Football Poets

Boro v Hull City (16-01-2007)

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 The Boro against Hull City is the match on view tonight,
F.A. Cup round 3 replay: let’s hope we get it right,
We need performance and aggression but not the fancy tricks,
For Hull’s Tigers haven’t won here, since 1986.

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 We’ve heard it many times, I know: the very old cliché,
But the F.A. Cup IS special so bring on the cabaret,
Let us seek an early goal as that might settle Boro’s nerves,
Then go right on to achieve what every loyal fan deserves.

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Parkin almost gave the Boro an almighty early scare,
When Schwarzer, totally rooted, could only stand and stare,
The chance was not converted but we really rode our luck,
When we came within a whisker of being totally unstuck.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Downing lost the ball out left but Hines quickly retrieved,
He passed it on to Arca, but then the Tigers were reprieved,
His shot bounced off the upright and then City got it clear,
But an opener for the Boro had come so very, very near.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Into City’s box James Morrison flung another beauty,
But Andy Dawson then performed beyond the call of duty,
When he chested inches wide of his own team’s gaping net,
Great work by their defender and, for us, the closest yet.

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 With Myhill on a walkabout the ball fell to the Duke,
Who set himself to launch another mighty Aussie nuke,
It seemed he couldn’t miss but then the stadium was shocked,
When a last-ditch lunge by Ricketts meant the goal-bound shot was blocked.

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 With ever increasing pressure Boro kept knocking on the door,
Against the Tigers’ fierce resistance in this marvellous tug-of-war,
The door was finally opened: and wasn’t it just a cracker?
For which the happy scorer got from colleagues such a smacker.

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 It was debut boy Seb Hines who got that first elusive goal,
Having danced past two defenders and by showing great control,
He left the ‘keeper helpless and gave his manager one great reason,
To display – for all to see – his biggest smile in many a season.

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 That should now give us a platform in this most intriguing duel,
And has Boro’s own Academy now unearthed another jewel?
We mustn’t rest upon our laurels but much tighter turn the screw,
To halt the fighting Tigers in their endeavour for a coup.
———-
We resume in swirling wind and in the rain that’s simply teeming,
In search of the victory of which Boro fans are dreaming,
And when Viduka followed up, as all good strikers do,
He quickly made the score-line Tigers nil and Boro two.

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 This appeared to leave the City looking totally depressed,
Then Boro got a third and Hull were clearly second-best,
Yakubu scored a penalty showing quite amazing calm,
The Tigers were then wounded and caused the Boro great alarm.

¶ 11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 The most-impressive Dawson quickly had the Tigers roaring,
Stealthily approaching and, with the sweetest header, scoring,
And then we saw Xavier most exposed by lack of pace,
Then City struck again after seeming sunk without a trace.

¶ 12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 When Forster was brought down the referee pointed to the spot,
And Parkin slotted home so now the contest’s glowing hot,
First all was going well and everything looked rather easy,
Now everyone in the Boro’s ranks is feeling somewhat queasy.

¶ 13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 After two inside three minutes the score was certainly no fluke,
Then came another belter from non-other than the Duke,
It took but just a minute to restore the two-goal lead,
But the visitors were impatient to continue their stampede.

¶ 14 Leave a comment on verse 14 0 Incredibly, they scored again, the boys in black and amber,
And Dawson was the hero, inspiring Tigers’ fans to Samba,
From all of thirty yards his free kick lashed into the net,
Surely, they can’t equalise? You know: I wouldn’t bet!

¶ 15 Leave a comment on verse 15 0 What drama we were seeing as the Boro now rocked and reeled,
‘Blow the whistle now, ref.’ is what the Boro fans all squealed,
Then Schwarzer rescued Boro when Hull ripped us well apart,
Great theatre this may well be but it’s no good for my heart.

¶ 16 Leave a comment on verse 16 0 The ref. then brought the curtain down on this amazing thriller,
Bringing massive disappointment to the aspiring giant killer,
Their challenge must have seemed like the huge and mighty Eiger,
And, with great relief, I raise my hat to every single Tiger.

¶ 17 Leave a comment on verse 17 0 This replay was quite amazing and certainly set the hearts a’ pounding,
And, for Boro, there were times when alarm bells they were sounding,
Our next game’s with the Trotters and I know not what the plans are,
But I’m totally sure we won’t eclipse tonight’s extravaganza.

¶ 18 Leave a comment on verse 18 0 George Kirby

¶ 19 Leave a comment on verse 19 0 (16-01-2007)