A bad night out

What is the world coming to? Pubs shutting when they want to. Not for the first time this year, The Horse and Groom was closed on a match day. Below the the handwritten note saying 'under new management' was a printed sheet of paper saying the pub was closed , and will be again on Saturday. The place has only just re-opened for Christ sake. Helpfully the note suggested we go to the Royal Oak. The bar staff can't cope with the customers from one pub, let alone two. Ironically we had just been in the Oak.

It really was a bad day all round. We met in London for a pint or two and caught the train to Charlton. Now having a beer before you start the journey seems like a good idea. But three stops down the track and you're busting for the loo. By the time we arrived at Charlton things were becoming urgent. We also realised that we needed a cashpoint if we were to have more than one drink. There used to be a cashpoint by the station, but this was obviously too convenient so it has been removed. From there we had to try to establish priorities - piss or pounds!

In years gone by we have used the Conservative club as the Essex Branch base for ticket collections. But these days they want to charge two quid each just to get in. Don't think so!

With groin suitably clenched we went to the cashpoint by the club shop. Out of order. Bugger. Does the newly refurbished Royal Oak have a cash machine in it? Does it hell. A quick visit to the Oak did allow us to use the facilities though. This was when we moved onto the Horse and Groom where we discovered it couldn't be arsed to open. This did cause a problem as we were supposed to meet Matt, Toby and the Basildon boys. Unable to make phone contact with anyone we meandered around to Bartrams. This too has been done up in recent times. We clubbed together to get a quick pint in and stayed there.

A disruptive pre-match routine was matched by a disruptive game. Although Sheffield United had probably the smallest away support (though ours is usually smaller in midweek) their team soon got to grips with our formation and took the lead. Even injury time didn't provide the usual standard of entertainment. We looked good at the start of each half and went close early in the second. But in the end you have to hold your hands up and say, probably for the first time this season, we were beaten by a better team.

The 3-0 defeat hurt after so much recent success. People on message boards have recently been saying how we should prepare for the Premiership. This might be the reality check they need. Let's just focus on the next game against Burnley. Oh Blimey they just won away at Watford!

Up The Addicks!

Robin