham-born Lincoln captain Tendai Darirwa has been outstanding and reads the game like a book. He plays his role in Lincoln's opener. Street shrugs off a challenge, House plays a reverse pass back to his partner, 'Quality Street' does the rest. The Cardiff fans sing no more.
Lincoln are magnificent. Gaps appear as Cardiff abandon the safety of tippy tappy ball. McGrandles puts in Jeffries who drives forward, cuts inside and unleashes a shot that nestles in the corner of the net. The away following are bouncing 'The Cardiff' leave in their droves.
Attendance: 27,280
Player of the Match: Tendai Darikwa
Best Record Heard on the Radio This Week: Jack Penate, Tonight's Today
Best Beer Supped This Week: Mumbles Haze, Mumbles Brewery, in Swansea
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