Pagey picked me up at 10:00, late as usual!! Couldn't believe we got to Oxford in only 2 hours and met up with Barnard who only works 20 odd miles down the road. Went to a Ten Pin Bowling place / Sports Bar to watch Chelsea v Arsenal, which finished 5-3 to Arsenal and was a great game. Was some weird Oxford fans in the Sports Bar, with one woman listening to her radio all the time and eating a pack up she brought with her... How is that allowed? We left the Sports Bar and outside it had all kicked off - Police were failing to control the Port Vale hooligans it seemed at first but then it just seemed to be the usual OTT police just winding everyone up and trying to exert their authority. We sat in the Oxford fans behind the goal - Decent ground (although only 3 sides at the moment) especially in comparison to The Manor Ground, which has got to be in my top 3 worst ever grounds visited. Game was rather decent actually considering it was a league two tie, first goal scored by the forgotten DOOOOOBBBBSSSS (Michael Duberry), then Vale equalised, which I missed whilst trying to find out ITFC score and game rounded off by a 45 yard winning lob goal from Oxford - GREAT GOAL !! Still time for Vale to have a pen saved but Oxford did deserve the win!! Once again only a two hour drive back home. Another ground........ DONE!!

Went to this game with Hibs and met Steve there, as he is working close by. Picked Hibs up at 10am - waiting outside for ages before knocking on the door. Jo got her treats out and we were on our way! Made unbelievable time and were parked up by 12. There is a newly built bowling alley with a sports bar built adjacent to the ground which was the perfect place to watch the Chelsea v Arsenal game on Sky. We had only been sat down for 10 minutes when a lady arrived and started putting 7/8 chairs around one table before sitting down, pulling out a pack up, drink, book and pocket radio! She then spoke to some friends who arrived and then listened to the radio for the last hour, which seemed a bit unsocialable! As we left we were met by about 70/80 Port Vale fans in a big scuffle/protest at the local Police who had batons and horses. This was strange as its not a local derby and the trouble seemed to go on all game and loads more riot police kept arriving. The ground was pretty good but still lacks one stand behind one of the goals. The crowd was very good for the level but very biased. Oxford just about deserved to win but the goal that won it from just inside their own halve was a very impressive lob and not one the keeper will want to see again! Port Vale missed a late penalty. We made good time on the way home again and watched the second half of the Liverpool v West Brom game before i made by way home for the usual dog walking duties!.

Attended this game with Hibbs and Pagey. We enjoyed a couple of 4 pint pitchers whilst watching the Chelsea v Arsenal game which ended 3-5 in Arsenals favour, Excellent game. When leaving the sports bar we encounted a 60+ mob of Port Vale who were making the police work for their money ! The game was fairly entertaining with the winning goal being scored from near the halfway line ! Great strike !