Entering the stand, one of the first people I see is former BFC secretary Michael Spinks. He waves me over for a word. ‘This wouldn’t have happened on your watch.’ ‘Too right’ he laughs. (It won’t surprise youse to learn we’ve known each other since the good old days of him dealing with my complaints.) Mind, it can’t be that serious – the stand is due to re-open 4 days later for the Plymouth game. We presume all it takes is a man with a ladder and a hammer and nails.
Anyway, you’d think they were guarding the crown jewels, as a phalanx of stewards is lined up next to barriers outside the East Stand to prevent gawpers coming too close. I’ve seen fewer stewards at home to Dirty Leeds. I’d also never seen so many black people in Oakwell. No bad thing, though it’s a bit drastic if you have to bus them in from London AND pay them. Musta cost us a fortune.
Fair dues to the Oakwell hierarchy, ticketing arrangements went like a dream (helped, no doubt, by all those traipsing to Oakwell throughout the afternoon). A large gazebo outside the Ponty End had boxes of tickets for each of the other 3 stands. Show your season ticket, choose your stand and get a ticket. Simples. Also, perhaps organisation is testament to Head of Ticketing Beth, whose latest hospital update was ‘critical’. In uncanny timing….the 16th minute to be precise…the Super Reds go one nil up as fans around Oakwell light up their mobile phones in her honour.
It was a fabulous goal, too. Phillips intercepts the ball on the halfway line, strides forward 20 odd yards before playing a ball out left to the unmarked Norwood to confidently bury. However, it would be remiss of me not to point out how long Pompey left Norwood alone. Phillips couldn’t fail…could he? Minutes later, Cadden cuts inside from the right (whatthehell is he doing THERE?) and curls a beauty into the far corner. All in front of us in the North Stand. We’d taken Portsmouth apart and fully deserved the 2 goal lead. A rare foray forward from them gave them a volleyed chance from 12 yards which dribbled to the keeper.
Didn’t someone once say a two goal lead is the most dangerous? So, far better to make it one, as Pompey score early in the second half. Nobody bothers to stop their right wing cross, and nobody bothers marking the bloke running in to head powerfully home. It’s a scare, and later on, we try to repeat it, as Cadden and Kitching actively back off to let another unchallenged cross in. I’d be tempted to say it was part of a plan, if a slightly heated conversation between those 2 and Kane didn’t take place. We need to not get ahead of ourselves. We’re good, but we’re not THAT good.
Thankfully, after conceding, the Super Reds carry on as if it hasn’t happened. No nerves, no dropping deep, no trying to hang on – we go back on the attack and it’s not long before Cole makes it safe, banging it high into the net as he ran on to Norwood’s low cross. Oakwell wakes up, :Pompey (finally) shut up and we can contemplate catching Plymouth for second. Well, until I saw their remaining fixtures.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Norwood. A constant handful, a goal and assist reward for a top performance.
** Kane. Everything seemed to go through him, especially first half.
* Cole. Complemented Norwood. Bustle and speed, quite a combo tonite.
Official MOTM: Norwood.
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Norwood 2= Connell / Kane
Despatches:
Rumours of an atmosphere having broken out at the Derby match seemed a distant memory as The Morgue returned. Good job we were winning and a bit of home noise eventually won out. The North Stand didn’t help, as 1500 or so Reds fans didn’t know what to do. Special mention to the 5 young lads at the back trying to get something going. For the rest of us, I apologise. Not sure about ‘Hat nonce, give us a song’, but there it is.
I’ve said it before, but aside from the slick passing, one of the keys to our success is our players’ ability to read the game and step out from behind an opponent to nick the ball and set up a counter attack. Phillips did it with the first goal, but Mads….Connell…Jordan Williams…they all do it. Invite the opposition on, rob the ball, and couter attack at pace. Even Devante Cole looks like a footballer in this system. Whisper it, but I think we have a chance.
Oh, and then I gave a Chris a lift to his hotel. After we walked back to the railway station, me forgetting my car was parked in a back street near Oakwell. I am starting to worry about early onset dementia. I am starting to worry about early onset dementia.
Drink du jour: A pint of Leffe with Nice Guy Chris in Bramahs.
Away: 1,217. A great turnout in midweek for a midtable side several hours’ drive away. And it’s fair to say I couldn’t hear the Ponty in the first half above their racket. And they took defeat well.
Today’s take home: The boys are back in town!
The Damage:
c.£30 travel (petrol)
£33 3rd shirt
= c.£63
The Tunes:
EFL Show (BBC Sounds)
Euro Leagues (BBC Sounds)
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