It was one of those moments that make the crap ones worth suffering, if that makes sense.
Exactly! It makes those barren years seem like nowt when you have a day like that.
Spot on! Taylor was great that day aswell. If it hadn't been for his injury nightmare I could have seen him playing a big part in the premier under O'Neill. Julian Watts was also a more than steady centre back and an inspired signing by O'Neill.
Also, one very clear memory from that day was Steve Walsh's tackle on Hopkin. Absolutely smashed him!
So many moments in that game made me certain it was ours.
Taylor and Izzet giving their midfield hell, Lenny and Parker running the show but for me, the save by Poole at the beginning of the second half. It looked a goal all the way. Was it a shot from George Ndah? Or am I thinking someone else?
Best pass from Walsh all game To muzzy to break into the box and win the peno, and i knew Parker would score, there was a feeling of inevitability about it as even with their early goal, we took the game by the scruff of the neck and dominated it throughout. I was never worried we wouldn't equalize, but when it got to the later stages of extra time I was mentally trying to work out who would be taking our penalties.
And then we got that free kick, and Spider came on, and wasn't it Julian Watts who flicked it on for Claridge to make that little bit of football magic?
Shinned it? Did he bollocks. He looked like he knew what he was doing from where I was stood, level with the peno area opposite the royal box.
I remember having a group of lads in front of us all wearing Fezs and how utterly mental they went when it felt like it took 10 minutes for everyone to realise the ball was in the back of the net. The most surreal moment I've ever been part of at a match.
I cried.
Then when Walshy lifted the Owl trophy I cried a bit more.
And then Lennon nicked me scarf as they walked round the pitch. Git!
