No Stroll In The Park

Gooners overcame all odds yesterday when they completed an almost unthinkable season by beating West Brom Strollers to grab the first silverware in the clubs history. Just getting through the last six games was deemed too much by many, when @peace was asked his opinion his response was "impossible, you will need a miracle!” Then to get so close to the trophy... only to have to beat recent league champions West Brom (managed by Tal, under FMR's recommendation) was simply to agonizing for many a Gooners fan.

Gooners had promised a DV focused line up, but FMR had made some last minute changes due to playing style and the match referee. Gooners players looked focused and up for the task ahead... Gooners would have been hoping for West Brom to send out a second string side and saved their pennies for next season rather than slap on a win bonus with nothing at stake. It was not the case though and it seems Strollers were totally set on winning the game and no favours were forth coming.

As the game got underway it became apparent Gooners squad had been sent out with orders to hold nothing in reserve and take no prisoners... As we had seen earlier in the season against Bristol City, Gooners seemed to be getting the benefit of the doubt though and ironically most of the decisions went in Gooners favour. In only the third minute Gooners were awarded the first free kick of the game... Borja managed to fire on target but Valdezuka was equal to the effort. Gooners continued the offensive early on maintaining possession; in the twelfth minute Henry had a clear cut chance that somehow managed to find the crossbar rather than the net.

Although it was Gooners who were leaving nothing to chance in the tackle, it would be Brown who picked up the first booking... the Strollers faithful were far from impressed! Gooners kept possession well and in the 25th minute Bergkamp’s searching pass found Borja, once he had collected the ball the after burners were on and the moment he found the extra yard the trigger was pulled and Valdezuka was found wanting. The celebration was short and sweet as Gooners were more than aware one goal was never going to be enough and with plenty of time still on the clock, it was only going to make things harder. Straight away Strollers responded controlling possession and forcing Gooners back. On the 31st minute young Steve Bould made a lunge in his own box and without hesitation the ref pointed to the spot!

Tony Brown looked the obvious candidate for taking the penalty, but after some intervention from the manager Darren Moore was given the nod. FMR was now pacing and chewing like a man possessed... as the ref blew FMR dropped to his knees and closed his eyes.... Seaman who was reportedly playing his last game for Gooners guessed right and tipped the ball over, the stadium went silent for the next few seconds before the fans roared in delight. Not so many miles away Greatness had taken the lead against Carthage and nothing other than a win was going to be enough for Gooners, Highbury was now at boiling point and all those in red were in full voice.

Strollers now controlled the game but were unable to break Gooners down; Rocastle who was only picked in the dyeing minutes over Silva took one for the team and was booked in the 40th minute. He shrugged it off as if laughing at the ref... This was his last game before retirement and he was totally focused on going out on a high. West Brom were relentless though and had a freekick awarded in the 43rd minute, with no renowned dead ball specialist on the pitch Moore stepped up again but low in confidence and without much power behind the shot Seaman again made it look simple. Soon after the ref blew for half time, score from the other game was now one all after Carthage equalised... it did not change FMR’s half time talk and win at all cost was the message!

Gooners attacked from the whistle in the second half taking the game to West Brom, in the 46th minute Fabregas tried to lift it over the keeper who dealt with it easily. Early signs were good though and in the 51st minute Henry broke free, Valdezuka came off his line early again and this time Henry made sure... hands were on mouths as they waited for his lob to drop and when it did, the noise from the home support was immense! Rocastle though had left his pass too late and Henry had wandered offside... goal disallowed, FMR was now a worried man and knew the last 40 minutes would be anything but comfortable. Gooners had given everything they had and could not maintain this pace much longer.

Strollers found an opening five minutes later through Regis...whose header was off target, the game had opened up massively now and it was becoming end to end. A roar had gone up from the home support as news filtered through of a Carthage goal... this meant they would win whatever the outcome against Strollers but FMR knew there was still much time for things to change and began pacing ever harder and pushing his troops onwards. On the 61st minute Regis was stretchered off and it seemed as if Strollers goal threat was lessening, Gooners began to control the majority of possession again and the home support was now in full song as if the celebrations were already underway.

Kyle Lang in his 100th appearance for the club had the chance to kill the game off in the 83rd minute but miscued completely, Lee Hughes for West Brom saw his header saved in the 86th minute and Seaman was looking like the player of old before injury wrecked his career. Strollers finished the half the stronger of the two teams but Gooners defence remained strong, the ref played an extra three minutes of time before finally putting the Gooners fans and FMR out of their misery!

News in the other game was that Carthage had beaten Greatness and Gooners would have won whatever the outcome, although to finish the season in the fashion they did will mean everything to these players! Tears of joy were found all around the pitch... many had simply collapsed where they stood... which is more than understandable because this is a team that won due to giving everything not only in this game but every time they took to the field, it is a story of a massive under dogs and there will not be another set of supporters prouder than those that packed this stadium today!