Ibis 0 - 2 Old Parkonians (Southern Amateur League)

Safe to say at the beginning of the season, when I took over the job of 1st team captain/manager, I did not expect to be 90 minutes away from promotion on the last day of the season. It is testament to anybody who has pulled on a 1st team shirt this year, that we were so close. It's also testament to our two closest rivals, Bank of England and Kew, failing to take any points at all out of their last two games. The scene was set for a momentous close to a first season in charge.

We had played IBIS at home earlier in the season, and they had been lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw, so it was with some confidence that we approached this fixture. The fact that the game was being played at Bank of England's ground - who stood to go up if we didn't take all three points - only served to heighten the tension, and swell the crowd. The pitch, fresh from a two day downpour, was as soft as a Mason right-footed shot.

The cancelled fixture a week before had seen Chris Sharkey make the journey from Loughborough University back home - only to be told on arrival that IBIS couldn't get a team out. So back he went. The eleven sent out to do battle were Turner in goal; a back three of Kenny, Celotto and Nicholls; wing backs Rowson and Knapman; a central midfield trio of Mason, Collins and Jamieson; and Parmenter and Goodhew up front. The bench was crammed full of talent - Pascoe, Keogh and new boy Matt Williams, making the long journey in search of glory.

The dressing room was tense, so we went out early to loosen off those tight muscles. A good warm up, some ball work and passing, some heading for the defence and Dom warming up looked good from the line - organisation was never going to let us down. A rousing call to arms from Nicholls, and we were underway, 90 minutes between Parks 1st team and their first promotion chance for about 20 years. I asked for a fast start, and I got a fast start. We looked so up for it, it was unbelievable to watch. It was only a matter of minutes before our first chance went begging, Mason dragging a shot wide after a trademark Jamieson through ball cut the defence in half. Knapman was demanding the ball at every opportunity and beating his man with ease time and again. IBIS doubled up on him (the sort of treatment reserved for Luis Figo), which only served to make two people look clueless instead of one. Mason, ploughing the inside left channel to great effect, delivered a pinpoint cross to Goodhew's head, his cross goal header saw Knapman volley onto the bar, with the keeper absolutely stranded. A clear penalty appeal (surely ball to hand is reserved for when you don't actually catch it) fell on deaf ears - and even the most die-hard optimist was beginning to think it may not be our day.

IBIS were by no means giving up this game as a Parks walkover. With absolutely nothing to play for, the occasion had whipped them into fighting for every ball like their lives depended on it. It was half time and 0-0. A point was not good enough - we needed all three. A calming team talk was required, the chances were coming - it was the composure we needed now. Nicholls, a born leader, would accept nothing less than 100%, we could handle not going up, but we'd better all come off the pitch on hands and knees if we didn't.

The solidity through the middle of the team that has characterised us all season was evident until the end. Celotto, Kenny, Nicholls and in front of them, Collins, were a foundation for a 45 minutes of one sided football - an eleven man IBIS defence had given up the counter attack, it was just a case now of if they could keep us out. Rowson was flying down his flank with an energy reserved for someone fifteen years his junior, a left foot so cultured it's a joy to behold. With 20 minutes gone, and 25 left of the season, we had a crossroads before us. Goodhew and Parmenter playing well, and running everything down - but they had worked so hard it just wasn't dropping for us close to goal. Pascoe and Williams on the bench, itching to get on - we had to try something. Let's go for it. They were on, and almost immediately, Jamieson split the tiring defence, his through ball only just eluding the stretching Pascoe. Williams carved himself a chance, only to see his lob drop just over the bar. Ten minutes to go and Mason wins a free-kick about forty yards out. Everyone forward, even Dom was on the half way line. Knapman steps up and delivers an inch perfect cross onto Mick Kenny's head, his downward header brings a Banks-like save out of the keeper. But there's Dave Pasoce - on hand to fire the rebound home from 5 yards, and send the touchline into delirium. I couldn't believe it. No sooner did I have a chance to get off the pitch - and it was 2-0, Jamieson released Williams, who shut out the pressure of ten grown men almost on their knees behind him, and slotted the winner on his debut. Story book stuff.

The Bank of England supporters, and some players who had turned up to see if we would slip up, magnanimously shook our hands and headed off for another season in Division 3. Keogh replaced the tiring Mason late on, who had delivered his best performance of the year when it really mattered, a true big game player. The five minutes left were a blur as the previous 21 games flashed before my eyes. And then it was over, second place in Division 3 was ours, champagne in the dressing room and plenty of beer in the bar.

I'd like to personally thank everyone who played for and who supported the first team this season for making it one of the most enjoyable and successful I've been involved with. Pre-season training anyone??

Scorers: Pascoe, Williams
Man of the Match: Knapman

Report by Tim Cross