Star’s front row seat for sporting history
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Rollercoaster battle for Wembley place
Tuesday 12th May 2009, 6:00AM BST.
Sam Morris was at both Shrewsbury Town games, and here he gives his view of the rollercoaster battle for a place at Wembley.
Nerves. Feeling sick. Just a few of the emotions that I, along with 2,087 other Shrewsbury Town fans felt at Gigg Lane on Sunday.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Well, in this case, Cometh the club. Everybody connected to Shrewsbury Town can be proud of what they have achieved so far – hopefully with more to come!
I set off from Shrewsbury with five others at 8am, arriving in Bury just after 10.
All I could see was people decked in Blue and Amber, and by the time I got to the away turnstiles, the queues were already very long.
Once in the ground, the atmosphere began to build, including a massive reception for Luke Daniels and Neil Ashton, to show support despite their error from the First Leg.
The adrenaline and excitement were beginning to kick in, and I just wanted the game to start.
Town started brightly. Bury created a few good chances, but the man mountain that is Luke Daniels stood firm in the Town goal.
Time ticked on, and it looked as though we weren’t going to do it. That was, until the 88th minute!
Long ball, drops to Kevin McIntyre, bang, goal! Cue pandemonium in the away end! Every single Shrewsbury fan felt a huge amount of relief. We were still in it!
The full time whistle meant extra-time. Thirty minutes more of nerves. Kick off. Ball forward. Foul by Leslie. Red Card. You must be joking?
Twenty-nine minutes with ten men. At this point, I felt we were doomed. However, Daniels continued to be in inspired form and he managed to keep Bury out.
Penalties. After the heartbreak of watching England lose countless shoot-outs, and Salop losing to Brighton earlier this season, I didn’t know what to expect or do!
The first four penalties were excellent. It seemed like we were going to be here for ages. But then Daniels saved Bury’s third attempt, get in there!
Now if McIntyre scores, we have the upper hand. Please Kev, put it away!
GOAL! We have the upper hand and are in control. Bury then score, but so does David Worrall.
Up steps Andy Bishop, knowing he has to score. Luke Daniels, having had such a good game, knows a save and we are at Wembley.
Here he comes.
SAVED. WE ARE GOING TO WEMBLEY!!!
The away end goes berserk and breaks out into celebratory songs.
A thrilling day, capped off with making it to Wembley. Let’s just hope that we finish it off properly, unlike in 2007!
Oh, and just a thought to finish on: This is will be our second visit to the new Wembley in three years. Liverpool and Newcastle have never been there!
Sam Morris
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