T'was a Grand Day Out (until it wasn't)
by David Parker
As a resident of Wiltshire I don’t get to see the Wanderers in the flesh very often.
I look upon myself as a bit of a Jonah actually. I submit matches at Bristol Rovers and Reading as evidence thereof. In fact, further back in history I can also cite such Wembley epics as Bristol City, Stoke, Aston Villa et al.
My last clear memory of a BWFC victory in my presence was a Nathan Blake injury-time winner during the early days of the then Reebok. And, today, I can now add Swindon. Swindon??!!
A Swindon fan friend of mine “treated” me to the last match of last season against the mighty Bromley, Swindon losing to a 92nd minute own goal. We had a hospitality package which involved the man of the match being presented to about 100 people, still in his kit, although I think he had to take his boots off to save the carpet.
The MOM was unfortunately the defender who put through his own goal, which really does support the proposition that MOM awards should wait for the final whistle.
Anyway, I decided to get my own back by returning the hospitality. I thought that a cup game wasn’t necessarily going to inflict as much damage to the team as my baleful presence at a league encounter.
Said friend along with my 40 year old son, whose last Wanderers game was Reading at Wembley (he’s a Wiltshire boy really), were lavished with Swindon’s finest catering, a posh seat (away from the sans culottes), free program and access to mucho Guinness before during and after the game.
A fairly even first half, spoiled by some dimwit sticking his hand in the air, was shaded by the Wanderers, possession wise. But hope was revived when a Town player managed to miss the widest of open goals after a brain fade from Eoin Toal.
The second half was a complete embarrassment. Swindon just wanted it more. Our team seemed to require some introductions to each other, as clearly they didn’t recognise the players to pass to. The whole affair reminded me of the Oxford debacle where a high pressing side could bamboozle our back line by daring to challenge them.
Still, the Guinness leavened the shame and disappointment. And I promise not to attend the likely re-match here next season in League One. Unless I make a bet on the opposition to win.
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