It's been a long time coming ...
We're just fifteen minutes from the end of normal time and WBA have parked the proverbial bus, together with a small motorcade, in front of the Holte End. One up after sixteen minutes courtesy of a Glenn Whelan slip-up and a well taken goal by the Baggies' on-loan striker, Dwight Gayle they cling resolutely to the lead, defending deeper and deeper as time runs down. The ghost of Tony Pulis stalks Villa Park once more.
And then a shimmy by Jack Grealish on the edge of the penalty box has the WBA defence swarming to meet him, leaving Conor Hourihane space for a shot. The ball is passed and Conor hits it sweetly through a mass of advancing bodies into the left-hand side of the goal. Game on!!
Three minutes later and Tammy Abraham shapes up to take a penalty. Another foray by Grealish has ended with him on the floor after a messy challenge by Kieran Gibbs. Tammy strokes it effortlessly into the net and the lead is ours!!!
Things get worse for the Baggies. Already yellow-carded for persistent time-wasting Gayle clatters into Jed Steer, the Villa goal-keeper. A second booking sees him receive his marching orders, meaning he will miss the return leg at the Hawthorns.
Whilst it was an exhilarating match for the watching fans it's hardly a footballing classic. The Baggies revert to negative tactics and Villa match it with one of their worst performances for many a game. But despite that we take a one goal lead into the second leg of the play-off semi-finals and their key striker will now be sitting it out on the benches.
We've kept dogs for over thirty years. Our first was Blue, a pale golden retriever who wormed his way into the heart of our family. We bought him initially to help our learning disabled son, Ben.
At the time we weren't sure if Ben would either walk or talk but we did notice that when a dog came into the room he would follow it with his eyes. Enter, Blue, a big white ball of fluff and sure enough it worked! Ben was captivated. He started to crawl after the puppy, then eventually he made it up onto his feet. Poignantly, when Blue was towards the end of his time Ben started to take him out on walks round the block on his own. Life had come full circle.
Cara was next. Another golden retriever, smaller and more lively. She was such a biddable dog and a great companion to Blue. Our third golden retriever was Daisy, another white ball of fluff. Like Blue she had an insatiable appetite and from time to time she would take herself off to the shops in search of food only to be fetched back half an hour later in disgrace.
Mollie was our rescue dog - a springer spaniel/collie cross who had been picked up wandering free in Wales. She was such a delight and came ready-trained! Mollie's favourite game was to chase after a ball, fetch it back and drop it exactly two inches from your right foot. She would even rope passing strangers into the game if she thought there was a chance they would throw her ball for her!
Dylanne was our first full springer spaniel, bought from a farm in Yorkshire while we were on holiday. She fitted in immediately with Daisy and Mollie and made it quite clear from the outset who was now in charge.
Jethro was next, an adorable springer spaniel bred by my cousin's husband. Jethro loved nothing better than to run and run and run. Coming back proved more problematic, but eventually he would deign to rejoin us! Sadly, Jethro was with us but for a short time. He swallowed the remains of a tennis ball he found during a walk in his beloved arboretum. The vet removed it, but he contracted peritonitis and died shortly after his operation. He continues to be much missed.
For over three decades we've shared our home with dogs. Sometimes singly, often in pairs and on occasion in threes. They've provided us with companionship, affection, security and a constantly wagging exercise machine in need of brisk walking. So when Mollie, our last dog standing, died a month or two ago there was a huge hole left in our lives.
At first we thought we might take a break for a year or so, but it was never to be. So please welcome Roscoe, an utterly delightful flat-coated retriever who in the space of a few short days has already brought so many happy doggy-smiles back to our family. The biggest of all came from our youngest grand-child, who sadly is confined to a wheelchair. We lifted Roscoe onto his lap and a huge grin spread across his face. Job done!
Norwich's victory brings to an end our record-breaking winning streak, but what a finish to the season!! Written off and languishing in the bottom half of the Championship table just two months ago we're now in the play-offs for the last remaining promotion spot.
The team and their families are lead out by captain-for-the-day Alan Hutton for the usual Lap of Appreciation and are greeted with rapturous applause
One final lovely gesture. At the end of the Lap Glenn Whelan comes across to give his training jacket to one lucky young man who doubtless will treasure it for years to come!
