As ever in life, good is mixed with bad. I, and those around me, were given a dose of the latter.
The news from Inverness was shockingly poor. Hearing that your own mother had a bout of blindness and needs two operations quickly, isn't great. Then on top of that, the uncle that introduced me to the delights of Ross County and Hearts - oh, the irony - has had a heart attack, had stents inserted, and probably needs a bypass.
Then, a lot closer to home. The landlord of my Bay place had long since died. But the executors are selling the place. Out on my ear in the new year, from the place I've loved living in more than any other. Minor in comparison to the others but a real pisser.
Today had better be good. Luckily, it's the Rocks. They won't let me down. Never a dull game and today a quick return to Chelmsford City, a place I felt at home at just three days ago.
Big day today. Win this FA Cup tie and there's a chance of a Football League fallen giant in the live draw for the 1st round tomorrow. Or, if you're unlucky, Coventry City.
East Thurrock United certainly have the better deal as far as Coventrys go. John and family are hugely respected in non-league circles for all the behind the scenes work they do at the club. Getting the team to play as well as they do so consistently is a huge achievement, too, for a club of their size.
A big task today, though. Glenn Pennyfather is another of those guys that has a genuine love of the game, and regularly fashions highly competitive Conference South sides for the Clarets. Chelmsford City are undoubtedly the favourites. Of course, my heart is with the Rocks, but I'll be genuinely pleased if City went through and landed a big club in the next round, too.
I get to the press box early. Just as well. Over an hour to kick off and it's already banged out, bar the seat with my name on it. Good lad, Chris. The Beeb are even anchoring their own sports show from the ground. There's real interest in this one, and as kick-off time drew nearer, a real crackle of anticipation. This could be a good 'un.
Good? That doesn't even begin to describe it. Early host pressure, an appeal for handball, we hold our breath - no can do guys. The Rocks settle down, get a throw in, a shot on the edge of the area, a deflection of Sam Higgins. 1-0 to East Thurrock United. The small band of visiting supporters go loudly bananas.
The Rookery Hill outfit take command. The midfield maestros of Reiss Gilbey, Ross Parmenter and Kris Newby have taken a grip of the game and Higgins, Hakeem Araba and Kye Ruel look more dangerous with each passing attack. The home crowd get restless. They even start shouting abuse at the ballboys, who must've been all of 8 or 9 years old. Good grief.
Then from nothing, of course, an equaliser. Chelmsford City get a corner on the right. Scramble. David Bridges. Bang. Goal. 1-1. Right on the stroke of half time. That's the Cup for you. I have my doubts now about the Rocks. Surely a Conference South outfit have to be fitter than a Ryman League side. And with Chelmsford's tails up, it's a big ask.
The play is unrelenting as the second half begins. Sam Higgins is released after a fine through ball, he rounds Stuart Searle in the Clarets goal, shoots towards an empty net, but it's cleared off the line. Minutes later, at the other end, Jamie Slabber wrestles Simon Peddie to the ground, and to everyone's amazement the ref waves play on. In comes the shot, a curler. It beats Richard Wray but smashes off the right hand edge of the crossbar. Just wow.
The crowd are alive, as if they are one huge living organism, engrossed totally in the cup tie. The intensity builds. A ball is played inside the six yard box. Richard Wray punches clear but then clashes heads. He's dazed. Covo trots over to see the damage. He looks over at the bench, indicating that Jamie Riley has to come on. This could be your moment, lad.
Still both sides go for it. The Rocks delivery at set pieces and crosses are bang on. You just feel, sooner or later, even with time ticking away, that at some point one of the forwards will get on the end of it. I'm happy with the draw, though, and with 4 minutes to go say on the radio that I hope nothing else of note happens.
Why the f*** do I have to tempt fate so much? Another cross goes in. This time, though, from the home side. Kenny Clark gets a head on it. It bounces then hits the back of the net. Melbourne Park erupts. I'm crestfallen but at least the Rocks have gone out on their shield.
