.....probably a bit different to the majority of those who joined me in almost sunny Plymouth. Well as some of you may know, i'm down this way for educational (read that as drinking games) reasons, meaning that not only was my journey considerably shorter than most other hornets, but also that the 6 p.m. KO was quite pleasantly timed for me. Nice lie in, fry up for breakfast, even had time to make a start on my latest assignment before i set off for the ground, accompanied by my suitably decked in yellow girlfriend. Wanted to get to the ground early for a two reasons, enjoy the pre-match atmosphere and find a suitable parking space. Suprisingly we managed to sneak a spot on the back row of the car park outside the ground, me secretly hoping this would be a good omen for the evenings action. Not only this, but the parking was free, what a pleasant change from the money grabbing of most clubs. Anyways, onto the important stuff: Food. Having lived down here since last summer, i've grown slightly tired of pasties, and with a fancy for some chips, the hunt for a chip shop began. Asked the doormen at the Brittania where the nearest chip shop was and after being pointed in the right direction, which unfortunately was up a big hill and past a pub of filled with 12 year olds who took delight in shrieking 'green army' at the two outsiders in yellow. Thankfully, the walk was worth it, the chips were superb, the fishcake sublime, even the diet coke tasted better than usual. Whilst devouring my chips, i recieved a call from my brother (alright there Lb!) telling me his coach journey had finally ended and that he was standing amongst a lot of 'boogey green' farmers. Had a little walk around the ground and had a little laugh as Lee Dixon arrived along with Mark Bright, everybody bar one or two ignored Bright and swarmed towards Dixon begging for autographs, indeed the only people who seemed to recognise Bright was the BBC crew waiting for him. By now, the time was just after 5, a more than healthy time to enter the ground and purchase a couple of beers. I always enjoy the beer on the concourse with a good sing song, always gets you in the mood for the game and gives the old vocal chords a nice warm up. I was quite suprised to see the terrace section packed already, i wonder how long those at the front had been there? although i must say the terraces looked impressive. Terraces at league grounds was before my time, but i've always enjoyed standing on the terraces at Aylesbury United, certainly helps the atmosphere, but thats a debate for another time. I don't really want to focus on the match itself that much, we were poor apart from a few good performaces and in the case of Big Dan and Ben, superb performances. Mahon looked a lot more effective back at this level and the fact we won despite playing poorly against a decent side bodes well for next year. A year of Premiership football doesn't seem to have affected our fighting spirit, no big-time charlies here (even Francis put in a few tackles!), we got the job done and thats all that mattered. The atmosphere was superb, think back to Burnley at home in our previous quarter final. Think how much that game meant to us, the noise we made that day. Well thats how it was for the Plymouth fans, who i must admit were quite superb. We made our fair share of noise as well, it was nice to spend the majority of the game standing as well. A special mention must go the man just a few seats to my right on row K (i was 634) who seemed to have a personal connection to George Reilly and spent the majority of the game shouting abuse towards the Plymouth fans despite the fact he was miles away about how this game was revenge for George the bricklayer. Also had a chuckle when the 'stand up if you love watford' chant began, the anger in his eyes as he shouted it towards two old ladies who stayed on their bums, although pretty harsh, made me laugh. He was with a girl that had blonde frizzy hair, so if your the grey stripy jumper man, i applaud you! For some reason, after we'd survived the opening 20 minutes of the second half, i felt no nerves at all, i just knew we'd hang on, but it didn't mean that final whistle meant any less. What a feeling, seeing the joy on the players faces, 2,500 hornets singing their hearts out and Aidy's sarcastic applauding and waves to the Plymouth fans as he exited the field and headed for the tunnel. I can only imagine they'd given him a bit of abuse during that game. After successfully negotiating the car park, which became a bit of a free for all as cars scrambled for the exit and a short journey home, it was time to start dreaming, surely we can't do it, surely we'll draw Man Utd or Chelsea and natural order will be restored. We'll be little old Watford again and the BBC will get their dream final of Man Utd V Chelsea, but until 1:30 today, we can keep dreaming of Blackburn, and i'll whisper it quietly, but maybe even a trip to wembley.....
Fantastic write up, not a great performance, but a game all those who went wont forget I imagine! I bet even those on the coaches enjoyed the journey home!
Well luke good work. Thanks for the mention, and the trip home was good, was in bed by 2. Good mention of aylesbury united, shame they dont play at that ground any more. Atmosphere was good yesterday. Good day for fans and team
I'm going to assume that the grey stripy jumper man was you. Shame we had a few around us that didn't want to stand up the whole time. I've never seen such anger towards old people in all my life, gave me quite a chuckle whilst the game was boring. And also, at least you'll be able to put a face to my intelligent and witty posting, i was next to the man with glasses and a beanie hat on.:]]
To your left mate, there was a rather large fellow in a red top, then a bloke in a black hat, i was next to that guy, for most of the 1st half i was the only one standing in our row besides your goodself. Couple of seats along from your old 'friends' but obviously the same row as you.
Understand now mate. I'm not sure what those to old dears made of it all. fair play to them they go to most away games on the coaches as i have spoke to them before. in fact it was either Wigan or Bolton away they sat next to me in the first half, but not the second
They looked slightly bemused i must say. 1st half atmosphere wasn't brilliant over our way but it was excellent in the 2nd half.
