Our Cup runneth over.

I couldn't let last night's (football) game go by unmentioned. And to be fair, I did warn you that this blog will have "occasional forays into obscure Nordic music and opinionated 'dribble' [sic] on Grimsby Town Football Club."

Last night was FA Cup, 4th round replays night, and whilst the national media's attention was fixed obsessively on "Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham" at Sheffield United, steaming silently under the radar was little old Grimsby Town. 1st round, Plymouth (then top of League 1) were despatched 5-1. Then in the 2nd round League 1 Cambridge were beaten at their home (just 2-1 this time). The third round is when the big clubs enter the competition, but Grimsby got Burton Albion. Not a 'sexy draw' but a winnable game. And they were duly beaten 1-0 too. Round 4 entailed a trip to Luton. In a way, the worst of all ties from our point of view - Luton going great guns in the Championship were heavy favourites, but it wasn't like playing against one of the big clubs. i.e. a good chance of being beaten but not in front of a big crowd. Unkind souls noted it was a contest between two 'shit towns'. Nevertheless a Good Day was had. Friends old a new were met along the way. Other acquaintances were chatted to in the pub. Songs were sung. And the Mariners came away with a well deserved draw. (I made good use of the previously  Freedom Pass and only had to pay for the last leg of the journey from outer-London). 

So on to the replay. Not being motivated enough to make the 400 mile round trip 'home', I settled in to listen on line. Commentary courtesy of the BBC Radio Humberside team. Speculation, chat and 'bantz' passing across t'internet via WhatsApp. This felt like, well, something good. It sounded like the ground* was rocking. * Blundell Park somehow doesn't qualify as a 'stadium'. On the way to collect the Eldest of the Youngest, I listened to the commentary. I must have looked a right loon shaking my fist and yelling when Harry 'one of our own' Clifton scored on 10 minutes. I hadn't been back long when the marvellously coiffeured, and too good looking for division 4 football, Danilo Orsi scored. Luton were obviously shocked and were not on their front foot, but they are a good team and worked their way back in to the game. Pressure, pressure. I messaged 'the lads' that "we need another". And it arrived direct from a free kick right before the half time whistle. 3 shots. 3 goals. Clinical.

Tweets of the goals were in circulation. Including one of the third, filmed by someone amongst the Luton fans behind their goal. As the free kick was lined up, you could hear one of their fans (let's call him LF1) shouting "the far post. Post. The far post." Then another voice (LF2) as the ball was hit. "It's going straight out". Then "THWACK" as the ball hit the far post and rebounded into the net. Should have listened to LF1. That thwack is a most satisfying noise. There's another clip of the same goal from a similar angle showing one of the Luton players stood near the far post after the goal was scored, looking totally confused by the whole thing. Looking up and down, trying to figure out what had just happened. Marvellous!

3-0 up. Half the game to go. Decades of disappointment kept my feet on the ground and stopped me thinking we've got this wrapped up. Any sane person would have thought, with good reason, we have got this wrapped up.  Listening on the radio, there is always that extra moment of doubt before you find out what had actually happened. Especially with that particular BBC Radio Humberside commentator, who, let's put it this way, is renowned for causing heart attacks amongst the listening faithful**. Luton switched it around and dominated possession in the second half. To be honest, they wasted some of it too. And I think 2 or 3 good saves were made. The clock wound down. 30 minutes. They could easily turn the game round. 20 minutes - it's still possible for Luton to get one, then two, then who knows. Clearly they have the better footballers. Much better. Individually. But hardwork, and spirit and teamwork count for a lot. And add in a bit of intelligence to the mix. Substitutes were made by the Grimsby manager. Why am I, 200 miles way, with one-way communications, applauding a player leaving the field that I couldn't even see?! 15, 10, 5 minutes. OK we can dream now. Only 3 minutes time added on. Right breath. Peep! Pandemonium. Lovely stuff.

I'll save my moans about the FA switching all 5th round ties to midweek. In any case I think I would break the profanity checker.

** we still love him though. Here his (John Tondeur) radio commentary is superimposed on brief video highlights

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/64497395

And one for the purists. Extended highlights (7+ mins) with commentary from local legend John Moore. What a voice! 😊

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuHj6SSRo0w