Been so busy gardening, trying to tidy up the back garden, maybe as a subliminal way to distance myself from the disappointing display up at Barnsley last week. I give great credit to the Barnsley team, but it has been rare this season to see such a collapse – even against a superior team. And, make no bones about it: Barnsley out played us in every department.
But, as the day of the second leg dawned I set about tasks with a will: hanging baskets, strimming, moving pots …
Inside my head I was telling myself that we didn’t need to score four goals. We only needed to score three. That would take it into extra time – then we could get the fourth – winning goal. If we could score an early goal; say within the first twelve minutes we would then have seventy eight minutes stretching before us: one goal every thirty nine minutes.
Oh, and, of course, not give one away.
How hard could it be?
My brother dropped in to pick me up – and we were cocooned in traffic for the final three and a bit miles. Police had closed the West Bromwich Road for some reason … and we later found out that there was a convoy of travellers “being escorted” through the region. The whole Sky TV paraphernalia and outside broadcast circus was in place. Vans, cables, barriers and baloney. So a long walk round, past the very happy-before-kick-off (and why not?) Barnsley fans. A lot of coaches: fine away support unsurprisingly in good voice and gooder spirits.
And, inside the ground they are packed into the away end and I am momentarily envious. They have the upper hand (three goals ahead!), this is – at worst – a matter of not conceding goals. They are in confident mood. Indeed, they are the form team in League One, having overcome problems before Christmas – on a roll now – and only ninety minutes away from Wembley. Bit greedy, they’ve been once already in the Johnstone’s (dare I mention it?) Paint Trophy.
And into the ground via the Savoy Lounge. Cully and Andy had had to work hard to protect my reserved seat. And the camera, with that miserable looking camera-man who scowled at me last time he was here, were in a slightly different position – so it actually was my season ticket seat.
Kick off – and Barnsley pushed straight up. We got stuck in too. Three goals to get, heads down, let’s get about it.
But Barnsley had lost none of their edge. They were prepared to attack: our attempts to play just three at the back looked, at times dangerous. But O’Connor was giving nothing away; a real rock alongside Downing and Andy Taylor. Rough and tumble. Rico Henry is such a star: versatile, skilful and waspish when he loses the ball. Playing this evening up the left wing; opposite Jason Demetriou.
Tom Bradshaw and Jordy Hiwula are paired together up front. It might work, but we have to get the ball to them – and the two very capable Barnsley centre halves are a classy partnership, with an excellent goalie behind them.
Barnsley miss, or are denied a couple of early chances. We go close a couple of times, but seem to lack a self-belief which has been present until these play offs. But there is no lack of effort. From either team.
Then the worst thing happens. They, pressing forward in numbers, get the ball into the net. I am convinced that it was actually off-side But the referee gives it. And now the pressure is on!
Barnsley, having proved their superiority, settle back.
We have to push up a little more recklessly t this point. Leaving us vulnerable.
But what else to do?
Then a little bit of character comes back. A bit of backbone. We are losing, but stand up and get stuck in again.
But, sure enough we concede another goal. Five goals behind!
It would have been the first time any team has come back from three goals behind in a play-off semi-final … but five?
Jordan Cook comes on. He is all action, busy and calm enough to open up his body and place a brilliantly cool shot past the Barnsley keeper. But I think we all know: too little, too late.
Rico Henry makes an uncharacteristic blunder at the back – and Barnsley are three one up on the night.
It has been a super season, but this is bitterly disappointing.
There can be debate about the role of the play offs. It certainly makes money, extends TV coverage and has more teams involved in promotion struggles up to the very end-plus-some of the season.
In the old days, Walsall, finishing third, would have simply been promoted after an intense league campaign.
Who will be in the team when the friendlies begin? We have seen some extremely talented players. Sawyers, classy on his day; Henry, surely destined for the Premiership at some stage. Bradshaw, off to join the Welsh squad warming up for the European Championships in a couple of weeks. Not all of those called up will be in the final squad, but his twenty goals this season must stand him in good stead.
We’ve had three managers; easy to forget that somehow, a few blips, some storming away games – and, this being football and, more specifically Walsall, there have been some slip-ups.
But, having said all of that – for my brother and I – enough is enough. We leave, dejected, before the final whistle and are back at the car before all the celebrations (last game at Bescot for a while) are complete.
Barnsley go to Wembley, we go to find a pub and sink a few beers.
Next season will be around soon enough and, hey we are still in every competition – until we are not!
Trials and Trails: life and times of a Walsall fan 