Charitable Road to Wembley

Finally back from a 570 mile round trip to Fleetwood and it was exhausting for all of us.The support we got from Fleetwood Town Football Club was fantastic, whilst the club policy is no collections inside the ground, and we followed that ruling, they really did work hard to make the fundraising a success. We were given a prime location by the club main gates and that was where lots of the home fan left. We were given a signed ball, and 3 replica shirts. I was invited to take part in the Captain Cod Challenge on the pitch at half time, normally it is 1 home and 1 away supporter who have 5 shots at a "target goal" containing 5 holes. The result was Burton supporter 0 goals, Fleetwood supporter 0 goals, Ipswich Valley Rangers 2 goals and winner! Not quite sure how that happened. The good thing is I was introduced to the crowd with an explanation of why someone from Ipswich was at the game, details were also put on the large screen.The game itself was a very cautious affair with neither team throwing too many men forward in the first half and it resulted in no real clear cut chances. The second half started in the same manner, with both teams comfortable on the ball, but not really looking to concede, it was a bit of a turgid affair. As the game wore on Fleetwood started to press forward more and Gareth Evans cut inside and let fly with a cracking shot from 25 yards that came back off the inside of the post with the keeper nowhere.As the pace of the match increased the game started to get a little stretched and chances started to come. With just over 5 minutes to go Fleetwood scored from a corner with Jeff Hughes stabbing the ball over the line. With time running out Burton Albion pushed hard for an equalizer and got their reward with an equalizing goal in added time.As the match finished the rain came down and the Fleetwood supporters began to leave. Unfortunately the rain, and the late goal, meant collection was not quite as good as it could have been. 1 man did make a very generous £20 donation, he did it without saying much and then melted into the crowd. Whoever he was god bless him.With the ball and the 3 shirts to sell it should boost the collection to over £100.We also bumped into 2 other Suffolk men who have also been to every game from the Bury Town vs Thurrock match onwards. Final score 1-1

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