I had no plans to blog about last Sunday. It didn’t pan out. It was Walsall v Newport and I was buzzing for it but thought there wouldn’t be much to write about.

The t-shirt ironing tune was a bit off my usual cool indie music vibe. Not thinking I’d be reporting this I went for Feels So Good by Mel B. Hadn’t heard it in decades but it had popped in my head the night before and as it’s my favourite song by solo Spice Girl I thought why the hell not? I know I’m going to get pelters for that opinion but I care not. Why not share this blog far and wide so I can get more good natured abuse? I don”t mind if it gets me new readers.

I had to pop for a family visit on the way and my cousin Lorraine gave me a lift down. We were dropped at Matalan on the retail park at 2.35. Far too early to go in the ground yeah? So I popped to McDonald’s. I know what you’re thinking. ‘Hang on Evo, in last Sunday’s blog you said you were trying to not spend money and now you’re running off to MaccieD’s, you fat fuck.’

Well there are mitigating circumstances. Due to illness I’d got home from work on the Friday and not left the house until now so a good bit of budget was still in my wallet. Secondly I was craving a Toffee Latte as I don’t go to said fat food restaurant much nowadays and. Finally I suspected the coffee machine in the Bescot Bar would be having one of its “out of service days.”

As I stated last week I love a bargain so opted for an extra value meal. I couldn’t go in McDonald’s and just order a coffee could I? I mean I know you can but had I, every member of staff along with all fellow customers would have pointed and tutted. Thy’d have been perfectly entitled too as well.

I got my food and fannied around on Facebook and Twitter. I got in the ground at 3.15. Opps.

Block 6 was rammed which was good to see. I couldn’t get near my season ticket seat, which to be fair is normal. I don’t even know where it is., never sat in it. It’s the back row but I usually can’t get near that line and go one or two in front. This time I stood next to Asps and had a good natter. At half time the Bescot Bar coffee machine was out of service but they were showing the game on a screen. It was packed in the bar and although it was only extended a couple of years ago it’s already getting to full capacity most games. Despite not drinking I opted to stay in the in there for “a bit.”

I finally ventured out at the 85th minute just as folk were starting to congregate along the pitch side wall. It was 1-0 as we headed into stoppage time. This is where we normally go to shit. Try and defend and throw it away. Different animals this season. With about a minute of added time left a perfectly weighted ball over the top from Taylor Allen was chested down by Nathan Lowe. We expected him to run into the corner. Instead he just banged it home for 2-0. Joyous scenes.

Through the illness my voice was wrecked but I was still joining in the full time chants especially the Lowe and Adomah ones. Then it was straight to The Locker.

Yet again it was pitch black in there. Not sure if this is trendy or what? I know dimly lit pubs are all the rage now but this has no lighting at all except on the dj decks and some flashing fairy lights around the bar. We can’t see where our friends are or if any slippery booze has been spilled but can see the bar. If Walsall fans know one thing, it’s where the bar is.

If they are going to persist with this perhaps they could start selling Walsall FC branded miners helmets. They’d flog millions though I bet some fans would soon be on Facebook stating their size is out of stock.

Needless to say it was ace in there. I was soon offered a lift with Badge (I honestly don’t know his real name) and he agreed to drop me by the Walsall Arms. Epic.

The Arms was busy and I was soon joined by John Heighway, Kimbo and Coxy. Spooky seeing Coxy as he’d popped in my head the day before as I thought I hadn’t seen him since he unexpectedly joined me at the urinal when I didn’t even know he was in the building after the Switzerland match in the Summer. “Alright Evo” he started “not seen you since you had your knob out. I’m glad he remembers it as fondly as I do.

He then asked why I haven’t been going to the games. I said I had been going to home games, though I failed to mention that I missed 3 on the bounce in Charlton, Notts County and Reading. I figured if the prosecution doesn’t know this, I’m not offering it. I finally showed him my season ticket. He then asked would he be mentioned in the blog.

“I’m not blogging about today Coxy”. “Oh go on, I want a mention.” “I don’t have any material>” “Just do a small one.” Me do a small blog? Perish the thought. I promised I’d try and rustle one up as he had caught me in a very rare good mood.

The karaoke was in full flow and was very jovial. Coxy asked me to do a song with him, no idea what but just as he asking the lady announced no more as she probably had enough requests to last until 2026.

Fellow Saddler Scooby went up, declaring “we are 12 points clear” then instigating a chant of “we are top of the league”. He then nailed “Never Forget” by Take That. Quite apt. I’ve not been away this season but I will never forget this season all being well. It’s been memorable so far.

I got a message from Laura asking if the darts was on. I replied yes. She asked if I was still there so I replied with a picture of my freshly pulled pint of HPA. A picture says a thousands words or something like that yeah? And you know I don’t like a word count.

We were soon joined by her, Pezza, my Niece Amber and her chap JB. Amber grew up by the pub but hadn’t been in since my birthday bash in 2012 when it was still a 2 room bar. It was good to see her back in there and she was on good form as per usual.

They had a couple and then Pez must have used his phone magic as suddenly all parties were brandishing bags of chicken from Danny’s round the corner to take home. I don’t do envy, it’s one of the Deadly Sins that I don’t dabble with but on this occasion a little.

They departed and I headed back inside. Coxy managed to do a song California Dreaming which is an absolute classic. He did a good job and I wish my voice would have let me join in, even if just the backing vocals (leaves am brown, skies am grey etc). It also had me craving a pint of Carling Premier.

I was surprised and also blown away by two ladies belting out some classic Limp Biizkit. The karaoke finished and I think I had one more beer before heading off for an early night as I had work the next day.

Magnificent day. Cheers to everyone involved.