I
was almost ten minutes late. I left it 'til the last minute and found
The Orchard Spot wasn't showing the game, leaving me rushing to The
Kentish Yeoman. I got my first pint in, took my pitch and begun to
hope. Bobbing and weaving to see around those ahead, I watched the game
unfold; the wrong way in the first half.
At
half time I tried to find another pub due to to racist remarks against
Drogba following his goal. The Rose seemed to be shut so I returned.
A
second pint bought and I saw Spurs take the game to Chelsea eventually
earning a penalty. I thought handball, the linesman said a push.
Still, with almost too much calm, Superstar Dimitar converted and a
larger cheer than that for Drogba was heard.
The third saw me through, cursing the fact that Zokora cannot bloody shoot.
At full time I downed what was left and had a pee before:
Extra
time and I was 10 pence short of a fourth. I resorted to crunching a
mint. Jenas put the ball in; Woodgate connected; Cech palmed onto
Woodgate's head; massive smile on my face. But so long to go. Nerves
in the pub; relief at saves and misses; applause for Robinson. And
finally the final whistle at an odd but beautiful moment (the best part
of a scary minute late). Joy unbound as the players collected the
prize. I walked into the rain ecstatic, a wee glistening in my eye.
