I blame Tom Palmer. If I hadn't bumped into him at Harshead Moor Services on the way to the match we wouldn't have lost. Having coffee with a Leeds United fan ahead of an important game like that was bound to influence the outcome.
It began so well, too. The atmosphere outside the ground was buzzing as 31,000 Town fans and 17,000 Posh fans descended on Trafford Way, our combined blue and white colours morphing into one. The air resonated with the sound of fans' singing and the pungency of fried onions from the numerous burger vans lining the surrounding streets. People took it in turns to take photographs beneath the iconic statue of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton outside the main entrance with Town fans having bragging rights as Denis was one of our players before Man U.
Despite its vastness compared to the Glapharm, Old Trafford is easy to navigate and we found our seats in the Stretford End nae bather. It does take your breath away as you come up the stairs and out into the 'ampitheatre' of dreams - especially when blue and white instead of red is the dominant colour. Dean Hoyle, chairman of HTAFC, bless him, had made sure the fans each had a 'Believe' t shirt on their seat to greet them. We were in one of the blue sections. It all added to the day.
The first half was OK. Not brilliant but OK. Peterborough probably edged it with their ace striker Craig Mackail-Smith proving a handful. Luckily Antony Kay was on full alert and made some timely tackles to prevent him scoring. At half-time our unbeaten run of 27 matches without loss was intact. Hopes were high. Town are renouned for coming out all guns blazing in the second half.
The play-off final proved no exception. We ran it. For 30 minutes we ran it. If you watched it on TV you'll know we ran it. Hunt, Roberts, Ward and Afobe were immense. making incisive runs into the box with Hunt's cross on 58 minutes coming so close to scoring the opener and a great chance for Afobe on 75. Then disaster. We gave away a free-kick on the edge of their penalty area. It took a slight deflection off Naysmith and Rowe scored on 78. We could have coped - we would have equalised, I'm sure - but two minutes later they scored again. Mackail-Smith (who else?) from a deflection off Kay. That second goal on 80 minutes was the killer. Town slumped. Heads went down. Tackles became less cautious in dangerous areas. Peter Clarke's foul set up their third on 85 minutes. Game over.
I barely noticed. I was distracted by things landing on my head from the upper tier. Dean Hoyles' t shirts were being lobbed by some 'fans' in disgust. Higher up to my right a fight had broken out. A fight! Among our own fans! Disgraceful scenes followed before stewards stepped in to eject the idiots. According to Twitter five or six men had been obnoxious all match, kicking off big time after the second goal. When people complained they turned on them, with one woman being spat at full in the face and a guy having his head kicked in - in front of horrified families. It beggars belief. I hope the bunch of morons are banned for life. Town, like every club, has always had a cretinous element among the rank and file of decent fans; it's just a pity they were allowed off their leashes for the final.
That soured things further to say the least. However, unlike some 'fans' - I'm having to use inverted commas a lot here - I stayed until the end. I clapped our lads. They'd given their all, not just today but throughout the season. Peter Clarke was in tears. Clarke, our toughest guy, our hard nut defender, crying his eyes out. Proof, if needed of how much he cared. Proof, if needed, that Town will be back, refreshed, regrouped and gunning for automatic. So yes, the 2010-11 season is officially over. In the words of the great philosopher, Vinny Jones, it's been emotional.
Roll on August!
Helena Pielichaty
PS Sorry about lack of images - I took loads of photos but Blogger's being awkward and won't let me download them. Will try again later.
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