Not a lot of point giving a match report as there cant be that many people who havent seen at least clips of the game.

That said it was a splendid day out. Forced to travel down on the morning due to my ride for the day attending a christening saturday evening we ignored the park and ride crapola and followed a route given to us by someone in the know. Suffice to say we avoided any heavy traffic and arrived just over 3 hours travelling from Sheffield to park by the river in sight of the stadium and less than 1000 yards from our entrance gate. Even better was the free all day parking as it was a sunday!!! Loads of Owls around already and still 5 and a half hours to go to kickoff.

Whilst our driver decided to have a kip the rest of us went on a walkabout around the stadium. Nice to bump into old mate and ex IOFC player Tony whose now living in L**ds. Got some free crisps from the Nobbys girls, bought a programme and walked through the smaller section od Pool fans and back to the riverbank for a drink and a bite to eat. Watched many blue and white balloons float down the river and then we all went back towards the stadium to soak up the atmosphere.

By 11pm the whole area was a mass of blue and white with the occasional touch of red. Everybody was singing, drinking and having a good time. Even walking through the Pool fans there was a sense of enjoyment and not the merest hint of trouble anywhere. A couple of thousand Owls were playing a game of kicking a football as high as possible and seeing where it landed. Several cars trying to get through fan drenched roads were the recipients of a ball on the bonnet from the sky. Several Hedlu (police to me and thee) stood around but seemed disinclined to interfere with such a fun but peaceful party. The noise from every kids airhorn was deafening and the things were being sold within yards of the entrances yet stewards would point out that they were not allowed into the stadium. Someone was making a lot of money.

At 1pm the gates opened and we went in and up to our seats. What a fantastic view, much better than the old Wembley and as it started to fill up it was obvious that we outnumbered Poolies 3 to 1. Both clubs DJ's played songs to try and get the crowd singing prior to the game. We eventually got Hi ho--- and then they had 2 little boys??? Obviously we outsung them. Kick off was greeted with a fantastic barrage of noise whilst stewards frantically tried to collect and deflate the numerous beach balls and blow up dolphins lying around on the edge of the pitch.

As for the game, well we looked up for it 1st half with Rocastle taking the eye for once. Quinn was magnificent and has got better and better. MacLean got a huge reception when warming up and it was announced he would be on the bench. What a coup for us. I cant imagine Pool had planned to face him at some stage. Just the final ball was missing as we poured forward time and again. Finally on the stroke of half time Rocastle played a killer ball across goal and JP slammed it into the net. Cue chaos in the seats.

At half time Ozzie and their monkey hanger had a penalty shoot out which Ozzie won 3-1.

Unfortunately we went to sleep and they took advantage as they levelled instantly through a sub and went on to dominate for a time. Their second sub scored from a free header and you could feel the mood drop. I said to my friend as the crowd went quiet for a minute, if we dont start up again instantly the boys heads will go down. Cue the Owls fans and Sturrocko makes a triple substitution to change things around. The stadium floor is concrete but it must be over metal frame as the fans sang and bounce you could feel the floor give like a rubber mat! Very disconcerting! MacLean started to hold the ball up and do what he does best and Pool started to look stretched. Drew started to run at their defence and we were getting back on top. 8 minutes to go and Drew gets a push in the back and goes down in the box. Penalty says the ref and sends their lad off to boot. MacLean, who else slams home his 20th goal of the season (and wins himself a cool £20Gs) and were back in it. They are down to 10 men and we nearly win it in normal time.

Extra time and Whelan steals the ball and drives an unstoppable shot in to take the lead. Now we get a bit more nervous but its still end to end. 2nd period and were holding on well when they break away and look odds on to score. Enter captain marvellous Bullen with an amazing recovery tackle which I believe won us the game. If they had scored then penalties would have been the most likely outcome and things would have not looked good for us. Bullens tackle gave us back both the ball and the attacking onus. Soon after Talbot stole the ball from a defenders head, ran through one on one, rounded the keeper and slammed the ball home. His face was a picture and reminiscent of Mark Brights sublime celebration after the semi win against the pigs in 93. We knew we were up and so did the players on both sides. The whistles were deafening and the ref blew his whistle. The lads get the trophy and do a lap of honour.

Im still hoarse from all the singing and shouting. We eventuially left the stadium and set off back at about 6pm. There were crowds of people waiting for their park and ride busses but we headed back on our 'secret' road and soon after leaving the stadium we were the only 2 cars on that particular road. We eventually stopped at Tamworth for a coffee and a bun before heading back to my friends to watch some of the taped game from Sky Sports. I couldnt sleep when I got home and had about the same amount as the few hours I managed the night before the game. Spent most of monday asleep but what a trip eh?

Back to the reality of planning for next season and Matty is one of seven players released. Injuries and the form of JP have cost him dear and I for one am sad to see him go. Bring on the blunts, master bates and that little matter of a game against Soton and Mr Lowe. I wonder if PS will be up for it? Is the Pope Catholic? See you all next season.

BTW now Ive seen the pics, if I'd known Sarah H looked like that I'd have made sure I dropped in for a drink with the London Owls (although my wife might have not been too pleased)!

BigOwl