It had been a bit of a rough week. Under the weather and under-funded meant trips to Aveley and Hornchurch were put on ice. So, at least there's an up side to poor health.
No matter. In the meantime, ITV were doing their best to liven things up. A somewhat hysterical over-reaction to, shock of shock, a game being called off because it was pissing down. True, having a retractable roof that they didn't bother to unretract was stupid, but bloody hell, I thought Adrian Chiles was going to have an aneurysm.
Anyway, we heard Chiles bleat endlessly of the 3 or 4 thousand England fans that had to miss the game by flying off that night, as if it was some sort of 9/11 conspiracy. My sympathies, though, actually lay with the 20,000 Poland fans that had to be in the Argos warehouses in Southend or Basildon by 6am.
It did at least, though, put us together as Ed Millpond's 'one nation'. All sitting there, praying Roy Keane would drag Adrian down to the pitchside and show him how unplayable it was by drowning him next to the corner flag. Chortle.
It allowed us, as well, to switch channels and watch the last rites of Craig Levein's Scotland tenure, as well as how far Wales are behind a perfectly average European side. Northern Ireland, though, tremendous fun. Pissing off Christiano Ronaldo is enough for something on the New Year's Honours List. Jamal Campbell-Ryce's tackle on him in 2006, leaving him on a heap at Roots Hall, remains the high point of the world. Ever.
Of course, the game was eventually played the following afternoon. Of course, it wasn't worth it. Of course, England were unimpressive to a man, but somehow edged a result, as we knew they would. It's the English way. It's won a Champions League this year, after all.
Anyway, that was merely the horses derv to the main course tonight. Essex Senior Cup night again. After weighing through the pros and cons of each game, the teams, the tactics, the relative chance of an upset, I eventually, after 4 seconds, carefully decided on the match where I could get a lift to. Melbourne Park here I come.
I always had a soft spot for Chelmsford City. Some of my afternoons or evenings, in my long ago youth, would be spent first at the cricket, watching John Lever or Graham Gooch thrash the opposition into the ground. Then it would be a quick wander over for a Clarets friendly or Southern Premier League game. All I could remember was the chant. "We've got the biggest Willie in the league." Please, now, no Jimmy Saville jokes. Or chortling. Snigger.
Great Wakering Rovers, meanwhile, were gearing up for their thousandth senior match on Saturday, they had run into a bit of form, so how about putting themselves in the mood to celebrate by causing an upset in their 999th? City were bound to rest players for Saturday's FA Cup tie, so it wasn't beyond the bounds of possibility.
In fact, arriving at Melbourne Park, it seemed anything was possible. Buying a Hearts scarf in the club shop? Oh yes. Linda McCartney sausage panini at the tea bar? Definitely. Ramp on the main stand for the baby buggy? You got it. A view further away from the pitch than Wolves in the 80's? No problem. I like this place.
And so it was that Ed, Bri, Olly, Eileen and I, thanks to the Mystery Machine, had gathered, along with a fair few other Rovers supporters. I seemed to be the only one with a Hearts scarf on. Ah well. We were hopeful of an upset, but thought City would probably come through, on the basis that their reserves would, at the very least, be a more than handy ESL side too.
That's how it went early on. Chelmsford went 2-0 up in hardly any time at all. I did well though. I saw one of the goals, which was created by probably the best through ball I've seen at any level this season. Bloody hell. This could be a long night for Rovers.
It being a cup tie, though, it turned. Wakering scored with what was essentially their first real attack after half an hour or so, then the heavens opened. Absolutely bucketed down. It was so severe by half time we started to wonder of the game would be abandoned.
It's obvious, though, that God loves a game. As soon as we thought that, the rain eased up completely, leaving a totally clear night. I'm convinced City even have their own weather maker-upper. Or something. Whatever it was, it once again seemed anything was possible.
The second half was more evenly balanced. The Clarets had chances to finish it off, but Rovers also had opportunities to take it into extra time, especially near the end. Neither happened, of course, but in the game I did forsake, of course it happened. Those yappy Concord Rangers boys had come from 3-0 down at Dagenham to win 4-3. They'll be like Yorkshire terriers all year now, yapping away about this one.
We went home, all apparently content. The home side won, the away side put on a decent performance, and I got a Hearts scarf. And got change for it from a till that contained chocolate buttons instead of pound coins. You just know you've found a proper club when that happens.
Wish I could go back there soon. I look at the radio schedule. FA Cup weekend. The only team left in it from the Phoenix FM area, East Thurrock United are away. At Chelmsford City.
Karma. It can be a bitch. But sometimes it's pretty damn good.
Chelmsford City 2, Great Wakering Rovers 1
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