Cup

The culmination of a weekend of FA Cup groundhopping saw me at the Pirelli Stadium where League One Burton Albion were hosting League Two Northampton Town. More prosaically: Brewers v Cobblers.  

All the matches this weekend kicked off a minute late to promote a mental health campaign. Here, the players are grouped behind a campaign banner just before kick off.

Northampton stunned Burton by racing into a three goal lead, although the Brewers pulled one back before the break. Burton came back much sharper in the second half and it looked like a come back might be on, but the Cobblers got a fourth on the break which killed the game off. A late consolation for Burton wasn’t enough. 2-4 it finished.

Burton’s ground is one of the smallest in the Football League,  reflecting their rapid and impressive ascent from non-league football, but there was still a good atmosphere aided by a trong Northampton following.

This had been my third game in 28 hours, having travelled down to Birmingham on Saturday for a noon kick off between Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers. The home side won 2-1 with a last minute goal. 

From there it had been a dash back to the station and then an hour’s journey to Leicester for a 17.30 game between Leicester City and Wigan Athletic. A much changed Leicester team was still too much for Wigan, and two first half goals were enough for a comfortable win.  I stayed in Leicester for the night before the shortish journey to Burton via Derby.

All three grounds were new to me. I think I preferred the traditional shape and situation of Birmingham City’s St Andrews. Leicester’s was another banal bowl next to a retail/leisure park. 

In between times I did have time for a little urban wandering in Birmingham, Leicester, Derby and Burton with a few nice ghost signs and plaques to ass to my photographic collection.