You Couldn't Make It Up - Real Roy of the Rovers Stuff
The full story of the Romans league triumph.
Due to the weather the team who finished 2nd in our division (BN3) finished their season 2 weeks before we did. At the time of their last game we still had 2 left but they were 3 points better off then us and level on goal difference. Their last game was against a decent mid-table side who we expected to put up a pretty good fight. We expected a victory for BN3 but a narrow 1 so we would have 2 games to pick up 6 points and make sure we bettered their goal difference. Our two games were against the teams in 4th (Brighton and Hove Reserves) and 3rd (AFC Loaf). AFC Loaf could still catch us if we didn't win both games. It was all looking like it was going to be very exciting.
What we didn't expect was for BN3 to win their last game 13-0. At that point we thought the game was up as we now had to win our last 2 goals by a combined margin of 14 goals. Unlikely against 2 of the best teams in the division. We pretty much gave up on the title that week and decided to just make certain of promotion by winning both games and clinching 2nd place. To this end we won the next game 5-1 against B&H Reserves and left ourselves needing a 10 goal win over Load to take the title. More realistically a draw with them would make sure we finished 2nd.
Sunday dawned and it was wet. So wet we weren't convinced that we would be playing. Loaf had a 30 mile trip as they are 1 of the few teams in the league not based in Brighton. Because of this they called us early to ask if we could inspect the pitch before they left home. We agreed to this and my Dad (who is 1st team manager) went off to meet the ref and get an early inspection. At this point I cease to be an eyewitness as I had to go and help the 2nd team get massacred by the team that's going to win their division. Off I trotted, duly got massacred and headed back to the pub.
Due to the pitch inspection the 1st team were late back so all us 2nd teamers were all waiting to find out what had gone on. We didn't expect the 1sts to come back with a collection of the biggest grins you've ever seen. At first I didn't believe them but none of them started laughing and it finally dawned on me that they were telling the truth. They really had won 11-1.
Apparently it hadn't looked likely and they were only 3-0 up at half time. When Loaf got a goal back just after half time just making sure the game was won became a priority. With BN3 watching from the sidelines it looked like we were going to have to settle for 2nd place. BN3 were discussing when they'd open the champagne.
All of a sudden the goals began to flow and before anyone had really realised what was going on it was 8-1. BN3 were all of a sudden not so cocky. With time running out it was 10-1which was fantastic but not enough and it looked like we would finish 2nd on goals scored. Someone somewhere was on our side though and fortunately for us he had donned all black that morning. In the dieing minutes a hand came out and the ball struck it. Was it in the area or outside? The ref didn't hesitate and gave the penalty. With a coolness felt by no one else in the park our captain stepped forward and calmly side footed it past the goalkeeper. 11-1!
On the final whistle BN3 slunk off home and Loaf promised revenge in our cup final on Thursday. Our lot didn't care though and headed back to the pub to start a drinking session of epic proportions. After 3 seasons of running this football club, through struggles to get a team out and horrendous thrashings we had won something and won it in the most amazing style. At some point it might actually make sense to me but I don't think it's going to happen soon.
If all of the above wasn't true it would be the worst bit of football fiction ever written, nobody would believe a word of it. I'm still not sure I do.
Now we have a cup final to win on Thursday and Friday off work. Then we have to start thinking about next season and getting the 2nd team going in the right direction but that will probably wait a while.
Look at division 4. Don't look at division 6.
The full story of the Romans league triumph.
Due to the weather the team who finished 2nd in our division (BN3) finished their season 2 weeks before we did. At the time of their last game we still had 2 left but they were 3 points better off then us and level on goal difference. Their last game was against a decent mid-table side who we expected to put up a pretty good fight. We expected a victory for BN3 but a narrow 1 so we would have 2 games to pick up 6 points and make sure we bettered their goal difference. Our two games were against the teams in 4th (Brighton and Hove Reserves) and 3rd (AFC Loaf). AFC Loaf could still catch us if we didn't win both games. It was all looking like it was going to be very exciting.
What we didn't expect was for BN3 to win their last game 13-0. At that point we thought the game was up as we now had to win our last 2 goals by a combined margin of 14 goals. Unlikely against 2 of the best teams in the division. We pretty much gave up on the title that week and decided to just make certain of promotion by winning both games and clinching 2nd place. To this end we won the next game 5-1 against B&H Reserves and left ourselves needing a 10 goal win over Load to take the title. More realistically a draw with them would make sure we finished 2nd.
Sunday dawned and it was wet. So wet we weren't convinced that we would be playing. Loaf had a 30 mile trip as they are 1 of the few teams in the league not based in Brighton. Because of this they called us early to ask if we could inspect the pitch before they left home. We agreed to this and my Dad (who is 1st team manager) went off to meet the ref and get an early inspection. At this point I cease to be an eyewitness as I had to go and help the 2nd team get massacred by the team that's going to win their division. Off I trotted, duly got massacred and headed back to the pub.
Due to the pitch inspection the 1st team were late back so all us 2nd teamers were all waiting to find out what had gone on. We didn't expect the 1sts to come back with a collection of the biggest grins you've ever seen. At first I didn't believe them but none of them started laughing and it finally dawned on me that they were telling the truth. They really had won 11-1.
Apparently it hadn't looked likely and they were only 3-0 up at half time. When Loaf got a goal back just after half time just making sure the game was won became a priority. With BN3 watching from the sidelines it looked like we were going to have to settle for 2nd place. BN3 were discussing when they'd open the champagne.
All of a sudden the goals began to flow and before anyone had really realised what was going on it was 8-1. BN3 were all of a sudden not so cocky. With time running out it was 10-1which was fantastic but not enough and it looked like we would finish 2nd on goals scored. Someone somewhere was on our side though and fortunately for us he had donned all black that morning. In the dieing minutes a hand came out and the ball struck it. Was it in the area or outside? The ref didn't hesitate and gave the penalty. With a coolness felt by no one else in the park our captain stepped forward and calmly side footed it past the goalkeeper. 11-1!
On the final whistle BN3 slunk off home and Loaf promised revenge in our cup final on Thursday. Our lot didn't care though and headed back to the pub to start a drinking session of epic proportions. After 3 seasons of running this football club, through struggles to get a team out and horrendous thrashings we had won something and won it in the most amazing style. At some point it might actually make sense to me but I don't think it's going to happen soon.
If all of the above wasn't true it would be the worst bit of football fiction ever written, nobody would believe a word of it. I'm still not sure I do.
Now we have a cup final to win on Thursday and Friday off work. Then we have to start thinking about next season and getting the 2nd team going in the right direction but that will probably wait a while.
Look at division 4. Don't look at division 6.
Last minute penalty. Wow.
That, my friend, is enough to put a smile on a face for a long time. Awesome stuff.
Now you'd better get focused for fucking Thursday. I'll be waiting for news.