There was one thing on everybody’s mind when we headed for the Unibol to face the Valiants from Burslem.
Wembley and how to get there, how to get tickets, how to get out of prior commitments and for the unfortunate ones, how they will miss the final.
The Doombar deliberations were the most upbeat we have had in years, and it was Carrs Pasties all round, as we Bolton fans know how to celebrate.
It was difficult to concentrate on the task in hand, trying to get three points off Port Vale as we returned to more mundane matters in the League. Fading memories of the last time Port Vale came here in the League, should have sounded a few alarm bells, as they stuffed us 6-3 in December 2020.
Ian Evatt shuffled his pack after the exertions and euphoria of Wednesday evening, making four changes in an attempt to freshen things up a bit.
Port Vale had ideas of their own and set about trying to burst our bubble with a vengeance. It was no surprise when they took the lead after only eight minutes as they could have had a couple of goals before that. It certainly brought the crowd and the team back down to earth, and we began to make a game of it.
We fought back and somehow conjured up two goals, a first for Victor Adeboyejo and a welcome goal from Josh Sheehan.
This only made Port Vale even more determined, and we faced an uphill battle to hold onto our lead for the rest of the match, with James Trafford having to earn his keep on more than one occasion.
Port Vale will be thinking that they deserved to get something out of this match, but we managed to win and at this end of the season, points are more important than performances. Just look at Plymouth’s result after their Wembley euphoria.
So, the stadium is going to be known as the Toughsheet Community Stadium. I must admit that the new name is growing on me.
The deal ticks a lot of boxes with Toughsheet being a local company with green characteristics and I particularly loved the backdrop story of Doug Mercer’s tribute to his late wife, Bernie.
We are getting things right on and off the pitch these days and we can start to believe in a long and successful future together.
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