The 4th official puts the indicator up. 10 minutes of injury time. Where did that come from? Consternation from everyone around me. They knew it wasn't over. They knew it was the cup. They just knew while the Rocks just hoped.
91 minutes became 92, 93, ticking away. Then the opportunity. A free kick wide on the left. Covo's such a canny manager. He makes a double substitution. Now the Chelmsford markers aren't sure who to go with. The East Thurrock United supporters behind the goal bang their hands against the metal covering. The whole ground bar them hold their breath.
Come on Kris, put us out of our misery one way or the other. One last chance to make use of your delivery. Just put it in now, mate, and whatever happens happens. He does. It's low-ish, inside the area. By now, time has almost stood still as we watch, mesmerised, waiting to see that vital touch one way or the other.
I miss the touch. So does everyone else. Lots of players running into each other. What we can see, though, is the ball. Slowly. Surely. Evading everyone. But not the far post. 98th minute. Chelmsford City 2, East Thurrock United 2.
I give up all pretence of impartiality. I'm out of my seat, fist raised. On the pitch, Chelmsford City players are on their knees. The men in amber, though, are running around in a frenzy. I shout, almost deliriously, the radio report.
Still time for a twist though. 100th minute and Chelmsford get the ball inside the area. The Rocks can't clear it, a shot is blocked, the ball falls to Anthony Cook on the edge of the six yard box. He hits it cleanly and on target. Oh shit. No.
The ball hammers off the bar and out again. Another scramble, another shot. Jamie Riley saves it. You bloody brilliant beauty. He kicks it away. Finally, the ref blows his whistle for the last time at Melbourne Park this afternoon.
The host supporters are disconsolate but generously give both sides a standing ovation for one of the great FA Cup ties you could ever wish to see anywhere. The press box is alive with emotion, not just from me, whilst I sum up for the radio.
As I'm wrapping up, two Chelmsford punters stand and stare. "Can you believe that?" one of the gutbuckets says to the other. "F*****g b******s. You must've watched a different game to me." Yes, I must've.
"Only my opinion" I replied with a smile, before adding to a media colleague "What a wanker." He turns and looks at me. "Have a nice trip home. See you Tuesday", I beam back at them. They slouch off. You get them everywhere, I suppose. But, of course, you don't normally get radio guys who give a bit back. I shouldn't have. But chortle.
Ahead of me is a three hour journey home back to the Bay. No trains on the Liverpool Street line. Fenchurch Street line screwed up again. The bus into Basildon and then onwards back to the Bay, though, seems to fly by. The adrenaline is still pumping. What a game. What a f*****g game.
Replay on Tuesday. In between that, the live draw tomorrow. Dare to dream? Not just yet. But after the shiteness of the past couple of days, the Rocks have restored a bit of my spirits. For that alone, today has been a good 'un. To earn a replay the way Covo and the boys did, though, that's made today spectacular.
What a game. What a f*****g game.
Chelmsford City 2, East Thurrock United 2
The news from Inverness was shockingly poor. Hearing that your own mother had a bout of blindness and needs two operations quickly, isn't great. Then on top of that, the uncle that introduced me to the delights of Ross County and Hearts - oh, the irony - has had a heart attack, had stents inserted, and probably needs a bypass.
Today had better be good. Luckily, it's the Rocks. They won't let me down. Never a dull game and today a quick return to Chelmsford City, a place I felt at home at just three days ago.
Big day today. Win this FA Cup tie and there's a chance of a Football League fallen giant in the live draw for the 1st round tomorrow. Or, if you're unlucky, Coventry City.
East Thurrock United certainly have the better deal as far as Coventrys go. John and family are hugely respected in non-league circles for all the behind the scenes work they do at the club. Getting the team to play as well as they do so consistently is a huge achievement, too, for a club of their size.
I get to the press box early. Just as well. Over an hour to kick off and it's already banged out, bar the seat with my name on it. Good lad, Chris. The Beeb are even anchoring their own sports show from the ground. There's real interest in this one, and as kick-off time drew nearer, a real crackle of anticipation. This could be a good 'un.
