Sunday May 21st 2006Line-up: Slater, Higgins (65), Howard, Taylor, Perrett (80), Parling, Bennett, Boucher, Utting, Davies, Gallagher, Harris (65), Seecharan N (80)Confidence was flowing through the members of the Capital Canaries squad, not only because they had spent a season sending shockwaves through the APFSCIL, but because the Spice Boys had not been up to their usual antics the previous night. Ringleader Thom Perrett spent the night indoors alone at St Davids Sq playing Star Wars computer games. His assistant Barney Slater spent the evening babysitting the child he adopted with his gay partner, soon to be husband thanks to controversial new laws. Peripheral figure Rick Uttingley hit the hay at 9pm sharp with warm milk and cookies, and legend Chris Gallagher limited his session to a meagre 8 pints. Even group wannabe Dan Taylor agreed to cut short his ladyboy shagging holiday in Latvia to fly back and captain the side in the disgraceful absence of the newly transfer listed Scot Callum Wilson. With no goalkeeper to call upon for the fixture Norwich called upon Slater to take up the reins between the sticks, a decision made because he can play in that position to a much higher level, so he reckons!! An interesting sub-plot took place to see who would take up the remaining centre back spot, a battle won by Gareth Howard beating Pete Harris in a smoke-off.
The game itself was a high tempo affair and both teams tried to play football on a sodden surface. Chances were few and far between and there was nothing to choose between the sides when a free kick was awarded to Rangers a full thirty yards from goal. The Rangers midfielder stupidly decided to strike it, he didn't know Slater could play at a higher level. His shot however hit a fat kiwi on his oversized arse and went in.
Norwich responded with gusto and took the game to Rangers. Awarded a free kick in a similar position to the one Rangers scored from, Perrett elected to cross, Gallagher met the poor delivery with an assured finish only to see his shot unluckily flash wide. This near miss only worked to inspire Norwich, knowing the breakthrough was close. Paul Bennett put his foot on the ball in the centre of the park and worked the ball forward to Andy Parling who, uncharacteristically, slid in Gallagher down the right. Gallagher took the ball under control and pulled it back to Matt Davies who had the simplest of tasks from two yards to score the equalizer.
Half time came and Norwich were sure that the game was theirs for the taking. An open and engaging second half ensued. Chances came and went, most notably from Perrett who, having done the hard work and controlled Utting's raking crossfield ball, conspired to try and chip the keeper when power was the order of the day. Another Norwich attack was launched and, spurred on by his miracle run a la John Barnes at the Maracana last time out against Boro, Howard found himself surging toward the Rangers goal only this time instead of a pony shot he scooped the ball over the Rangers defence presenting Davies with the chance to score. However davies just didn't reach the ball and Rangers lunatic keeper hoofed it upfield, with Howard in nose bleed territory at the opposite end of the pitch rangers found the time and space to chip the hapless Slater, who should really be playing at a higher level, and take the lead again.
Slater, who should really be playing at a higher level, kept Norwich in the game with some smart saves and Norwich found the energy to raise their game one last time. Captain for the day, Dan Taylor rose to meet a couple of whipped in corners only to see his headers miss the target. long shots from Utting and Perrett did little to inspire Higgins who replaced the latter with Nick Seecharan in an attempt to shake things up. Gasps were then drawn in a final roll of the dice by Higgins, when on came Harris to replace his gaffer. That sounds normal enough but Harris went upfront, UPFRONT!! Harris raced onto a couple of majestic through passes one from Boucher and one from Gallagher, on both occasions Harris nearly kicked the ball, nearly.
Nick Seech, on for the lacklustre Perrett found himself wide right with a couple of minuted to spare, and crossed a dangerous ball into the Rangers penalty box. This delivery was one that Gallagher's aerial prowess surely deserves and there was the Eltham born hitman to head across goal into the far corner and set up a barnstorming finish. 2-2 game on.
Norwich poured forward knowing that only a win would allow them to leapfrog Rangers into second spot, and automatic Champions League qualification. With literally seconds remaining Boucher found himself 25 yards from goal with the ball dropping nicely for a strike, he struck it well and the ball arched toward the top corner only a combination of keeper and bar was to deny him and Norwich ultimate glory. To rub salt into the wound another counter attack paid off and with Norwich pushing men forward they were left cruelly exposed at the back and conceded a third. Slater with no chance, but then again he should be playing at a higher level.
All that was left was for Gallagher to get robbed of what was rightly his in the bar, and for a rallying cry from Higgins for a double next year, it can and will be acheived.
Congratulations to Dan Taylor on his Player of the Year Award and best of luck to Matt Davies on retaining his golden boot, believe me he's going to need it.
MOTM: Utting (whose dazzling MotM performance some how doesn't warrant a single mention in the match report .. NICE!)
