Match: v Northwich Victoria - Blue Square Premier

Date: Saturday, April 26th, 2008

Result: Northwich 0 Cambridge United 2

THE JOURNEY

Departure Time: 11am

Arrival at Ground: The journey was easy enough and weather was warm enough (just) to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee beside the duck pond at Stafford Services. But these strange kick-off times play havoc with a number of things including meal times and judging departure times - which might explain how I managed to arrive at the ground at about 2.15pm for a 5.15pm kick-off.

Admittedly I did need to be there reasonably early for an on-air chat into half-time of the 3pm commentary match, so while I sat in an otherwise deserted stadium others in the party made the short walk across the adjacent canal to watch Witton Albion play Worksop Town in a ground that was better than several in the Conference. About fifty other United fans had the same idea and they were made very welcome by the Witton officials and supporters. Although the kick-off times dovetailed nicely, such is the rivalry between Northwich and Witton that only a few Vics fans went to both games, and those that did stood with the Worksop supporters.

AT THE GROUND

The Ground: Set on the rural edge of Northwich, but overshadowed by a considerably less pastoral salt works, the Marston's Arena is new enough and, from the outside in particular, smart enough, but Vics seem to be competing for attention at their own ground. A large sign at the edge of the car park welcomes you to the home of Manchester United reserves and that same club is spelled out in large letters to the left of a glass fronted reception area, while Northwich Victoria is in similar sized letters to the right.

To the left of reception, a glass fronted sports bar was doing good business before the match while to the right is a restaurant with windows that provide an airy and light atmosphere but make it look like a conservatory.

I gained access to the press area via the players tunnel which contains an interview area for MUTV and the Man United theme continues inside the ground with a predominance of advertising boards promoting the Premiership club's television station and the benefits of becoming an 'official member of MUFC'.

The stadium is rather a curate's egg of a ground: good in parts. The good parts include the large stand of comfortable seats that runs virtually the length of one side of the pitch, although the metalwork that encases the windows to the corporate rooms at the back of the stand is painted that faintly nauseous pea green you used to get in the waiting rooms of old fashioned doctor's surgeries.

Facing this stand is a cavernous covered terrace, which is another of the good parts and in stark contrast to the uncovered, unterraced standing areas behind either goal. Each of these is backed by soulless breezeblock and is distinguishable from the other only by the rusting hulk of the salt works and the storage sheds that create a post-apocalyptic landscape behind one end of the ground.

This lack of structure at either end gives the ground a minimalist feel that gives the impression of being windswept on all but the warmest of summer days. The leaden skies that presided over most of our visit ensured that this was not one of those balmy days.

The odd start time was due, of course, to the whims of television. As they wanted to show a live game from the final round of matches, we all had to adapt to a synchronised 5.15pm kick-off. However, as this was not the match selected to be televised, kick-off was 5.15 rather than 5.15ish and there was no bevy of mirror-bearing make-up girls ready to preen the presenters.

United Fans: Another excellent turnout, and they celebrated a second place finish in style. It was a good day for United fans with one of them winning the half time draw.

At the end of the match the Northwich Safety Officer made a point of saying how good our fans are and what to credit to the club he thought they were.

View from Away End: A large terrace, so there was plenty of space to find an excellent view.

Home Fans: Northwich fans were also in the mood to celebrate after watching their side complete the most unlikely of escapes from certain relegation. They were ready to party throughout and after the match were, by and large, generous with their good wishes for United's fortunes in the play-offs.

When the final whistle went the majority of the home fans made their way round to the main stand where various end of season awards were made to the Northwich manager and players. Although this was a good idea, the fact that it took place around the press box and was accompanied by interminable speeches was more than a little irksome for the members of the fourth estate with post match work to do.

Police/Stewards: Although there were plenty on duty, all seemed very pleasant - particularly at the end when they congratulated the U's fans.

Programme: £2 for 40 A5 pages, this 'Special Staying Up Edition' sold out quickly before the game. Those who did manage to get hold of a copy will have been able to read a good interview with Jimmy Quinn and an interesting article about the 'asset stripping' antics of Mansfield Town's owner, but struggled to find too much else of tremendous interest.

Food/Drink: Tea and coffee were both okay but burgers (£2.25) were a little on the cold side... if you could get them. There were long queues and they ran out of many items before kick-off.

State of Toilets: Some of the most spacious in the Conference, they were reasonably clean too.

AFTERWARDS

The Journey Home: We left the ground with second place secure and 'Coconuts' playing on the CD - what better way of ending the regular season? Let's hope the play-offs are equally enjoyable.

Mileage: 361.8 miles

Total Distance for Season: 6,518.4

Mark Johnson, with additional reporting by David Gray, Paul Johnson, Ryan Johnson and Gordon McMillan

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