Saturday, August 06, 2011

AFC Wimbledon 2-3 Bristol Rovers - Report

Okay, team prediction - wrong. Score prediction - wrong. Rovers win - hell yes!

Words cannot describe the sense of absolute delight that erupted from the away terrace when Adam Virgo placed his 84th minute penalty in to the top right-hand corner to present Rovers with 3 points on the opening day of the season. It must have been a thrilling game for the Sky Sports viewers, but from a Gas perspective, watching the Wombles score twice to level the score was horrific. Horrific that is, until the referee awarded the Gas a stone wall penalty with just 5 minutes of normal time remaining, - about the only decision he gave our way in the entire game - which was duly converted by an eager Virgo, who admits he was to blame for the equalising home goal.

Upon entering the ground, I was asked to provide ID when going through the turnstiles, to prove I was under 16 as my ticket says. I had no ID and neither did anybody else, seeing as no other club have asked for it before. After being interrogated by this middle aged geezer, I got in to the ground and along side my 3 mates, tried to find a decent spot on the terrace! We eventually settled for a spot just to the right of the Rovers subs bench and were in the middle of the action when it unfolded on the pitch... perfect!

Delighted in how the first goal was scored by Scotty McGleish. It was fantastic to see the brilliant Matt Gill dispossess their player from a goalie's throw out before playing a superbly weighted through ball which was finished with aplomb. From delight to delirium as within 5 minutes Matt Harrold got in on the act, nodding in after Scotty chipped the ball across goal after home goalie Seb Brown dived frantically to save an original effort on goal. Mental. The Rovers fans were going wild and I must admit, at that point I thought we'd go on and score a few more. But in good old Rovers tradition, it wasn't that simple!

The Wombles were able to reduce the deficit with a fine header from their captain, although it was disappointing to see us concede after looking fairly comfortable defensively beforehand. It lifted the home side and they started the second half in a similarly upbeat fashion. It wasn't until after substitute Charles Ademeno entered the play that AFC got the equalising goal they craved. The striker swivelled to fire past Scott Bevan and look to have earned them a point in their first game in the Football-league.

But, Rovers were to be the pantomime villains and go against the script the home side were reading from. The referee could be classed as a complete homer, as every decision was given in Wimbledon's favour. But he had to award the stone wall penalty that was given our way in the final minutes of the game, to present us with the chance to win an encounter that we had seemingly thrown away. Chris Lines originally took the ball, however, it became apparent very quickly that this was going to be Adam Virgo's spot kick and few argued! The ball was placed on the spot and it was hearts in mouths time for Gasheads. Could we snatch the victory to give us the perfect possible start to the new season...?

Oh yes we could! Virgo placed his penalty perfectly in to the top corner to the despair of the home side, but he and his team-mates couldn't care less and they sprinted towards a jubilant away terrace to celebrate with us - a fantastic moment! You could see just how much it meant to the players at that moment and that really stands out.

All in all, what a magnificent result for Rovers. To be the party-poopers on AFC's big day and go home with all 3 points... a job very much well done! I will hopefully upload a video of the penalty tomorrow!

Goodnight Irene!

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