The much anticipated first Scottie Tour of the new season was, as usual, preceded by a stomach lining breakfast at The Sicilian. The café was very busy and the Sicilian informed us he was off back to Sicily in a couple of days for a well-earned break. Full up, we eased on to the London bound train, which was packed. Standing room only as there were many Premier League matches in the capital, as well as the Rugby Union Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, so the train was full of Northern Monkeys.
With the connecting trains being helpful we were in Hayes in no time and had a quick pit stop in the Old Crown, a short walk from the station. On entering the pub, all the locals stopped in their tracks as they smelt new fresh blood. Just like a scene in an old western, after some seconds staring, they continued with their daily grind. No ale was available, so we had a quick Guinness and a sprinkle and made off for the Botwell Inn.
The Botwell is a large Wetherspoon’s pub which opened in 2000, following a conversion from furnishers Moore and Son. The walls are painted deep red and are adorned by modern art paintings, along with a biography of George Orwell, who taught in the area. Regular beers from Adnams, Hogs Back and Windsor & Eton.
With the Powerhouse Porter by Sambrook's Brewery on special offer, this was given a good hiding, as well as the Adnams Ghost Ship. With kick off looming and Kev moaning about how far the ground was, we called a couple of taxis. Bearing in mind that the taxi firm we called, sponsor Hayes & Yeading Football Club, you would think that they knew where the ground was. Both on the way to the ground and back to the pub following the match, we had to give directions to the drivers. Very poor show.
Hayes & Yeading’s new ground is very nice, but is yet to be completed, which meant that all food and drink was prepared in the car park, a little like the American pre match tailgates. A ground which could comfortably hold a few thousand looked shockingly empty with only 225 in attendance. The home fans had the cheek to taunt us with songs about coming in a taxi, unaware that we had in fact, come in two. Numpties.
The match itself was an entertaining affair, with another Alex Cathline goal taking the points back to Bedfordshire and sending the Regimentals back to the Botwell for a few beers, before heading back into London. With a quick pee stop and a pint of Parabellum Milk Stout from the Gun Brewery at the very busy Euston Tap, we headed to the quieter Mabels Tavern for a bit of a session.
Being a Shepherd’s Neame house, there was plenty of Whitstable Bay and Spitfire, as well as a tasty Spitfire Lager. With closing time looming the Regimentals headed for St Pancras to catch the train back to Luton, where Ian tried his best to encourage some audience participation and prove that not only Mum’s go to Iceland. HUH!
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