Southampton @ Peterborough

It was another Saints away trip on Tuesday!
And the best part about weekday matches: being able to wake up at a normal hour. :]
Myself, Andrew and his dad Ken hit the road to Peterborough around 1530 for the 1945 kickoff.
Ken's redemption was ensuring all 3 tickets arrived with us! :D
I think Andrew's nerves were more than enough for the other two in the car.
But to be fair, Saints were inching closer and closer to a Premiership return.



If the match at Peterborough concludes my season, it has been a great run!
Ice hockey will take over the next two weekends and they're non-miss games.
I would first and foremost like to thank Andrew for including me in the Saints' season.
There's been a tremendous atmosphere each game, unrivaled by any other experience to date.
Second, to Ken, Andrew's dad, for getting myself (and Andrew) to and from each match.
I always have a great time, regardless of result and you've both taught me well!
I know for a fact I have become a master at falling asleep in the car.
So I really, really, cannot say enough how much Saints matches have meant to me!
I know you will see us thru at Middlesbrough and at home on the final day vs. Coventry.



Photo with Saints' manager, Nigel Adkins:



As the season's end nears closer, mobiles across stadiums continued to test 3G coverage.
The Saints' push for promotion continued in Peterborough this past Tuesday evening.
With only three games remaining in the campaign, every single point is even more important.
SFC entered Tuesday evening's match 3 points behind Reading & 3 points ahead of West Ham.
Reading was hosting Nottingham and West Ham was visiting 5 point-safe Bristol City.



London Road's visitors ramped up the atmosphere before kickoff. Of the 9 1/2 thousand in the stands, Saints supporters made up a third of that-- continuing the great traveling support. After the opening kickoff, Saints supporters didn't have to wait long to have something to cheer about. Just 5 minutes into the match, Jos Hooiveld got his head onto his 7th league goal at Southampton when Fox's corner found the defender inside the box. Hooiveld seemed shaken up following the play, but continued his fine form after waving off any medical attention.

The traveling fans only settled in for a moment following Hooiveld's goal as Lallana crossed a ball from left to right to Richard Chaplow who then laid the ball off to a streaking Billy Sharp. Billy Sharp strategically placed the ball to the bottom corner, extending Saints' lead to two.

Two quick strikes from Southampton made it difficult for the Posh to settle into their own game plan. Although the Posh pushed the tempo in the midfield following Sharp's 9th minute goal, they were unable to combine for any success in their own attacking third.



The Posh had a more productive end to the first half, but the Saints were fully in control where it mattered most, on the scoreline.

The match resumed along with the wind as it gusted throughout London Road. Luckily, the rain that hung around during warmups stayed at bay. The tempo of the Saints also picked up as they looked to impose their will on the last 45 minutes. The Posh, too, continued their form from the first half as they created opportunities that they were unable to connect on.



Just under the hour mark, the Saints picked a part their host's defense for a third goal and Sharp's second of the night. It was 6 minutes later that Jos made way for defender, Aaron Martin.



Chaplow continued his search for a goal against his former manager, Darren Ferguson. He sent efforts left and right, but was unable to find the back of the net. As Chaplow's tries went begging, the opponents looked for consolation and found it on the 86th minute from a corner. The Posh goal ruined Davis' bid for another clean sheet; Peterborough 1 - Southampton 3.



Guly came on to replace Sharp as Saints looked to close out the win. Both Guly and Lambert had chances to pad their starts in added time, but sent their chances array. When the final whistle signaled, the Saints found themselves one step closer to automatic promotion.



