‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 'We couldn't see f**k all' - Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled

Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.

The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.

What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.

Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”

Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.

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Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”

One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”

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Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”

Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.

Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”

The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.

One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.

And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.

Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.

Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.

However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.

With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.

While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.

For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.

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Featured image: BBC

Inside Chinatown’s enormous new three-storey restaurant, with futuristic karaoke booths

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Sovereign Clouds, Manchester's new Chinese restaurant and karaoke bar

A gigantic three-storey restaurant and karaoke bar has just opened its doors in Chinatown in Manchester.

Sovereign Clouds is the newest addition to one of the city’s most beloved and ever-evolving neighbourhoods, taking over a sizeable building on Faulkner Street that’s been vacant for 10 years.

Inside the 1,000 sq metre space, you’ll find a glittering restaurant adorned with marble and gold, where you can tuck into a massive menu of dim sum and traditional dishes.

One floor up and you’ll find yourself surrounded by live lobster tanks and the massive kitchen, alongside several flexible private dining spaces.

And up on the top floor are the most futuristic karaoke rooms in town, where you can customise lights, LED ceilings, and even sing through an autotune microphone.

Three roast meats from Sovereign Clouds
Three roast meats from Sovereign Clouds
Delicious dim sum
Delicious dim sum
Authentic Chinese cooking from Sovereign Clouds
Authentic Chinese cooking from Sovereign Clouds
Black Gold Lava Buns with salted custard filling
Black Gold Lava Buns with salted custard filling
The massive Sovereign Clouds restaurant
The massive Sovereign Clouds restaurant

On the menu you’ll find tonnes of steamed dim sum, stir fries, traditional claypot stews, roast meats, and loads more.

There’s seafood like stir-fried lobster with salted egg yolk, and traditional Cantonese steamed grouper; a whole section for abalone (advance orders only) including braised goose feet and fish maw; and a good selection of spicy Sichuan dishes.

The chefs here also have an impressive array of Chinese roast meats, like Peking crispy duck, pork belly, and char siu, as well as three roast meats with rice.

Futuristic karaoke rooms
Futuristic karaoke rooms
The main restaurant at Sovereign Clouds
The main restaurant at Sovereign Clouds
Futuristic karaoke rooms
Futuristic karaoke rooms

And that’s alongside ingredients you don’t find on a lot of menus in Manchester, like jellyfish, tripe, and century eggs.

It’s all led by Terry Ni, who has been behind the popular Dynasty Chinese and Thai takeaway in Timperley for more than a decade, and has spent years transforming this empty old building into one of Chinatown’s most glittering restaurants.

Come for dinner, stay for a turn on the karaoke upstairs, and tell everyone – Sovereign Clouds is a fantastic addition to Manchester.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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