'nulla verecundia'
After days, nay, weeks, of meticulous planning, so it was that everyone f***ed off from the pub at Euston early, leaving me and Sarah to hang on for latecomers Gerry and Andy. I don’t know who was less impressed – Sarah or Andy. (Gerry didn’t care). Me – I expect this kind of thing.
I’ve gotta hand it to MK. Whatever I think of the fact they’re even in the league, it’s an enjoyable day out (isn’t it, Bob?). Get to the station, walk up the hill to the spacious Wetherspoons, cheap and large choice of ale, no chance of trouble (apart from random Reds seemingly wanting to attract the attention of Plod). Plus a taxi firm with a fleet of 400 cars – which meant that when Tim ordered 5 taxis they came within 5 mins. DRINK UP LADS!
10 mins drive to the stadium, fall out the taxi and you’re straight into the ground. Handily for Gerry, the concourse was level with the entrance, so after a word with a nice steward, he was allowed to sit in a chair designated for invalids. Gerry even took one for the team, Caton joining him for the match. (Only joking, P – don’t get a mard on!)
Being that we bought our tickets on the day, we could pick and choose our seats, away from the crowd (3702 Reds fans, since you ask – not including the executive box crew). So we sat in front of Geraldo and Paul, our like being swelled by Mrs Reed, Molly and wife and Waddington. Molly appeared on form. He only has 3 games: mild mannered, surreal and abusive. He must feel very comfortable around Mrs Molyneux these days, cos it was Abusive Moll today. Shouts like ‘you f***ing non-league cnut’ seemingly coming from nowhere. Sarah went and sat on her own – no, not due to Molly, but ‘I’ve paid for a SEAT!’ while the rest of us stood to our hearts’ content. May I say, bl**dy comfortable seats too, padded and huge. It’s not like Old Trafford, where they really pack you in and anyone over 5’2” has an issue.
The match? What a boring 1st half. MK were completely outclassed and we went one up after 3 mins, 2 up after about 19. We shoulda been outta sight by HT. Great finishes too. Dagnall controlled a long ball from Mellis then banged it in from an angle with his left, while Wiseman marauded down the right and pulled it back superbly for Marlon to sweep home. At HT I texted Andy Jones, saying what we really need is an MK goal, to make life interesting…
So it was. MK came out fighting. Quite literally, according to Farnham – the normally jovial Dave getting more and more frustrated by a ref seemingly intent on not booking a Dons player for some outrageous fouls. (Later, when the ref actually started booking people, he ignored the worst foul of the day, when Scotland broke free and was dragged back. Ref gave the free kick yet couldn’t comprehend it was a blatant booking.)
We weathered the early storm, then an innocuous clash left Etuhu down and out – literally. While laid out, he never moved and a stream of medical types ran onto the field. As he was carted off, still not moving, head in a brace, we feared the worst. As we now know, he was ok (sort of) but it spooked the Reds players, who proceeded to fall apart. MK pulled one back (Kennedy at fault – I’m only saying that cos I haven’t had a chance this season) and then Steele had to pull out a sharp reflex save from ‘Leeds scum’ Alan Smith.
However, after that, if anyone was gonna score, it was us on the break. Every time we had the ball it was 3 v 3 and with 12 minutes injury time signalled, Perkins played the ball through for Dagnall to sprint onto, round the keeper and bury it into the net, right in front of us. F***ING YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quarter finals here we come, Millwall home please.
And later on, our day was made, when Smith went in for a challenge with his elbow and was sent off. WE ALL HATE LEEDS SCUM, WE ALL HATE LEEDS SCUM. Perfick. I've since seen it on telly, and although their manager is right when he says he didn't elbow him in the head, you can see he tries to elbow our player (Delap?) in the midriff. Is it only violent play if you elbow someone in the HEAD, Mr Robinson?
*** Super Chrissy Dagnall. Scored 2, created havoc. What a player!
** David ‘Perky’ Perkins. Wasn’t always at the top of his game (they were s***), but when he was involved he was making a difference.
* Scott 'The Wise Man' Wiseman. Why not? Looked excellent 1st half, then fell to bits for 10 mins in the 2nd, before re-composing himself. Story of the team, really.
Despatches:
Mellis looked pretty good – at this level. Golbourne played well (again!) and Steele was relatively faultless. Sign of a great keeper, making THAT save after having little to do.
Sarah’s top 3:
*** Hassell – ‘just because he played’
** Perkins
* Dagnall ‘well, I guess he scored 2’
WE’RE THE FAMOUS BARNSLEY FC AND WE’RE OFF TO WEMBERLEE. WEMBERLEE, WEMBERLEE….
No comments:
Post a Comment