Southampton FC Starting XI: Kelvin Davis, Danny Butterfield, Jose Fonte, Jos Hooiveld, Daniel Fox, Richard Chaplow, Jack Cork, Dean Hammond, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Billy Sharp

Saints Subs: Steve de Ridder, Frazer Richardson, Dan Harding, Guly do Prado, Aaron Martin

Peterborough United Starting XI: Paul Jones, Craig Alcock, Gabriel Zakuani, Shaun Brisley, Tommy Rowe, Lee Frecklington, George Boyd, Joe Newell, Lee Tomlin, Tyrone Barnett, Paul Taylor

Posh Subs: Mark Little, David Ball, Grant McCann, Joe Lewis, Kgosi Ntlhe

Southampton (who sit on 85 points) visit Middlesbrough on Saturday. The team find themselves one positive result away from automatic promotion. Middlesbrough are on the outside looking in as they fight for a playoff spot (currently trailing Cardiff by 4 points). Reading sealed their promotion fate with a 1-0 victory against Nottingham, although they have not wrapped up the league title just yet. Reading host Crystal Palace for a tea-time kickoff on Saturday. Trailing-West Ham were only able to muster a 1-1 draw against Bristol City. West Ham are 5 points adrift from an automatic promotion spot and have a date away to Leicester City next Monday, the 23rd.

South Coast Derby

It was another early day down to the South coast, Friday morning.
Saints were matching up against rivals Portsmouth.
This was my first chance to see a major rivalry up close.
I've watched Carolina-Duke, Yanks-Sox, OSU-Michigan, ect over the last 15+ years of my life.
But I've never BEEN there to see it first hand.
So it is difficult to say how Saints-Pompey is in comparison, but it is ridiculous.
I can say, the rivalry (like all) is taken VERY seriously!
I've never heard the phrase, "You dirty skate bastard!" used so much in just one sitting!



Our welcoming party:



Myself, Mack & Mack's dad (Ken) arrived around 11.30, ready for hamburgers.
That would be the most eventful & memorable burger I will ever eat.
When Mack asked his dad for the tickets, he gave him 2 of 3. UH-OH!
The other ticket's whereabouts? A bedside table in Manchester.
So it was up to Mack's dad to solve the dilemma.
He (and major credit to the beautiful ticket lady) came thru in flying colors.



Coming into the match, the Saints had seen their great run of form end against Blackpool in a 3-0 loss-- the first match without seeing any points in the Championship since their loss against Leicester City in mid-January. Naturally, the entire squad was looking to reverse that with a win against their South coast rivals in front of a sell out croud.

[St. Mary's was packed to the brim with 28,709 Saints supporters and 3,034 Pompey supporters, a grand total of 31,743 (via Saints). The atmosphere: electric. ]



The lunchtime kickoff began with a bang as Morgan Schneiderlin go into the book within the first two minutes. Although, Morgan's derby would end within 7 minutes as he bowed out with an apparent knee injury. He was replaced by Jack Cork who had a lively match when he entered.

The Saints definitely looked the better side during the first 45 as they were able to string together fluid passing into opportunities on Pompey's keeper, Jamie Ashdown. Pompey were able to defend well enough to keep the score-sheet goal free. But the Saints helped Pompey's defensive cause as their 1st touches in the attacking third were a bit anxious, thus unrewarding.



The match neared the half hour mark, with the Saints still well in control over the visit team. And the Saints had a "patient swagger" about them that allowed them to not become complacent with missed chances. That patience would pay dividends as Billy Sharp's continued goal success at St. Mary's gave the home supporters a lot to cheer about. On the 27th minute, he flicked a lose ball in the box into the Pompey net after a broken set piece. Saints 1; Pompey 0.



Following the goal, Pompey tried to apply more pressure which caused unsettled commotion in the Saints back line. It led to a Maguire & Pompey goal 10 minutes before the break. Saints 1; Pompey 1.

Nigel's lads would return at the halftime whistle with the continued offense success. The Saints forced Ashdown into three impressive saves, one after another via set pieces which kept the scoreline level.

When De Ridder came on to replace Guly at the hour mark, the crowd around St. Mary's felt the tension rising as the team freshened their attacking third, looking for a could-be winner. Pomepy countered the Saints aggressive move with a striker-for-striker move of their own (Dave Kitson for Kelvin Etuhu).

