A Moment Of History

I have been telling you.

The match reports for the last few weeks have all carried a theme, namely that we're due. One week we were going to get a bit of luck, one week we were going to be rewarded for the hard work etc. So, against a really good side who finished near the top of League One last year, could the Revs get something?

A near full strength squad available, the Revs could choose from Dave H, Dave P, Jamie, James, Ty, Lewis and Gaz on the pitch, while in goal Matt the Cat put another shift in. Olly was missing due to being on Leicester City's pre-season tour and Phil was missing because he's lazy.

So into the first half and Smack My Pitch Up predictably had all the play. After about two minutes the bar was struck from a great volley and the tone was set - how long could we hold out for?

As it turned out, all of the first half. Defensively we worked really well as a unit, lots of talking, lots of blocking and covering, and generally we looked surprisingly solid. There was the odd nervy moment but were fighting and playing on the counter.

So 0-0 at halftime and that felt massive. Whatever happened now we felt like at least we'd got this far. They switched after half time and bought their biggest defender forward knowing we weren't testing them at the back but something happened.

Not only did the defending continue to be magnificent but we started to probe a bit up top. Having the measure of a defender who couldn't get past him Ty stopped up there to win the ball and twice Lewis was within a touch of being in. Then we forced a corner, our first of that game compared to Smack My Pitch Up's 247, and one or two of us felt like we might be able to pinch it.

After harrying his man Dave P won a kick in on the left. He played it straight to my feet, turn, pot shot, in and clean through the side netting - 1-0 to the Revs! Could we actually take all 3 points here?!?

With only 4 or 5 minutes left it was all hands to the pumps. No longer interested in getting forward it was then about providing a wall that couldn't be broken. Another couple of blocks, a few tackles, Lewis' head like a Sheriff's badge, some wild clearances, then relief as the final whistle blew. We'd won.

There's no feeling like winning and we headed to pub to talk about Phil's vest with a smile on our face. Quite a game, a much deserved slice of luck, and our first win on the new pitches. Where do we go from here? Well, this being the Revs we probably lose but as Ty has said to numerous women over the years, we'll always have last night.