For me, the buzz began when the draw was made. It grew though whilst walking down East Ham's Barking Road. My mate and I entered into a local chip shop boasting a West Ham sticker as we filled up after the trip down. A Chinese man asked us both, "are you going to win? I am not happy with West Ham at the moment." For the first time in my following of Oldham Athletic I answered with a slight hint of cockiness, but with a full voice of assurance, "yeah we are, we have nothing to fear." As we entered the ground, I then proceeded to place my money where my mouth was and waged a successful 16-1 bet for the Latics to be leading at half-time and full-time.
This is my dream come true. I know this report should talk more about the match and it will, but finally I can live out those memories which others have, where I haven't. A great friend of mine who I often drink with and discuss the Latics with, often tells me of trips to Southampton, Plymouth and Carlisle. Journeys of surprise, hope and high drama to which I can only match with the likes of 2 wins, one at Maine Road and one at the JJB Stadium. I have seen the 3-0's at Rotherham and Brighton and the game which I most thought about as I watched our magnificence, - that match at Hillsborough a few years back as we matched them but just couldn't score (4 goalline clearances). Amazingly, Sheff Weds to win 6-2 on the night and 9-3 overall. How far we have come!
Most importantly, being a closely involved in SAFE and the activities in which has helped this club along to it's current point, one thing has stood out more than anything. The club needs money, the club needs it fans more than ever and through the current success, the attendances are taking a long time to rise (we were in the chase last season, but the figures barely increased.)
At SAFE meetings, it's not hard to disagree with the comment "we need a cup run to bring the fans back" and it is this which makes me remember as an 8 year old, cutting around Ian Olney, Andy Ritchie, Frankie Bunn, Roger Palmer et al as I filled my scrapbook with victories over Southampton, Aston Villa, West Ham and more. The cup runs cemented my passion for Oldham Athletic and in an age of glory-crazy people, we can only hope that they too fall in love like I did.
At present, it isn't hard to fall in love with what the club stands for. In a cautious situation in the rat-race of football has become, a game that is on the verge of bankrupting itself, Oldham Athletic is showing heart, courage and on Wednesday night, a desire for success. Not one of those players that left the field under-performed or under-achieved. Not one of them failed to chase a ball, give up, shrugged their shoulders and roll over to be tickled. Even with England starlet Joe Cole looking menacing with every burst forward and Jermaine Defoe being the proverbial hot-potato, it was the grit from our defence which became the bloodline. A bloodline which allowed the Latics to never looked scared of the occasion, and thus the blood pumped freely through our veins. Alert, intelligent, spirited and above all, fearless, the boys in blue delivered a chilling warning from our place in division 2, to those above us - you see if we can catch you!
As many will agree, had it not been for Les (or Leslie as the press increasingly prefer) Pogliacomi, this game could have been so different. However, it is that courage of an unknown from Parmatta Powers which became the foundations of a defensive display that was second to none.
Indeed, our slick back 3 had been cheated in West Ham's first move as Joe Cole's through-pass to Defoe on the right seemed to be halted by the defence stepping up; the linesman failed to flag though. Indeed the liner proceeded to officiate for the rest of the game as though he was watching the match down at Stamford Bridge. As Defoe proceeded beyond the back line, he squared for Steve Lomas leaving him with only the keeper to beat, but Pogliacomi stood tall and blocked the effort well.
The opening exchanges were bossed about by West Ham, but with Cole finding it difficult to link up with anyone, the Hammers could find little joy for all their possession. Armstrong, moved into the middle to limit Coles space, performed well and gave the back 3 more time to deal with Defoe & Carrick. And from the back, the Latics began to start lumping the ball for a good 20 minutes, before realising more damage could be done through the middle.
It was a long punt upfield which brought the first piece of controversy, as on 7, Andrews looked to go clean through but appeared to be clumsily dragged to the floor. Uriah Rennie performed his usual "I know nothing" act and let play go on. Seconds later, Murray had a half chance as he hit one from the edge of the box over the bar. It was a warning to West Ham that they couldn't treat us as cannon fodder by throwing the big guns forward.
As the game continued, West Ham played the ball around in neat fashion but (and I have been asked to put this in by a friend, Steve Leigh) watching the Hammers was like watching soft core porn - nice to watch but without any penetration.