The match neared the dying minutes of normal time still knotted at 1. But the Saints' pressure once again paid off as Billy Sharp found himself in a position to give the Saints the lead. Although, the goal, at first, was rescinded by the linesmen. It wasn't until a discussion with the field official that the goal was given. Credit Billy Sharp, Saints 2; Pompey 1 on the 89th minute.



Saints fans were willing their team to victory in the additional four minutes. Adkins & Saints supporters rewarded Billy Sharp's performance a deserving ovation as he made way for Dan Harding. As the clock ticked on the match, unlucky defending found the visitors taking their only chance on target in the second half. An unmarked David Norris found himself at the top of the box with the ball. His rocket shot flew past the extending Kelvin Davis and into the net. Absolute bedlam in the visitors corner. Saints 2; Pompey 2.





The match concluded 2-2, another draw against Pompey-- Pompey's late equalizer spoiling the St. Mary's celebration. The derby point draws Southampton level with Reading on points at 79, but Saints leads the Championship on goal differential. West Ham remains 4 points back of the pair. The Saints visit Sellhurt Park on Monday the 9th looking to win a vital 3 points.

Southampton FC Starting XI: Kelvin Davis, Frazer Richardson, Jos Hooiveld, Jose Fonte, Daniel Fox, Guly Do Prado, Morgan Schneiderlin, Dean Hammond, Adam Lallana

Saints Subs: Dan Harding, Jack Cork, Lee Barnard, Aaron Martin, Steve De Ridder

Portsmouth FC Starting XI: Jamie Ashdown, Joel Ward, Ricardo Rocha, Jason Pearce, Karim Rekik, Greg Halford, David Norris, Scott Allan, Kelvin Etuhu, Luke Varney, Chris Maguire

Pompey Subs: Sam Magri, Marko Futacs, Ashley Harris, Luca Scapuzzi, Dave Kitson

Southampton FC 2 (Sharp 27, 89); Portsmouth FC 2 (Maguire 36, Norris 94)

St. Andrews

I traveled up to St. Andrews bright and early on Wednesday morning.
And the beautiful weather that was bestowed on Manchester, well it was now snowing.
My only thought, PLEASE don't be snowing in Fife.



All throughout the journey to Edinburgh, it seemed I was encased in a blizzard.
It really put a damper on my spirits. It wasn't until Edinburgh that I took a sigh of relief.
No snow anywhere. As the train climbed farther north, the scenery became absolutely stunning.
Big city became small towns along the coast all the way to Dundee & Leuchars.
The gem that resided in Fife: St. Andrews.



The quaint seaside town was all it was said to be; it was a golfer's paradise.
Being the "home of golf", St. Andrews' has a personality that reflects it.
The streets are lined with one golf shop after the next, all promoting a specialized brand.
The town itself is very laid back and friendly, much like you would want a gallery to be!

When I had settled into the St. Andrew's Tourist Hostel, I went out on a self guided tour.
Basically just a map from the hostel pointing out the town's historical points of interest.

My first stop was the harbor and boy was it windy. The winds were just howling!



The Morris family burial site within St. Andrews Cathedral.
It was a pretty solemn moment to stand at the grave of golfing pioneers.
Without Old Tom Morris, St. Andrews wouldn't be at the quality it is today.
There's a lot of respect for what he did for the game.



Ruins of St. Andrews Castle, circa 1200.



The Swilken Burn Bridge as it looks up the 18th fairway.



Now, being as I have no handicap card, I was unable to play the Old Course.
Though that didn't have me too down as anyone is allowed to play all the other courses.
I picked the New Course, which opened for play in 1895.
Although it doesn't have the historical background as the Old Course does, many consider it the best course to play at St. Andrews (cite: the group I played with).



I turned up to the Links Clubhouse around 10am hoping to get out somewhere soon after.
The Links Clubhouse set me up with golf shoes & a full set of Diablo Edge graphite clubs.
Compared to what you may get at another club, St. Andrews REALLY takes care of you.



