The taming of the Shrews
Trip Start
Jun 26, 2007
1
2
60
Trip End
Ongoing
London,
United Kingdom
Saturday, May 26, 2007
May bank holiday weekend marks the climax of the football season for lower league clubs outside the premiership. Where the fans enjoys a trip to the new Wembley stadium and the prize for the winner of each play-off final is promotion.
Today's (saturday) match is the league Two play-off final between Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town. Although Bristol Rovers isn't my official club (that is the not-so-mighty AFC Bournemouth), it was a good excuse to catch up with some old mates from my university days and to visit Wembley.
Do you ever get a feeling you're going to have a bad day? I had that very feeling friday evening
1. Pre-match Warm up
.I wake up to find out that we are still waiting for our tickets to be delivered and with less than 24 hours till the match and every one is panicing. My leg has swollen up because some big spider took a liking to human flesh and took several bites while i was sleeping (got a gut feeling this won't be the last bite during my trip) and i had to do a 7 hour night shift.
On to saturday morning, caught bus up to London and feeling in a lucky mood i put a £5 bet on Bristol Rovers winning 2-1 on odds of 8/1. Catch up with mates and YES! the ticket had arrived this morning. This was going to be a good day, so with a few drinks down us we arrived at Wembley.
The new Wembley is very impressive and the big metal arch over the stadium can be seen for miles, but costing over £750 million its difficult to say its value for money. Look at the photos and make your own mind up. On a positve note, at least there are no girls queueing to use the boy's toilet unlike the old Wembley.
As for the match. It was disastrous start for Rovers a goal down in 3 minutes
2. Walking down the famous Wembley Way
. However i meant Rovers had to attack and a good game of football evolved and on the stroke of half time Rovers had put themselves 2-1 up. The second half was more of a cagey display by Bristol but the score remained 2-1, and with only injury time remaining i was looking forward to winning £40 pounds as well. But i am never that lucky and with 2 minutes to go, Shrewsbury get a corner and their whole team including the goalkeeper comes up into the opposition penalty area. It is half-cleared and falls to Sammy Igoe, probably the slowest player on the pitch, who is clean through starts dribbling to the goal 65 yard away. Willing him to shoot and miss or for a Shrewsbury player to take him down he keeps running (or is that jogging toward their goal). He rides the first and second tackle before shooting from 35 yards ............ and its nestled in the net ....3-1. Well lost £40 quid bet but a few drinks and a curry later, i really couldn't care less. Today was about catching up with old friends and seeing a decent game of football and with only 4 weeks before the actual travelling starts.
(photos to be added soon)
Comments
Hi simon
The technophobic old git here, i have found my way on to the site it's only your mother now to train and i ain't got that much patience!!!!
Have a great time love Mum & Steve