Well that match lived up to all my expectations, which is not something you can always say about Oxford. From arriving in the stadium to Alfie Potter's swaggering final goal the day was pretty perfect. The only blot was the train there but that was a minor irritation which I'll get out of the way quickly.
Coming back from Wembley we were well shepherded to the station and put onto a fast, if full, special train which got us back to Oxfordshire quickly and efficiently. That contrasts with the cattle truck we went from Bicester to Wembley on, which was standing room only. The atmosphere was great but I felt for my small son, whose journey was one of armpits and bums. Can't we do better in the 21st century?
However, we arrived and things got a lot better. Wembley town itself is pretty naff but we got our chips and a couple of cans. We then found out that we couldn't take the cans in so we wandered around with several beakers full of liquid, which was amusing if nothing else. All the Wembley staff were helpful and the general feeling of being herded into pens which can feature in such large venues was absent.
Walking into the arena itself was an awesome moment. I went to the old Wembley many moons ago but this was my first time at the new Wembley and it lived up to all my expectations. A stunning venue made extra special by the sea of yellow and blue. Magic.
Then the game started and Oxford seemed to be in control from the word go. This was confirmed when Matt Green scored a stunning first goal which was worthy of the finest players in the world. We started to party.
Then came glory when a few minutes later Beano did what Beano has done best throughout the season, whacking the ball into the net, long and low, with verve and power. Fire up the Mini, we're off to League Two.
Given the clearly superior performance of Oxford it was therefore a shame that Ryan Clarke made a mistake - not something you normally see associated with him, one of the lynchpins of the squad over the season. The wet ball slipped through his hands from a York cross and landed in the back of the net. A wobble but an error he could be forgiven for given the circumstances and the weather. You might say that Oxford scored all the goals.
That goal had the advantage of livening up what was already a cracking game and the second half continued to impress with York going for it and Oxford putting together some fine play. I don't wish to dismiss York by claiming credit for Oxford's performance as they impressed and they deserve credit for working hard to get the game back but Oxford were simply one better today.
Then at the end came the moment you dream of your team having in the 90th minute as Alfie Potter had time on a break to stop, think and then slot in a great strike in the bottom corner just away from the hand of the diving York goalkeeper and with James Constable to his right giving him options.
Once again York deserve credit for fighting until the last moment to rescue the game but by then it was Oxford's and the celebrations had begun.
I shall remember this day for many years and its perhaps true to say that the sea of yellow in the stands outshone even the football but the three goals which we scored today were all of the highest order so they might just take precedence...
Best player in the first half was probably Damian Batt, who seemed to be going forward constantly. In the second half Jack Midson took that role on and deserves plaudits but its difficult to pick anyone out. Maybe the manager, who got us there, not quite by the route we planned but the result was worth it. It was just a great day to be a yellow.
