This promotion thing is not good for Rovers fans’ blood pressure!
All we needed to do was win on Tuesday night, and the pressure would have been slightly off.
On Saturday against Tranmere we held firm and for the second game running we kept a clean sheet, protecting Gary Woods who again did not have a single save to make.
But the promotion race is like one of those Olympic velodrome bike races, nobody wants to take the lead and go for it.
Teams are waiting until the last possible moment to strike.
We were very patient against a well organised Tranmere. But just as we thought we were heading for a draw, up pops the dynamic defendnsive duo, with ‘boom boom’ Jamie McCombe heading down for Captain Fantastic Rob Jones to ram the ball home.
On Tuesday night the pitch really made it difficult to control the ball, something that Kyle Bennett has recently commented on.
I thought Kyle put a good shift in on the night. He took on board what the fans have been saying about him, improving his tracking back and his tackling.
We started off brightly, but as I stated on the Trax FM Rovers show last week, Carlisle was always going to be the harder game.
They are on a good run at the moment, and so it proved, going down to a deflected free kick and a breakaway goal.
I thought we lacked urgency and the delivery into the box was poor.
So we head to Crewe on Saturday really needing to get three points on the board, especially with Brentford winning at Gresty Road on Wednesday night.
We thought we may be holding a promotion party, but we will have to put the champagne on ice.
It’s ours to throw away now. I don’t want to go to Brentford needing a win. At least they play the Blades next Tuesday night.
It looks like we have a sell out for the last game at Griffin Park.
The tickets are like gold dust. We currently have ten buses going from the Supporters’ Club, so it promises to be a good day out.
A couple of dates for your diary.
The club are holding their end of season dinner at the Dome the day after Brentford. Tickets are priced at £25.
It’s not a suit job this, the club are encouraging fans to come in their colours.
Then it’s the Retford Branch Dinner Dance on Friday, May 10, at the Charnwood at Blyth when the away player of the year award will be presented.
Free transport from the Doncaster area is included in the price of £20 for a ticket.
Please book early for the buses to Brentford. With the tickets nearly all gone, there should be no late bookers.
Coaches to Crewe: Dep Retford 10.15am, Harworth 10.20, Bawtry/Rossington 10.30, Sprotborough Ivanhoe/ Hare and Tortoise at 10.35, Infirmary 10.45 and Keepmoat 11.00.
For coach bookings call Paul on 07961 727769 or Len on 01302-817347.
Let’s sing our hearts out for the lads at Crewe.
Rovers till we die.