The Local Football Final Is Over...

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Yes, I finally got there, after absent-mindedly preparing a week ago!!! We all boarded the bus at six thirty and set off for Hanbury Park Stadium, in Haywards Heath... some four and a half to five miles away, to watch the Malins Challenge Cup Final between Bolney Rovers and Rottingdean Village. (Even got that wrong before) Including the players, there were sixty people on the coach, and quite a few arrived later in cars. The bus driver dropped us at the Stadium and we all went to the bar to buy a drink, whilst the players went to get changed in the Dressing Room. Beer in hand, I climbed to the back of the stadium, where I had a great view of the pitch, and sat eagerly awaiting the kick off, which was due to take place at seven forty five. The players of both teams were warming up on the pitch, and readying themselves for the pending match. Bolney played well, and despite being amongst a few supporters from the other side, I voiced my opinions quite loudly! Yup, we were taking eighty per cent of the play, but alas, the defence got caught off guard twice, and we ended the first half 0-2 down. The second half didn't start much better either, as Rottingdean netted another goal, early on... I was beginning to give up hope. But then, Scott was brought on, and worried the defence enough to get a penalty. The penalty was taken, and the goalie saved it... but wait... the ref was having words with the goalie, and the penalty was ordered to be retaken. He must have moved!!! Phew. Shaun steps up and coolly plants the ball in the corner of the net! YES!!! 1-3. Then, a few minutes later... no more that five or six minutes, Scott gets the ball again, runs through with it, and SCORES!!!! Woohoooo, 2-3. At this point, the excitement was so great, I had to jump up on my feet, and stay standing for the rest of the match. Rottingdean were getting a bit aggitated, and there was a fair bit of pushing and shoving going on. The tackles were a bit risky too, but the ref let it happen. Bolney continued to surge forward, but they couldn't quite break through the defense. Then, the worst thing that could possibly happen, happened. We were so busy pushing forward for the equaliser, that the defense were caught napping again, and a Rottingdean player went through the middle to score their fourth goal. That was it really... only about five minutes to go, and it was unlikely that Bolney could get two back... besides, who wanted a penalty shoot out, after that? So, it ended up with the Rovers losing 4-2 to Rottingdean and they never got to lift the trophy. Nobody was downhearted though. They'd got that far, which was a feat in itself. We all clambered back on to the coach, back to the pub, where a terrific buffet was put on. The pub was packed! There were football stories going on, a pool match involving about thirty players, and much fun was had by all. A very enjoyable evening out and a lovely evening weatherwise. Does anybody else have any stories about their local football teams?