Good? That doesn't even begin to describe it. Early host pressure, an appeal for handball, we hold our breath - no can do guys. The Rocks settle down, get a throw in, a shot on the edge of the area, a deflection of Sam Higgins. 1-0 to East Thurrock United. The small band of visiting supporters go loudly bananas.
Then from nothing, of course, an equaliser. Chelmsford City get a corner on the right. Scramble. David Bridges. Bang. Goal. 1-1. Right on the stroke of half time. That's the Cup for you. I have my doubts now about the Rocks. Surely a Conference South outfit have to be fitter than a Ryman League side. And with Chelmsford's tails up, it's a big ask.
The play is unrelenting as the second half begins. Sam Higgins is released after a fine through ball, he rounds Stuart Searle in the Clarets goal, shoots towards an empty net, but it's cleared off the line. Minutes later, at the other end, Jamie Slabber wrestles Simon Peddie to the ground, and to everyone's amazement the ref waves play on. In comes the shot, a curler. It beats Richard Wray but smashes off the right hand edge of the crossbar. Just wow.
Still both sides go for it. The Rocks delivery at set pieces and crosses are bang on. You just feel, sooner or later, even with time ticking away, that at some point one of the forwards will get on the end of it. I'm happy with the draw, though, and with 4 minutes to go say on the radio that I hope nothing else of note happens.
Why the f*** do I have to tempt fate so much? Another cross goes in. This time, though, from the home side. Kenny Clark gets a head on it. It bounces then hits the back of the net. Melbourne Park erupts. I'm crestfallen but at least the Rocks have gone out on their shield.
91 minutes became 92, 93, ticking away. Then the opportunity. A free kick wide on the left. Covo's such a canny manager. He makes a double substitution. Now the Chelmsford markers aren't sure who to go with. The East Thurrock United supporters behind the goal bang their hands against the metal covering. The whole ground bar them hold their breath.
Come on Kris, put us out of our misery one way or the other. One last chance to make use of your delivery. Just put it in now, mate, and whatever happens happens. He does. It's low-ish, inside the area. By now, time has almost stood still as we watch, mesmerised, waiting to see that vital touch one way or the other.
I miss the touch. So does everyone else. Lots of players running into each other. What we can see, though, is the ball. Slowly. Surely. Evading everyone. But not the far post. 98th minute. Chelmsford City 2, East Thurrock United 2.
Still time for a twist though. 100th minute and Chelmsford get the ball inside the area. The Rocks can't clear it, a shot is blocked, the ball falls to Anthony Cook on the edge of the six yard box. He hits it cleanly and on target. Oh shit. No.
The ball hammers off the bar and out again. Another scramble, another shot. Jamie Riley saves it. You bloody brilliant beauty. He kicks it away. Finally, the ref blows his whistle for the last time at Melbourne Park this afternoon.
The host supporters are disconsolate but generously give both sides a standing ovation for one of the great FA Cup ties you could ever wish to see anywhere. The press box is alive with emotion, not just from me, whilst I sum up for the radio.
"Only my opinion" I replied with a smile, before adding to a media colleague "What a wanker." He turns and looks at me. "Have a nice trip home. See you Tuesday", I beam back at them. They slouch off. You get them everywhere, I suppose. But, of course, you don't normally get radio guys who give a bit back. I shouldn't have. But chortle.
Ahead of me is a three hour journey home back to the Bay. No trains on the Liverpool Street line. Fenchurch Street line screwed up again. The bus into Basildon and then onwards back to the Bay, though, seems to fly by. The adrenaline is still pumping. What a game. What a f*****g game.
Replay on Tuesday. In between that, the live draw tomorrow. Dare to dream? Not just yet. But after the shiteness of the past couple of days, the Rocks have restored a bit of my spirits. For that alone, today has been a good 'un. To earn a replay the way Covo and the boys did, though, that's made today spectacular.
What a game. What a f*****g game.
Chelmsford City 2, East Thurrock United 2
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