Match: v Leyton Orient - Coca-Cola League Two

Date: Saturday, March 12th, 2005

Result: Orient 1 Cambridge United 1

THE JOURNEY

Departure Time: 11.30am

Arrival at Ground: It was a straightforward hour down the M11, so we were in plenty of time to find a side street in which to park just a short walk from the ground. In fact we were slightly too early for the myriad ticket office staff, some of whom had to nip out to the printers to get the press tickets ready... apparently.

AT THE GROUND

The Ground: So much has changed since our last visit to Brisbane Road just over nine months ago. The intervening months have seen the ground undergoing some serious redevelopment work, which meant that just two sides were available.

The old, wooden-flooded stand along one side - in which U's fans, and the majority of everyone else for that matter, were housed - was still there, as was the new stand behind the goal to the left. This stand looked not unlike a red-seated clone of our South Stand, although windows at the base of the front suggested that it's interior was being used.

That was where the similarity to the ground ended though, as the stands on the other two sides had been demolished. The towering concrete and steel and concrete superstructure of a new stand faces the old Main Stand. As high as the 'South Stand clone' with 'steps' awaiting the application of seats, it is then twice as high again with what will become a double bank of executive boxes, which give it a decidedly top-heavy appearance.

The area behind the remaining goal is filled with an impressive assemblage of portacabins and portaloos behind a chipboard fence.

The pitch could have done with some redevelopment too. Presumably because of the open end, it was uneven and unpredictable. One goalmouth was particularly bad, and it was interesting to note that Orient's Head Groundsman Adrian Martin rolled that area at half time so the home keeper had a flatter surface than John Ruddy had suffered before the break.

United Fans: Still coming in ten minutes after the start, a significant number of U's fans found their way into home sections of the ground after failing to get tickets for the away end. Sensibly, they remained seated throughout - unlike the majority in the away section who failed to notice that seats had been provided.

View from Away End: Early arrivals had the chance to see some of the sites of London, with Canary Wharf clearly visible over the one stand behind the goal and a view of 'the gherkin' through the stand under construction.

The view of the pitch itself was good, apart from a few inconsiderate columns in the way. And it would have been even better if the majority of United fans had decided to sit down.

Home Fans: There was a cracking atmosphere throughout much of the match, most of which was provided by the travelling fans. Other than after their goal, and a brief period during which they suggested United's fate at the end of the season, Orient supporters were quieter than church mouse with laryngitis applying to join a Trappist monastery.

Police/Stewards: The mixture of standing fans and those looking for their allocated seat in the away section, coupled with the minimal input from stewards meant that there were scenes almost as chaotic as last season. Their policy was due in part to the way they were kept busy by the home supporters who, in the clichéd spirit of EastEnders, found the slightest excuse to get lairy with the stewards. Chief Steward, Carl Kennedy (isn't he in another soap?) in particular deserved a medal for the patient way he dealt with some of the more irrationally offensive locals.

Programme: £2.50 for 68 pages doesn't sound like a bad deal - and indeed it's not... just as long as you're not an away fan looking to read much about your team. With plenty of well-written articles for Orient fans, a plethora of photos - including two double page spreads of match action and a picture of chairman Barry Hearn looking the epitome of studied nonchalance - the only thing that let it down was a front cover photo that had been blown up beyond the point of sharpness.

Food/Drink: Hot dogs were scrumptious while the tea was acceptable.

State of Toilets: Although the facilities weren't too bad, their shared nature led to some unpleasantness when queue jumping was suspected.

THE NUMBERS

Mileage: 92.9 miles

Total Distance for Season: 5,599.2 miles

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

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