Dublin Hammers Meeting - FA Cup Semi Final 2006 - Villa Park
West Ham 1 vs Middlesboro 0
I thought get there a bit early today, could be busy... could be... the place was feckin' heaving! Some members had made the effort to put up flags and claret & blue balloons and by kick-off the atmosphere was electric! The first half was pretty awful from our point of view, Boro made all the chances, and with an extra man in midfield, we were struggling to hang on to the ball. In fact I think we only had one shot on goal? Thankfully half time found us still in the game at 0-0. Cue GIANT GRUB UP!, sandwiches, chip, sauages, chicken wings... buckets of it! Well done to the Committee!
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In the first 10 minutes of the second half, we had more possession and chances than the entire first half! The tension mounted as the game entered the last 15 minutes with the score still locked at 0-0. Then it happened! Reo-Coker passed to Harewood inside the area, he turned and launched a missile of a shot into the Boro net... Cue total mayhem as table, chairs and the odd glass went flying! It was a super goal, such was the power of the shot that the boro keeper didn't stand a chance of saving it!
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With 10 minutes to go, we resorted to the usual nail-biting, goal mouth scrambling nightmare... boro should have scored... To get through the 5 minutes of extra time members sang a rousing rendition of "Johnny Lyall's Claret and Blue Army" with each side of the room taking it turns... a memorable moment. And then the final whistle went and the party started!
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A great afternoon, plenty of singing of bubbles, not to mention a few classic songs dating back to the late 70s (yes, some of us can remember back that far!). Best quote of the day came as one long-standing member was on the mobile to his wife, "I take it you won" she said... "see you tomorrow" he said!" Great meeting... Bring on the Scouse!