On the half hour mark, David Eyres sent a stark warning to the Premiership hosts. A free-kick from 25 yards was heading straight for the top corner but ex-England keeper David James fingertipped the ball over the bar. The Latics were finally getting to grips and 2 minutes later, Andrews had another chance as he tested James with a low drive. It took another full stretched claim to keep the scores level.
After all the West Ham possession, the Latics were finally turning the tide and learning how to break and hurt them. On 38, a defensive slip allowed Andrews a clear shot at goal, but with James in his way, the former Chesham man thrashed his effort into the side netting. Growing in confidence, the Latics finally stuck the killer blow. With 42 on the clock, it was another break which allowed Armstrong to run at the defence and square for Corazzin. His shot from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner, and in text book fashion, Eyres delivered the perfect centre ball for Carlo to rise above all and power home a header. 1-0.
Gaining a thoroughly deserved lead, the visitors then watched Defoe put a header wide and a streaker enter the pitch in protest. And the inevitable happened as the Latics began the second half in shaky fashion. On 50, Murray lost the ball allowing free spirit Cole to break. He slid in Defoe who produced a good save from Pogi from the angle. From the resulting corner, Carrick's ball found a West Ham defender but Pogi stopped his header on the line.
However, the Latics never showed a will to defend a 1-0 lead and pushed forward. On 53, Corrazin had his back to goal and fed Murray on the box. The former QPR man peppered an effort just wide. And on 64, Andrews looked to be brought down by James as he chased a long punt into the box. In typical fashion, Rennie continued with his "I know nothing" approach.
From here on though, the tie changed. West Ham knew the task ahead and began to throw everything at it. For 10 minutes the Latics took a pounding. It began with a mistake at the back as Pogi threw the ball to Berehall, he froze and Cole stole the ball. Pushing it on to chase, Pogi proved alert enough to get to it before Cole slotted home. Then on 72, Cole wrestled Armstrong to the ground to break free. Uriah "I know nothing" waved play on, allowing Cole to pick out Defoe who carelessly hit an effort over the bar. Seconds later, Defoe found himself free in the box again and tested Pogi with a cross-body drive for the far corner. The Aussie man checked himself well and got across to palm the ball away.
Needing fresh legs, Dowie threw Killen on for star performer Andrews. And the lad looked industrious. However, as the game opened up the ball flowed from end to end. On 82, Lomas had a shot blocked in a 6 yard box scramble and the clearance fell to Cole who drove his attempt just wide. Then in another wave of attack, Winterburn looked clean through and about to slot home but Berehall threw himself into a last ditch tackle to save the Latics.
It was wide open now. The Latics retaliated and on 84, Low crossed for Killen whose on-target header lacked power. Seconds later Corazzin appeared to slip Killen through but for Winterburn's last man tackle and then, if things couldn't get any more frantic, Low beat 3 defenders to shoot wide of the far post.
West Ham responded. With minutes remaining, Hill looked to have brought down a Hammers man in the box but again, Uriah "I know nothing" Rennie waved play on. Back down the other end went the ball and with the liner continuing to officiate down at Stamford Bridge, he waved Killen offside, as he coolly slotted home past James.
It was all twists and turns now. The officials were missing everything, the ball pinged about like a dog on speed and the game just couldn't be more furious. West Ham just had to find an equaliser and in injury-time, every Latics fan must have thought they'd got it. Rennie (must I say it again) missed a blatant shove by Carrick which sent Berehall to the ground. That allowed Carrick to run free on the right and with space to pick out in-running Cole at the far post, he delivered a pin-point cross. Cole just needed to hit the target but somehow he nodded an inch wide and fell into a crumpled, devastated heap on the ground. It took a while for him to rise to his feet, but when he did 20 other players were wading into each other resulting in 3 bookings - 1 of them being a costly one for Fitz Hall (he must now serve a one match ban.)
And that, was that. The whistle went and amazing scenes of jubilation began. With 951 fans there to embrace a wonderful performance, the Latics finally achieved the impossible by taking a scalp to remember. The desire was too great - we just had to do it. West Ham never put the pieces together to unlock us. Indeed, on the night it was hard to see which team was the Premiership side. And before long, the two sides may be swapping league status. The dream is more alive than ever now. I don't need paper cuttings any more. The belief is no longer a hopeless cause. We've kept the faith - now it's time to see it repaid. Come on!!!