Geordie Al's Groundhopper Scrapbook: BFC 3-1 Millwall (League 1 play-off final), Sunday 29th May 2016

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

BFC 3-1 Millwall (League 1 play-off final), Sunday 29th May 2016

'You can never have too much of a good thing'

Welcome to our new home.

Can I start with a disclaimer? Whatever I write cannot do justice to this match, or our season. You had to be there.

And so it came to pass that the most memorable season since forever is finally over, 2 days off June. What began with high hopes and middled with desperation and abject misery has ended with the highest of highs, victorious at Wembley for promotion to the giddy stratosphere of the Championship. Goodbye Shrewsbury, Fleetwood, Oldham and other legendary Londontykes' away days this season, hello Wolverhampton, Brum and Dirty L**ds. Joy. Oh well, at least we won't have to face going to the Ricoh.

The meeting of the greats...Irn-Bru and Spongebob Squarepants (WTF?)

I don't think there's anything new to say about our rollercoaster season. The whole land knows it. Or should do. Beaten by non-league Altrincham in November, coupled with an 8 game losing league run. And I wouldn't even mind but we finally hit literal rock bottom with THAT draw at home to the Blunts - yet Conor Hourihane's last minute equaliser proved to be the beginning, not the end. And since signing the unknown Adam Hammill (!) it has been a non-stop party, both on the pitch and in the stands. It has been, quite simply, the most unbelievable season I have ever known. The sheer relentless winningness of the last 6 months. (Of the last 10 games I've seen away from Oakwell, we've won 8 and drawn 2.) The sheer, relentless losingness of the first 4 months.

In years to come, we'll remember this line up.

So, how apt that it should all end as it did - playing Mi'wa' off the park at Wembley to secure the final promotion place. And, despite finishing 6th, who is to say we don't deserve it? For the last half a year we have been the best team in the division. This was the way to get promotion; how else would the Londontyke diaspora meet up in the same pub and sit together at the match and share the joy? From far and wide they came; Vienna, Bergen, Adelaide...Calgary. Bl**dy hell. Me? I came from Peckham, so close to The Den that, when the wind is right, I can hear them from my garden (true). I think there was a fan from Brazil there too, ginger bloke...well, he never put his Brazil flag down all night, from what I remember!

Londontykes celebrate in Mabels.

I think we're all agreed these two matches at Wembley (two!) have been about celebrating with friends and family at the 'home of football'. None of this sending a text to someone with the result, or seeing them in the pub later, or never. No, they were HERE, sharing the experience with the rest of us. Thank god we won? It was NEVER IN DOUBT.

Those Barnsley hordes

And we really did play them off the park. Even the local 'Southwark News' says we deservedly won; in synopsis: 'They were better than us.' To take the lead within 2 minutes was a dream come true. Lucky this wasn't Oakwell, or else I'd have almost certainly missed it. Memory says Winnall won a flick on before Fletcher drove past 2 challenges to bury it into the far corner. TV pictures say Winnall had no-one near him (the local rag did point out that their late injury was the bloke whose job it would have been to win that header). Who cares!? 1-0.

Roberts drills one in.

After 19 minutes it was two and it looked like it could be a hammering. The Mi'wa' defence ignore manager Harris's warnings about not letting Hammill cut inside and shoot...only to let Hammill cut inside and shoot. But what can you do when he's, like, MILES better than you? Easier said than done. And once he's beaten 2 players he still only has to curl it into the top corner from 25 yards. If he goes - what a way to sign off. I love you Adam.

20 or so mins in, game over.

It was never going to be all Barnsley though was it? And we have a slight wobble before half time, letting them pull one back. Considering Beevors is Barnsley born and bred and used to be a season ticket holder, I make this 3-0 to Barnsley. He rolls Roberts superbly in the scramble after a corner and sticks it in with his left. Top striking. Given we still win, I may even forgive Scowen for conceding the corner in the 1st place.

Wembley panorama

Half time comes and goes and so does a fair portion of the 2nd half with only one team looking like they'll score: us. But that can't get in the way of a toilet break with Pompey (ooh-err) and as we re-enter (ooh-err), it's to see a cross come in and a Barnsley player flick the ball into the net. GET THE F*** IN!!!!!!!!! WE ARE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone bounces around hugging their nearest and dearest. Or, in Pompey's case, me. (Stuart, however, passed us on his way out and missed the goal. Unlucky.) Turns out to be Little Lloyd Isgrove, tiniest bloke this side of Little Lee (cnut) heading home from 4 yards. WHAT IS GOING ON???????

The lower tier light up a fat one in celebration.

Now all we have to do is sit back, let them commit too many men and hit them on the break. Davies makes a couple of saves, but every time we look up it's 2 on 2, 3 v 3...and from one of these Marley Watkins is fouled, but no pen. The ref must think Winnall's still on. (Sorry, couldn't resist). Seriously, I was pleased for Marley; he was there during the s***, played a massive part in the recovery (and in particular, SSW's return to goalscoring form) and missed the Oxford game through injury. A fitting end, seeing him out there sharing the glory.

Hammill leaves another Mi'wa' on his ar5e.

Oh, I nearly forgot. That 3rd goal also enlivened a some Mi'wa' in the upper tier, trying to break through a line of stewards to attack what few Reds were up there. I heard it described as 'shocking'...but how shocked was anybody to see this happen? I for one think it was one of the reasons we didn't bring so many this time, compared to our last visit to Wembley, ooohhh...6 weeks ago. Did I already mention we've already been to Wembley this season?

A couple come to blows (look carefully!)

And, after celebrating inside the stadium, it was back to where our day had started, 7 hours earlier...Mabels Tavern. And where it wouldn't end till closing (again). And where Hicksy got his money out for champers, having won £400 on today's result. Who says betting with your heart doesn't work? Lloyd Isgrove had to score ONE DAY...didn't he?

*** Obvs, they were all heroes. Hourihane: Great passing all day long, as well as the odd tackle. Excellent deliveries from deadballs, including 2 daisycutters from corners which Super Sammy Winnall buried...into the stands.

** Hammill. Cos he's class. The goal of the season was the icing on the cake for a superb seasonal turnaround sparked by him. I love you, Adam.

* Isgrove. Finally, finally, all his running about got the goal his performances have deserved. Good on you Lloyd - and good luck (if you don't remain on our bandwagon).

Londontykes MOTM: *** Hourihane ** Hammill * Isgrove

See you next season - same time, same place. Anyone for Mabels pre-match?

YOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU REDDDDDDDDDSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Damage:
£62 ent (plus another £62 for my other half, and £31 for a pensioner, but anyway...)
£6 programme