Beer sin Portsmouth after the play off semi final

Portsmouth v Sunderland Play Off Semi Final 2nd leg

Heading into the play off semi final 2nd leg it stands 1~0 after a Sunderland win on Saturday night – 1st leg review here sunderland-v-portsmouth – this is a tie still in the balance. Given we’ve played them 4 times already, (3 times in the last month) and I’d hoped that the the football season would be finished…. add to this, it’s effectively a 2 day trip as it’s fucking miles and it’s live on TV. It is discussed that the sensible thing to do would be to watch it on TV.

Common sense prevails…… does it bollocks!! Can’t miss the play off semi final!

Play off semi final 2nd leg away to Portsmouth

A long journey is made somewhat longer, given the naive approach of, ‘head south then put sat nav on……’.

With the benefit of hindsight ~ I should have perhaps consulted a map and not been guided by a man who grows vegetables for a hobby?

“Probably added 90 minutes onto the journey ~ but who cares with tunes like this?”

Portsmouth….nearly in France

Despite the scintillating company of a boring idiot with a shit beard, who spends most of the journey reading facts from google …. I now know ….how many River Ouses there are in the UK, the length of The Great Wall of China, the circumference of the earth and loads of other random shite.

“It’s nearly in France!”

There’s been lots of comments about the ownership of the club. The vast majority of which are hugely positive ~ there’s also been some negativity and scepticism, (plenty of it by me to be honest).

But….. we are 90 minutes from Wembley and Stewart Donald says he’s getting the beers in ~ fair play and a great gesture.

Eastleigh FC for aa few drinks on the way to Portsmouth Sunderland in the play off semi final

“Beers at Eastleigh courtesy of the Chairman – decent set up http://www.eastleighfc.com

Arrive in Portsmouth for the play off semi final

Onto Portsmouth. Takes fucking ages ~ but we arrive in good time

Sunderland team bus arrives at Portsmoth for the play off semi final

“I know you’ve booked the bus out for bank holiday weekend ~ but we might need it for a trip to North London?”

After the impromptu stop at Eastleigh and the horrendous traffic (imagine if they got big crowds??), we arrive at the hotel, quick beer and it’s pretty much time for the match. Having felt pretty calm all day, the nerves start to kick in.

I’ve no idea if Portsmouth have any plans to build a new stadium? If they don’t, it would perhaps be a good idea? I always enjoy the traditional grounds ~ but it’s pretty shite to be honest.

Fratton Park for Portsmouth v Sunderland

“Away end stairway to heaven?”

Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg

Nervous ~ but these are the games you want to be involved in”

It’s been much documented that some idiot behaved poorly. Not going to give that the attention it doesn’t deserve. That said the reactions of Catts and Power speak volumes for the passion and togetherness we have in this group of players. I’m sure it was a pretty tough watch on TV ~ but from the stands the play off semi final was a fantastic watch. Passion and heart!! N’dong, Januzaj etc these men are not! Even Grigg made a tackle when he came on!

Half time 0~0

Full time 0~0

After a season of draws, there’s a beautiful irony that s draw gets us to Wembley.

Sunderland Portsmoth 2nd leg play off semi final

“Proper bad ass cops these ~ Joe Strummer called this one right”

Sunderland draw 0 - 0 and head to Wembley for the play off final

“Job done”

“After such a tense evening ~ the importance of rehydration cannot be underestimated”

Homeward bound

Anyone who uses our roads to go to away games, will know there is a massive disparity in the standard of Motorway Service Stations? For me, Peterborough North has always been #1…. but ‘Thirwell’…. WOW …. like a fucking airport. Might write up a league table in the summer months?

In the words of Mark E Smith…. “Hit the North”

Sunderland face Charlton at Wembley in the Play off final

“See you all there ~ preview of the Charlton Academicals game online on Monday”

Regular readers of the blog will be aware the actual match is not always covered in too much detail. But on this occasion ~ it would be remiss for me not to say that the courage and bravery that Grant Leadbitter showed to play 90 minutes was just incredible .

For any of us who have lost a parent(s), they will know how brave Grant was. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your parents Grant, but they would so, so proud of you. 100% respect.