My First Football Match

Pretty much anyone who knows me would vouch for the fact that I'm a bit of a tomboy and have been from an early age.  I've never been one for wearing skirts, I have a severe aversion to pink, I've always liked cars and Top Gear, so it's a bit surprising that I've never found myself overly interested in football - having said that, I am fully aware of what the off-side rule is!
It isn't even as if I've never watched a match, it's just that I'd never been to one, even though I had pestered my dad at least once a year to take me to a live game, any game... even a Port Vale one.
My dad, uncle and cousin have been supporters of 'The Vale' for quite some time having lived in Stoke-on-Trent for a large proportion of their lives, and in my dad and uncles case having lived within 10 minutes walk of their home ground.  I admit that over the last 20 years I've gently ribbed them on a regular basis about the state of Vale's reputation, feeling that as I was brought up in Leamington/Shropshire that I was as far away as possible from having any connection with a team that had such a big propensity to lose... a lot.
As we got out of the car I felt rather excited, giddy even
, about the prospect of going to see a team play that I actually had a link with, albeit a rather tenuous one.  My first football match however, turned out to be a rather small 5 a side affair, as it was the final of the Oxfordshire schools tournament of year 6s and 7s, and it was a fantastic game.  Each half lasted 15 minutes and it was great to see some of the children emulating (extremely skillfully) the tactics used by their older counterparts - not counting the odd dive of course.
The main game... Oxford United vs Port Vale - well what can I say!  We were sat in a great spot, the sun was shining (and thankfully we were on the right side of the pitch otherwise I'd have frozen to death).  The atmosphere was great, and listening to the voices around me reminded me of spending time with my relatives still based in Stoke.  The football chants definitely made me laugh but it was difficult not to get caught up in the moment, especially after Vale conceded a goal within the last 5 minutes (or so) we managed to equalise in extra time!
Unfortunately the happiness was short-lived, and Port Vale sadly lost 2-1 (the second Oxford goal scored about a minute after ours) and the game ended shortly after, however I had found out that Port Vale are actually top of their league (who knew!) and the loss wouldn't be quite enough to rob them of this.
I have to say that having made an effort to dress in The Vale colours (black & white t-shirt and hat too) and joining in some of the chants (I think my dad would have preferred it if I hadn't) I really felt a part of something, and I'm definitely looking forward to my next Port Vale match... and no, one game doth not a glory supporter make... however

"We are top of the league, say we are top of the league"

ST