Visit to the Blackthorn

ANOTHER midweek game, and another chance for me to shout on the boys in blue from the terraces. And for once I am full of optimism, with manager Dave Penney bringing in SIX new additions to help bolster our meagre ranks.
Just after transfer deadline we signed a creative midfield player in Gavin Williams from our hated neighbours across the city. He was able to join us because he had negotiated a release from his contract, giving himself a few months to prove himself in the Blue and White Quarters.
Even though I am feeling quite upbeat about things, I'm not going to take any chances. I haven't see the Gas win this season, and feel perhaps a change of venue might bring a change of luck.
Usually I stand with my pal Haydn in the family enclosure, on account of the fact his son is a goalkeeper in one of the youth teams and he manages to get in free when accompanied by the boy.
Unfortunately his son is training so there is just two of us going to the game and I venture: "Look, I've been in the family enclosure, the Das Enclosure and the South Stand so far this season. Why don't we stand on the Blackthorn and see if our luck changes."
So we take the plunge and go in with the hardcore supporters.
I haven't stood on 'our' end since those famous days of the old Tote End at Eastville Stadium. In those days I would always go in there to get bumped and buffeted for 90 minutes, join in the songs and get the occasional glimpse of the pitch on account of my diminutive stature.
I used to love it, though, going along with my school mates and revelling in the atmosphere of a vibrant crowd.
Well, it wasn't quite like that to be honest. We stood over on the right side of the terrace, where there was enough room to swing not just a cat but a whole cattery.
It was nice to chat to one of the loyal old boys on there who told us he had been watching Rovers ever since his dad had taken him to a home game against Reading in the 50s and they had won 2-1. "I've NEVER left a game early," he proudly announced, a feat in itself when I think of some of the pitiful showings down the years.
It's a pretty paltry crowd all round, 4,800 to see our new-look team in action. Even so, the fans are in good heart, practising some of their new songs and unfurling one of those giant flags that gets passed across the tops of peoples heads.
We lost the previous game 6-1 but there is still a buzz of optimism, particularly when the team is announced and we learn that five of our new signings have made the line up.
It lasts 45 seconds.
For after 45 seconds, MK Dons take advantage of the fact that our back four are still introducing themselves to each other and sneak a goal.
And worse is to follow when Dave McCracken, the centre back on loan from Brentford who has made a decent early impression, chases a ball back towards his own goal and pulls up with a hamstring injury.
Oh, dear.
Still, Rovers manage to regroup and are still in the game. They put on a fair bit of pressure early in the second half only to fall asleep at the back and concede a second.
It's not looking good.
But we then earn a fortuitous penalty for hand ball, Jeff Hughes puts the resulting spotkick away and then a Dons defender gets a red card.
It leads to a 10-minute cavalry charge at the end to try to get us back on level terms, but we are just short of the quality we need to turn the result around.
At least, we reflect as we drift away, there was more effort and a more resilient approach from the Gas this time. I'm just not sure if we have what it takes to get out of the mess we are in.
Pride of the West Country 1, Football club stolen from Wimbledon 2
No worries, though. Another home game coming up.
Against Brighton.
The league leaders.