3rd qualifying round FA cup
Alcoholic Units – 4 or 5….🤥
Ground Rating – 8 / 10
Friendliness – 3 / 10
1st October 2022
Ground Rating – 7 / 10
Waders MoM – Timmy Smith
A few of the Green Army were on the coach for todays match; Chelseaboy, Bunnyman, Grandad, Rodney, Lew, Em&M. I did wonder if we would make it at one point, when an hour into the journey we had barely left Stevenage! luckily Justin frequents these part nearly as much as BigAl and gave the driver an alternative route to fetch the rest of the player from South Mimms.
I don’t think any of us were hugely confident going into this – but it the FA cup, so there’s always a chink of hope. When we did arrive and the coach eventually shown a place to park we dismounted and made our way to the cash only turnstiles (turns out one of them was cash after all 🙄)- A few of us had bought the tickets online (an option I like) and so we made our way through meeting BigAl as he had dumped us muggles to walk though the special doors in his media man capacity…🤣
The clubhouse was massive, but was already packed with the crowd watching the NLD (unfortunately there were no friendly Spurs fans, it was a sea of red with pockets of ‘Stone Island’ 😐- Chelseaboy made his way to the bar, using his card for the 2nd time this year. after a while stood looking like idiots in the middle of the clubhouse we moved ourselves into a corner where BigAl was shielded from the NLD and we could at least lean against a wall.
By now DJ was demanding his burger – BigAl got a couple of salt beef bagels (they looked lush) from the snack bar (I say snack bar – it was massive, serving inside and out) – I managed to sneak one bite but it was then gone! DJ however was less than impressed and actually left some of the meat (I wish I’d realised earlier) – I really think that is a 1st for him… and it no insult to the bagels because they were indeed lush, it just if DJ wants and burger then DJ MUST HAVE a BURGER…
I almost forgot the one nice sight when walking into the clubhouse was Teddy from the Millwall crew, he decided to pay us a visit 🙂 Steve would have joined him but he’d booked tickets to watch Peter Andre swing his hips…
Both me and Em were amazed by the ladies loo’s – it was like a nightclub in there, certainly the best I have ever visited 🙂
So out for the 1st half, where we were joined by a couple of local lads who decided to throw their support behind us today…
Waders came out confidently as did the home side and the start was pretty even. Smyth had an early chance, but the keeper was all over it. Things remained even, but then against the run of play Billericay scored.
By now Chelseaboy, Lew and I had gone to get the next round in and before the whistle went we heard cheering and we thought the worst… when the GreenArmy joined us we were informed Waders had gone 2 – 0 down, but Obi had sneeked a cheeky one in right on half time 2 – 1…😃
So a teeny bit downbeat we headed out for the 2nd half… what would this bring 🤔 Happy to report that this half did bring DJ his much wanted burger and me some chips 😂
Billericay are no mugs and weren’t going to take it easy in this half, pressing our defence and the outstanding Timmy Smith who made save after brilliant save! sadly they did break through after about 10 minutes 3 – 1 👀
We could of given up, but you know the GreenArmy, we’re small but when ‘oiled’ up and led from the mighty Lewey – we can make some noise, and so we did ⚽️💚⚽️💚
I like to think that the Waders responded to this support 💚 who knows – but they certainly didn’t give up and with 9 minutes left after some wonderful play in the midfield, Waders scored 😃⚽️😃 3 -2
“Clemo’s on fire!!!!”
Time was ticking now and we grew louder (my thumb is still bruised from all that banging!🤣) and we weren’t disappointed when Clements smacked a shot through on 92.
The GreenArmy went mad!!! It was like we’d won the FA cup!
It was a lively journey home – I’m really starting to warm to this squad 💚⚽️ The players even asked Lew if he would lead them out at Tuesday nights replay 😍
#Waders #GreenArmy #Wembley #FACup #WadersNo.1
💚⚽️💚⚽️
Waders Green Army Blog by WaderBird 