An interesting one this... the Cambridge clubrooms appear to be reserved for players and officials after-match.
I saw my pal Grant Stantiall angrily firing up on twitter last night and taking exception to Aucklanders complaints, but my defaul sympathies are with travelling fans
I'm not sure of reason for this policy - can't recall coming up against it in recent times. There may be good reasons, but at the very least Waibop should explain why....
Though there was an outside bar for the great unwashed, it's a tradition in the amateur game for fans to have a drink with players, listen to the coach make a few comments. And we have established this is an amateur league.
If I had travelled 140km to back my team, I would be pissed off if I found myself segregated.
Coupla random thoughts on the game.... Auckland had a clear edge but I thought they were decidedly average in the final third (until White's spanking late second). They overplayed, and were reluctant to shoot.
I was left with the impression McNeil was kind of covering the run of one of the attackers with that first goal from the free kick and got done by a tiny touch from someone.
I thought Billen might have been better than that...
Irving was quality when he chose to go forward for Auckland. By contrast Waibop get nowhere near enough forward momentum out of their fullbacks. In the modern game you need them bombing forward.
Waibop's new signings made no impression on me. Sorry. And Scott Hilliar needs a proper run in midfield (as opposed to 15 minutes at fullback). Mark Jones is Waibops moast improved player.
Nick Robson is not really a striker.
I have always found Auckland clubrooms welcoming - even when I've had a partisan snitch about something in the match :-). And they invariably have an interesting red wine or two on the top shelf.