Alternative Away Day - Droylsden

6pm Tuesday evening at The Bird, a few liveners are sunk then a bus containing some of the finest specimens of Trafford Fandom hits the road to Droylsden. Our driver took a crazy convoluted route that went past Old Trafford AND The Etihad, but he managed to deliver us to another of Manchester’s great stadiums – The Butchers Arms – with time to neck a couple in The Beehive next door.

For the first half the FunBus Crew took up residence in the Pigeon End of the ground, and we were joined by numerous other Trafford Ultras who’d made the journey by car or tram. We had TWO flags, and our well lubricated voices were in fine fettle as the game kicked off. "He's Shauny" Yeldrem playing right wingback, was having some early joy against The Bloods leftback. In the 13th minute he put in a super cross and Burnzee got on the end of it to put us one up…… but the flag went up. Cue yet another new song from the TFC Choir – “The Liner’s On Spice!”

After 35 minutes another fine Yeldrem cross found the man Burnzeeee on fire again and this time it counted! 1-0 to the Superyellows and scenes of delirious player/fan celebrations amongst the pigeon droppings at the front of the stand!

Within five minutes though Droylsden equalised to make it 1-1 at half time. It had been a close half but we felt Trafford had shaded it and as we ate pies and drank Stella, we were confident our heroes would prevail.

In the 2nd half we positioned ourselves in the wooden stand down the side of the ground and our support of Tom & the Boys continued, even when Droylsden snuck 2-1 ahead thanks to a penalty ("The Ref is on Spice!").

Tom made a couple of changes and you could see Trafford start to take control. Jack "He's Dorney" was pulling the strings, Mini Mason / Linwood / Langy were looking impenetrable, Rydings-Rydings brought a buzz to the midfield with his workrate, Lozzy-T started to stride through the Bloods players like Pogba should, and Ally Brown's first appearance for ages saw renewed energy on the right wing on what was a strength sapping muddy pitch.

With ten minutes to go Yeldrem had gone off but we were singing a completely different "He's Shauny" song because it was "He's Seanie" Sean Miller who crashed a wicked shot past the Droylsden keeper for our equalizer! Magic!

Trafford didn't leave it there though - No sir! Not sure who it was but we hit the post with a late header that would've surely won it. So penalties it was.....

We all hotfooted back to the Pigeon Stand which is the end where the penners would be taken. Droylsden went first...... and "Let's Talk About Shents Baby" saved it like the class keeper he is!

Burnzee was Jonny-on-the-spot again, then Droylsden hit the bar! Trafford in pole position now. Lozzy-T's penner was saved, then the Bloods scored, but two more Trafford bags and a Droylsden miss saw us take the glory with a 3-1 shoot out win. Ace!

We had time for a swift pint in The Butchers Clubhouse before departing back to Urmston in a bus full of happy clappers & singers. A Cup Final reached, FC United waiting at a venue TBA - a rumour started circulating that it could be played in Vegas (Nevada USA, not Staly, Adrian!!) on July 4th with the Manchester FA paying for everyone to travel......hmmmmm. For now though, we piled off the bus and straight into Wetherspoons for a final final pint or three (except Cappy who insisted on going to watch Elvis Murphy in The Three Barrels!) and that was the end of a great night - a school night too! See you on Saturday! #Traffordallovertheworld.

Muggsy