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Everton 1 v 0 RS
By Paul Walsh |
On Wednesday morning last. I found
myself at my usual spot waiting for
my transport to Goodison for our F.A.
Cup 4th round replay with the RS. It
was a glorious morning. The sun was
shining and the West Berkshire
village of East Ilsley looked
particularly picturesque sat amongst
the snow covered downs. I was full
of eager anticipation as I wondered
how the forthcoming day's events
would unfurl. I was feeling
positive.
Eventually the ESSCA detachment
trundled into view, suitably
ensconced in Chris Brown's military
green Land Rover. The timing of the
game had prevented die-hards like
Phil Champion, Steve Robbo, Grey
Dave and Pirate Pete from travelling
but present on board were Skinny,
Tommy Carr, Andy Lewis, Chairman Ed
and of course our pilot for the day,
Chris. Making his battle-bus debut
was David Mulray. All in all a
motley crew indeed and I was looking
forward to the banter...
Sure enough, as we sped north the
craic soon ensued. A major item up
for discussion was the curious case
of ESSCA stalwart Les Robinson and
the half Blues half Dark Side scarf.
It seems Les purchased the said item
outside the Tin Mine just prior to
the first cup tie.
He then compounded this error by
WEARING it (albeit with the ghastly
red half hidden into the ground. It
was his grave misfortune that his
actions came to the attention of the
Chairman and subsequently some of
the others. I was blissfully unaware
of Les's naive indiscretion to that
very morning. I was in a state of
shock that Les, (my roommate when we
stayed over for the Anfield derby
last season) could commit such a
treasonable offence. You think you
know some people... Well I never! Ha
ha!
Anyway it was clear that a
significant breech of ESSCA protocol
had been perpetrated by the hapless
Mr. Robinson. A hastily convened
court-martial (not resembling a
kangaroo court in any way... Ha ha!)
found Les guilty in his absence and
decreed that the member be warned as
to his future conduct and that the
offending item be produced for a
public burning ceremony at the
earliest opportunity.
This will be recorded on film as a
warning to any to any other errant
members who hanker for a Merseyside
United Nirvana.
Les mate! What were you thinking
bud?
Anyway on with the journey north.
It was brilliant, liberated from the
speed restricted mini-bus we
normally travel up in. We soon found
ourselves in Liverpool five hours
before match start.(We didn't take
any chances with getting there late
did we? ha ha!)
We dropped Andy and David at The
Rocket. Skinny had to visit his ma
in hospital, so we dropped him off
there. I’m sure you'll join me in
wishing Dave's ma a speedy recovery
from what I believe isn't too
serious an illness.
Eddie , Tom, Chris and myself
decided to go into town to while
away some of the hours. This turned
out to be the start of a tour of
favoured alehouses as is the ESSCA
way..At this point an ESSCA day
really takes off.
Soon the pints were being dispatched
at a rapid rate of knots. Eddie and
Tom as usual, to the fore, but '
twas Skinny who really set the pace
once he had joined us from the
hospital.
As match time approached we decided
to make our way to the ground but
not without stopping at a pub called
"The Dixie Dean". It turned out to
be a Dark Side establishment (the
name hasn't been changed yet) and
after some banter with the house
patrons we were off again. The hard
cases headed for more refreshments
in the Wetherspoons on County Road.
I was feeling nervous, so went to
get something to eat and visited the
club shop. I was still feeling
positive about the game but feeling
very, very queasy indeed. That's a
normal derby feeling mind!
The atmosphere didn't really take
off inside the ground until about
twenty minutes before kick-off. The
red hordes had been allocated extra
capacity as it was the cup and they
seem determined to make an impact
vocally. Mercifully, it seemed the
Everton stands were just as
determined to drown them out and the
volume was cranked up.
The game kicked off and we struggled
to get a foothold initially. Then
after sixteen minutes Stevie Me had
to retire from the fray and the
Evertonians gave him a wonderfully
sporting send off...
He's going down! He's going down!
shrilled 33,000 ecstatic voices.
I
must say, contrary to a lot of
opinion I've heard since, Liverpool
coped very well without their
talisman. I thought we were very
tired looking and weren't winning
the crucial midfield battles. No
great opportunity was cut out by
either side and the first half ended
up all square.
In the second half we played towards
the Park End and the game was evenly
contested by both sides. Then Lucas
took out Lescott, was booked for the
second time and was taking the walk
of shame. It was at this point
Everton began to assert some
authority. Mikel started to dictate
play and we were moving the ball
around very well. However Liverpool
were defending their eighteen yard
line resolutely, and in particular
Skrtel was thwarting our ambitions.
Leon was put through and clipped a
post when it seemed certain he would
score. There was no doubt we were in
the ascendancy as full time
approached and extra-time beckoned.
Davey substituted the
disappointingly muted Fellaini with
Rodwell and soon after Dan Gosling
came on for Peanuts. I seem to
remember Osman and Cahill spurning
chances in the first period of
extra- time. I was getting anxious
now.
The spectre of penalties loomed on
the horizon. Van der Meyde was
suddenly on for who I don't know...
and still don't... ha ha!. Then it
happened.. Shandy dug out a peach of
a cross from the corner where the
Park End and the Main Stand meet.
Gosling collected ( thought he'd let
it get away with that first touch!)
and controlled it then shaped his
body to place it round a despairing
Reina...
Goal!!!!
The roof nearly comes off and I'm
launched into this surreal place
from which I've not returned
entirely since. That is why it's
taken so long for me to write this
report!!
Freakin' brilliant..we hang on to
finish the game winners. Possibly as
good an Everton moment I've had in
twenty years. So, so happy...
The journey home was fantastic until
we hit very bad snowy conditions
south of Banbury. That's a story in
itself and it will take too long to
tell here now. I just want to extend
my thanks to Brownie for doing a
sterling job with the driving and to
the rest of the lads for a great day
out.
We can win this cup.. I know we can.
See you at Villa Sunday...
COYB NSNO
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