I headed out to the Starter who would try and get me into a group as soon as he could.
I didn't have to wait long because I didn't even get a warm up!
At 1048am on a sunny morning, my round on the New Course began.



Unfortunately there are no photos of me playing...
I was too caught up in the moment to even think about it!
But I did go thru about 6 weather changes over the course of 18 holes.
I felt heat from the sun, the wind blowing in off the North Sea. Even rain?!
And for some periods, there was an epic calmness to the storm.
The New Course and the weather really revealed themselves in full!



In the end, I shot a 119. I am not too sure if that is actually good or bad.
But to me, that is fantastic. I didn't know what to expect.
I had several great shots-- and of course several bad ones.
And I even ended up in one of the deadly bunkers-- and of course, I couldn't get out of it...

The group I played with were so welcoming and friendly.
I give a big thanks to them for allowing me to join them on their day out on the course.
It is truly an experience I will treasure.
Back in September I set a goal to play golf at St. Andrews and I made sure that happened!

The Making of Harry Potter

Yesterday I had the honor to travel down to Leavesden to Warner Bros: The Making of Harry Potter. The attraction just opened on Saturday, 31st of March and I was lucky enough-- well the calendar wouldn't change dates back in October when tickets went on sale so I had no choice but to go April 2nd!



Leavesden Studios was, and is home to all 8 Harry Potter films (since filming began in 2001). Prior and during the filming of the Harry Potter series, Leavesden also saw the filming of James Bond: GoldenEye, Stars Wars (Episode 1), The Dark Knight, Inception. And before that, Leavesden was an important center for aircraft production in WWII.



It was definitely an eye-opening experience to see films that were a part of my life for the last decade in this way. The vast sets seen on screen were transcended into a completely different light.

I am not sure how to put into words the day and what it meant, but I felt a few manly tears building up at the end. I think it just needs to set in that I have walked and seen where these films were made. It was/is the perfect closing chapter to such a great series of books&films that dominated a world.

With that said, several photos from my day at Leavesden Studios, Warner Bros: The Making of Harry Potter.

The cupboard under the stairs



The Great Hall



Dumbledore's Podium



Yule Ball Sculpture



Harry's bed in Gryffindor tower.



Dumbledore's office



The Burrow; home of the Weasley family



Hagrid's hut



The Ministry of Magic



Letters to Harry in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone



No. 4 Private Drive



Potter house in Godric's Hollow



Gringotts



Ollivander's Wand Shop



Weasley's Wizard Wheezes



1/32 scale model of Hogwarts



Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Preparations for St. Andrews

I headed over to Trafford Golf Centre to prepare for my upcoming trip to St. Andrews.
I had yet to hit a golf ball since I first arrived in Britain so I felt I was due.
St. Andrews is known as the "home of golf" and is home to the famous Old Course.
The Old Course is considered to be the oldest golf course in the world, dating back 600 years.
The course has hosted the Open Championship 28 times, the first in 1873.
Unfortunately I am unable to play the Old Course as I have no handicap card.
-- That and I am nowhere near Tiger Woods standard!



None the less, the New Course that runs adjacent to the Old Course is available for me to play.
The New Course opened for play in 1895.
Upon coming to Britain, it was my hope to have the chance to play at St. Andrews Links.


(This sign at Trafford Golf Centre cracked me up! "Responsible Adult")



Although I am not the world's most avid golfer, I understand the importance of St. Andrews.
As I have watched the Open being played at St. Andrews a number of times, I am looking forward to having to combat the high, changing winds rolling in off the North Sea, as well as the ever changing Scottish weather.

This is a challenge I accept!

Whilst at the driving range, I became more confident in my ability to keep the ball straight.
Driving still gives me troubles, but luckily I only have to get off the tee each hole!
I continued to work on my short-game and make use of tips I learned in golf class at UNCG.

Come tee time, I will be ready!