Friday night finds us in a box at The Hawthorns watching West Bromwich Albion take on Birmingham City. It's the first part of the special birthday celebrations for a very special lady. Edna, a dear friend from church has just turned ninety and she's determined to mark the event in style.
The hospitality and the food are first-rate. Two former WBA players visit bearing a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a box containing a blue and white iced birthday-cake. Pictures are taken then it's out into the seats.
Sadly, WBA fall behind to an early headed goal by Gary Gardiner. Pushed back constantly by Birmingham they are fortunate to go in at half-time just a goal down. The second-half, however, starts in a very different fashion. A lovely free-kick from WBA skipper Chris Brunt is met by Dwight Gayle who heads home for the equaliser. It's game on!
Once more WBA fall behind as Luke Jutkiewicz out-jumps Jay Rodriguez to head home a Birmingham City corner. The advantage is neutralised again just nine minutes later following a controversial penalty award. Rodriguez puts away the goal, his seventh successive penalty conversion of the season.
The icing on the cake comes in the seventy third minute when Jake Livermore slots in a beautifully hit shot. The crowd is jubilant and goes out singing into the night.
We stay behind to let the traffic disperse and are given a short pitch-side tour of the now emptied stadium. What a night and what a marvelous way for Edna to mark her special birthday!!
