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A Game Too Far

Mark Thomas

Monday, April 16th, 2007

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 In a season tainted by death and grief
Football finally turned a new leaf
A victory at Wembley forever cherished
In memory of the ones who perished
Back to “bread and butter,” tension rife
A game finely balanced, edge of the knife
“The Lady” looked on, shined to a glint
Her marathon was fast becoming a sprint
Smith snatched a goal, still one more vital
Liverpool gallantly clung to their title
As McMahon gave a final rallying shout
Thomas put the result beyond all doubt
A game too far, Arsenal somehow win it
Champions decreed in the very last minute
Heavy legs, heavy hearts, men in red drop
Winners and losers both, applauded by The Kop

Notes

For the “Last Minute” series.

Liverpool v. Arsenal 25th May 1989

Prior to the match, Arsenal were on 73 points with 71 goals for / 36 against (goal difference +35); Liverpool were 3 points ahead on 76 points with 65 goals for / 26 against (goal difference +39). It meant that Arsenal needed to win by at least two goals to take the title on goals scored. Liverpool had not lost by two goals at Anfield for almost four years.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/a-game-too-far-2/