2019/20: An Incredible Journey. Match Day 2 – Saturday 03 August 2019: Barnsley v Fulham
So Match Day 1 saw me get to see one of my ‘must watch teams’ this season, Stenhousemuir, ticked off the list and as fate would have it, the first game of the English season throws up Barnsley versus Fulham just down the road. So I get an immediate opportunity to tick another team off my list, that being the Cottagers, Fulham FC.
I’ve seen Fulham on a number of occasions, the last being the first game of the 2016/17 season versus Newcastle United. The most memorable by far though is the Boxing Day game (actually played on 27 December) at Stamford Bridge in 1976 in the old Second Division. I went with my Dad and cousin David, the crowd was 55,003 which I will always remember as I like to think we were the three! Anyway on the pitch that day for Fulham were Bobby Moore, George Best and Rodney Marsh and Chelsea had the last of the old guard, Peter Bonetti in goal, and the new generation with a 20 year old Ray Wilkins captaining the side. Chelsea won 2 – 0 and went on to be promoted that season.
Back to Match Day 2, Oakwell, the home of Barnsley is a new ground for me, and I was really looking forward to the game and got a tingle as I walked down Belgrave Road with the stadium coming into view at the bottom of the hill. Walking to the ground has always been a highlight for me, it probably goes back to that first game. I get goose bumps as I approach the ground and the crowds begin to swell the closer to the stadium you get. I was in the front row of the Beckett Stand, which is slightly below pitch level which meant that the view was a good one from the corner of the ground.
It was a typical first game of the season with both teams testing each other out, but not creating too many clear cut chances. Barnsley scored early on and it didn’t look as if either team would add to the scoresheet.
Two games down, two new grounds and both teams on my list losing….The beginning of season didn’t bode well for ‘my teams’.
Saturday 03 August 2019
Sky Bet Championship
Barnsley 1 (Thomas 12’) Fulham 0
Venue: Oakwell Stadium
Attendance: 14,823
Barnsley: Sahin-Radinger, Sibbick, Diaby, Anderson, Cavare, McGeehan, Mowatt, Thomas (Chaplin 86’), Bahre, Wilks (Thiam 90’), Woodrow (Miller 90’)
Unused substitutes: Collins. Williams, Halme, Styles
Fulham: Bettinelli, Odoi, Mawson, Le Marchand (Christie 33’), Bryan, McDonald, Johansen (Knockhaert 65’), Cairney, Kamara, Mitrovic, Cavalero (Ayte 74’)
Unused substitutes: Rodak, Kebano, De La Torre, Rui Fonte
Steve Blighton