It’s in to the revamped Best Cafe where Michael the Whovian has been to see a play called Cathy that actually gives the Best Cafe a namecheck - surely a lucky omen. He then orders “Set 2” from the menu as I suggest we had a nit of a Set 2 against Burnley three weeks ago. We’re met by Nigel who has rejoined the 92 Club after a trip to Forest Green where he strangely eschewed the vegan burgers, plus Mystic Matt and my daughter Lola.
Inside the stadium we find Fraser who has escaped a lifetime ban for wanting Ron Greenwood back, Alison and Scott. The crowd is positive throughout and all the talk of crisis appears to have galvanised the fans. The West Ham side looks up for it from the start. Antonio has to go off after nine minutes (will he ever be fit again?) but the team spirit is epitomised by sub Ednilson Fernandez who puts in a hardworking shift on the right.
We make the breakthrough just as Mystic Matt announces that Mario isn’t scoring or making goals. Happily we score from a Southampton corner. Kouyate makes a tremendous surging run down the right and finds Mario. He has time to take three touches before walloping his finish past McCarthy. It’s a cathartic moment as Super Mario runs to the crowd.
Arnie should score a second soon after but dinks wide. It gets better as Mario crosses and Arnautovic pokes home after the keeper’s initial save. He celebrates in the general direction of his old mate Mark Hughes. The Hammers score a wonderful third in first half added time. Masuaku has made a real difference on the left and fires in a perfect cross for Arnie to nonchalantly volley home. A great finish made to look easy.
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| The team that meets in caffs |
Southampton rolled over, but this was much much better from the Irons. Pleasingly as we head to Christchurch for an Easter break the train is full of depressed Saints fans. It's not over, but another win and a draw from the last seven games and we should be safe.
PLAYER RATINGS: Hart 6; Zabaleta 6, Ogbonna 7, Rice 7, Cresswell 7, Masuaku 8; Noble 8, Kouyate 8 (Cullen n/a), Mario 8; Antonio n/a (Fernandes 7), Arnautovic 9 (Hugill n/a).
3 comments:
Nice report Pete, I don't get to many games now as my son has emigrated to Canada, but your reports give me the flavour of a fun day out shared with friends.
Just got news that I have two tickets for the Everton game and going with my daughter who is now based in London. Hopefully its not the usual nail biting last game of the season and we have given ourselves some security of PL football over the next few games. But I do know its a roller coaster not a merry go round with WHU ! COYI
Hopefully it will all be settled by then but I doubt it with WHU! But much better on Saturday
Hi Pete. I'm currently half-way through your 'Goodbye Boleyn' book and really enjoying it. I'd forgotten all but a couple of games from that 15/16 season - although that has pretty much been the case since my first full season in 74/75! (Although I can just about remember EVERY game from that).
My first ever game was WH 2 Spuds 2 in September 1968 in which I saw Moore Hurst Peters Greaves Jennings Mackay etc - and all in colour for the first time from the North Bank. My dad took me home at HT though due to the torrential rain and my being too short and so could see hardly anything. A fortnight later though we were back for Sheffield Wednesday (1-1) from seats in the old West Stand (tickets 12/6).
Anyway I've come belatedly to your blog and am thoroughly enjoying it. Much respect and keep up the fine work.
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