As I was flicking through the TV guide last night I came across some live football. I thought great live football, but then I read on that it was a League One game.
I had second thoughts about watching the game between Bristol Rovers and Charlton, but being a Soccerholic I sat down and thought what the Hell I’ll give it a try.
Glad
As soon as the game kicked off I was glad I decided to tune in. Everything about the game impressed me. As somebody that doesn’t see much lower league action, I was given a pleasant surprise by the game. It had everything skill, passion and controversy. The game finished with a 2-1 victory to Bristol Rovers.
Horrible
After just 12 seconds Bristol Rovers midfielder Dominic Blizzard produced an awful tackle on young Charlton full-back Grant Basey and the youngster was stretchered off. The referee decided to issue only a yellow card but if he had seen the replays that the television viewer got then surely he would have dismissed Blizzard without argument.
I think the commentator called it a horrible tackle and horrible was the right word. Basey received ankle ligament damage but it was first feared he had broken his leg. Our best wishes go out to the youngster and I hope he is back playing very soon.
Blood and Thunder
The game was a good old fashioned blood and thunder encounter. It was the sort of game that we used to see in the Premier League in bygone days. However the style of the game was still superb and it was great to watch. I don’t know if this is usually how exciting League One is but if it I will have to watch more games from the third tier of English football.
Officials
One thing that didn’t impress me much was the officials. The number of mistakes in the game from the match officials was incredible. The referee Peter Kettle was close enough to see the Blizzard challenge on Basey in the first 20 seconds to dismiss the midfielder.
However he chose only to give him a yellow card. Nobody could believe it. I believe some action should now be taken against Blizzard as it was a tackle which could have broken Basey’s leg. Only Blizzard will know what he was thinking as he made the challenge.
Big Threat
Bristol Rovers second goal scorer was striker Paul Heffernan with a superbly taken finish. Heffernan could be described as a journeyman but in this game he gave the Charlton no peace and could really have had a hat-trick.
The Irish striker is currently on-loan at the Gashead’s from Doncaster Rovers, where he was top goal scorer last season, in fact his goals helped keep Donnie in the Championship. The 28 year-old has also had a loan-spell at Oldham earlier in the season.
His contract with Doncaster expires at the end of the season and he is considering his next move. I believe he has the ability to play in the Championship again and it would be worth a side at that level to take a chance on the striker.
Atmosphere
The crowd generated a superb atmosphere and provided Rovers with a good platform for victory. With crowds not always the biggest in the lower leagues of English football they were a credit to their club. It wasn’t just the home fans who produced a good atmosphere, even when they were losing the away fans were still singing.
Learning Curve
At times we get blinded by the glitz and glamour of the Premier League and forget that the lower leagues of English football have a lot to offer us football fans. This game has certainly opened my eyes to the excitement available in the lower leagues of English football and I’ll be sure to look out for more live League One games in the future.
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