Yet, my comfort ended though it had seemingly only just begun.
My alarm awoke me around 6,20 to begin what would be a great day.
By 6,45 I was in the back seat of Andrew (Mackinnon's) car bound for Southampton.
My mood: tired and sore. But there a pillow nestled against my head to ease my weary eyes.
Regardless, we (Mack, Matty, Loyd, and I) were headed to see Southampton face Blackpool in at 12,45 kickoff.
The 3 1/2 hour car ride included a stop for £11 full English at a service station. Although tempted, I settled for the quiet £4.10 strip of bacon, 1 egg, and toast deal. (some deal...)
I also learned that the South has much better weather than the north. xD
I felt spoiled by that fact as it had to be a 10 degree temperature difference, with a sun included!
We arrived in Southampton somewhere around noon-ish and after being disappointed by the mega store for not having medium kits we headed for the stands. We said "goodbye" to Loyd was sat with the rest of the Blackpool lot and shortly after I got my first glimpse of Saint Mary's Stadium.
The match already had an atmosphere that surpassed Doncaster with ease.
And to add my excitement for the match, Rickie Lambert was fit and in the starting XI.
After Guly's poor performance in Doncaster, the re-addition of Lambert to the starting XI [missed Doncaster due to injury] gave Guly's form a huge boost. Lambert made his first impact on the match at the half hour mark when he finished off a collective effort thru Lallana and Cork. Lambert had a chance to double his money on a 1v1 with the keeper, but Gilks made a superb stop on a shot that seemed destined for the back of the net. The Saint's had several great opportunities to add to their tally, but were unable to do so. And unfortunately, Blackpool's Chris Basham would level the match 9 minutes before halftime.
Following the two goals in the 1st half, the 2nd would prove to be a more wide open contest. Blackpool can give credit to Bialkowski for their second goal after Bialkowski botched the save and saw it dribble thru his legs and slowly roll into the net. A dismal, mood breaking moment.
The Callum McManaman goal would serve to be the decisive goal for the rest of the 2nd half as the Saint's, who had several opportunities go begging wide or over top the bar, tried to equalize. When the full 90 was up, the 4th official granted 5 minutes of stoppage time. In the 93rd, Frazer Richardson sent in a cross that happily met Rickie Lambert's head who sent it straight to the back of the net. As you could imagine, St. Mary's Stadium went mental. Lambert's 2nd of the night would seal the draw when the ref blew the final whistle.
Southampton Starting XI: Bartosz Bialkowski, Frazer Richardson, Jose Fonte, Jos Hooiveld, Daniel Fox, Morgan Schneiderlin, Dean Hammond, Jack Cork, Adam Lallana, Guly Do Prado, Rickie Lambert.
Southampton Subs: Steve De Ridder, Ben Reeves, Lee Holmes, Aaron Martin, Dan Harding.
Blackpool Starting XI: Matthew Gilks, Neal Eardley, Ian Evatt, Craig Cathcart, Stephen Crainey, Ludovic Sylvestre, Barry Ferguson, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Matt Phillips, Chris Basham, Callum McManaman.
Blackpool Subs: Lomana Tresor LuaLua, Thomas Ince, Martinez Angel, Kevin Phillips, Mark Howard.
Southampton 2 (Lamert 30', 93') : Blackpool 2 (Basham 36', McManaman 49')
With the draw and the 1 point, Southampton found themselves remaining atop the Championship table. West Ham once again missed an opportunity to level Southampton on points as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Reading.
I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere at the match and hope to be able to see future matches. It is definitely a next to none experience as Southampton have fantastic supporters. I really have to thank Andrew Mackinnon for driving as without him, it wouldn't have been possible - and I have to thank him for making me a Saint. COYR!
Photo with Lee Barnard as he was leaving St. Mary's Stadium.
Top of the "To Meet" list remain Lambert and Lallana.
And just for Mackinnon, his, "I'm too tired for this" face:
For the full album of Southampton vs. Blackpool, feel free to visit my Facebook page.
