Haven't felt so proud in a long time

Our day started leaving Milton Keynes with a 3 and a bit drive in front of us. Nothing like some of the hardy souls from Bristol. I managed to convince a Man United season ticket holder to swap his prawn sarnies for a mars bar a Bovril in the search of a "propa" game of football.

The ground resembled something of a Wild Wild West themed ride you would see at a theme park. Wooden facia and plenty of serving hatches. Most of which bolted shut, a sense of how busy the place would of been in years gone by. The Grimsby fans in the far corner were in great voice to fair doing their own version of the Lech Poznan.

Grimsby started quite brightly John-Lewis, Jolley looked sharp. Started to worry that this could be another hard afternoon. I have a bad habit of picking so of the lesser away performances. Dartford, Braintree, Barnet & Woking four of my away trips!

Despite Grimsby being on top, we were organised. At times having all 11 players in our own half but we were waiting for our time in the game. I've found as a coach games will have swings in momentum. It is unlikely you will ever dominate a whole game. Its how you deal with these spells that counts. We defended their spell superbly. I have had my doubts about McCrystal since Barnet but he continues to grow on me. Him and Parkes were immense yesterday.

Lockyear another that deserves so much praise. His ball winning skills as a defender are an asset in CM but he began to play a bit yesterday and deservedly got his goal. Him and Mansell are not the most creative midfield pairing but they don't have give their all. Every minute of every game.

Dawson - A non league Ronaldo might be a bit too far but jesus he beats people for fun. His decision making at times could be slightly improved. At one point tried to dribble out when it probably wasn't on. However he as the ability going forward but works hard going back.

Blissett - If you judge a fish by his ability to climb a tree it will forever think it is stupid. I say this because I haven't rated him and me like many others want him to be this power house of a centre forward. He isn't that BUT yesterday he WAS awkward to defend against, retained the ball with his feet well. I am warming to him. Still want Easter back though.

The Fans - I have at times on here been critical, we have taken large followings to Woking, Nuneaton & Dartford with little voice at all when it should have felt like a home game. My title of the post relates to this. Havent felt this proud since Wembley. Singing for the majority of the game. I am a Darrell fan and have been from the beginning not just from what I have heard myself but a coach I did my pro licence with knows him from Hartlepool. He is going to go far. I do however know that he has to win others over. That's part of football but to hear the fans signing Darrell Clarkes barmy army non stop at 0-0 I couldn't feel prouder. We were all together, it didn't feel like a broken club. The Gasheads were back.

My only regret is I have dragged my 15 year old brother all over the place following us preaching of away days like yesterday, where we sing non stop and generally have a great day. He has been to Braintree, Barnet, Altrincham, Dartford, Woking with me. Yesterday due to him being on holiday was his first game he has missed. I am gutted for him, yesterday is exactly what I have been preaching to him about for the last 5 months.

Our day started leaving Milton Keynes with a 3 and a bit drive in front of us. Nothing like some of the hardy souls from Bristol. I managed to convince a Man United season ticket holder to swap his prawn sarnies for a mars bar a Bovril in the search of a "propa" game of football.

The ground resembled something of a Wild Wild West themed ride you would see at a theme park. Wooden facia and plenty of serving hatches. Most of which bolted shut, a sense of how busy the place would of been in years gone by. The Grimsby fans in the far corner were in great voice to fair doing their own version of the Lech Poznan.

Grimsby started quite brightly John-Lewis, Jolley looked sharp. Started to worry that this could be another hard afternoon. I have a bad habit of picking so of the lesser away performances. Dartford, Braintree, Barnet & Woking four of my away trips!

Despite Grimsby being on top, we were organised. At times having all 11 players in our own half but we were waiting for our time in the game. I've found as a coach games will have swings in momentum. It is unlikely you will ever dominate a whole game. Its how you deal with these spells that counts. We defended their spell superbly. I have had my doubts about McCrystal since Barnet but he continues to grow on me. Him and Parkes were immense yesterday.

Lockyear another that deserves so much praise. His ball winning skills as a defender are an asset in CM but he began to play a bit yesterday and deservedly got his goal. Him and Mansell are not the most creative midfield pairing but they don't have give their all. Every minute of every game.

Dawson - A non league Ronaldo might be a bit too far but jesus he beats people for fun. His decision making at times could be slightly improved. At one point tried to dribble out when it probably wasn't on. However he as the ability going forward but works hard going back.

Blissett - If you judge a fish by his ability to climb a tree it will forever think it is stupid. I say this because I haven't rated him and me like many others want him to be this power house of a centre forward. He isn't that BUT yesterday he WAS awkward to defend against, retained the ball with his feet well. I am warming to him. Still want Easter back though.

The Fans - I have at times on here been critical, we have taken large followings to Woking, Nuneaton & Dartford with little voice at all when it should have felt like a home game. My title of the post relates to this. Havent felt this proud since Wembley. Singing for the majority of the game. I am a Darrell fan and have been from the beginning not just from what I have heard myself but a coach I did my pro licence with knows him from Hartlepool. He is going to go far. I do however know that he has to win others over. That's part of football but to hear the fans signing Darrell Clarkes barmy army non stop at 0-0 I couldn't feel prouder. We were all together, it didn't feel like a broken club. The Gasheads were back.

My only regret is I have dragged my 15 year old brother all over the place following us preaching of away days like yesterday, where we sing non stop and generally have a great day. He has been to Braintree, Barnet, Altrincham, Dartford, Woking with me. Yesterday due to him being on holiday was his first game he has missed. I am gutted for him, yesterday is exactly what I have been preaching to him about for the last 5 months.