“The five minutes of time added on by referee Rob Lewis are now up, this is surely the last throw of the dice to win this game
“Max Power stands over the ball, to the left of the penalty area, roughly 12 yards from the dead ball line, Latics have sent everyone up, that penalty box is crowded.
“Power swings the ball in, IT’S THERE! I think it’s Will Keane, it is, Will Keane, in front of the keeper and heads home, Latics take the lead and have won the game, in the 96th minute, won the game for Talal, for Al-Jasmi, for Leam Richardson, but most of all, won the game for the wonderful supporters.
“Keane wheels away and is mobbed by his team mates, I swear there are tears in the stands, what an end to this chapter of the Wigan Athletic fairy tale.
“You cannot write scripts like this”
What a dramatic and fitting conclusion to what was an incredibly emotional game of football, Latics beating Rotherham with virtually the last action of the game, deserved or not, doesn’t matter, following the trials and tribulations of the past months this was an outpouring of passion, guts and determination that have defined our club throughout a period of sheer brutality.
We came through desolation, false dawns and finally new beginnings to stand tall and produce a winning performance as we returned to our home ground for the first time since the 7th March 2020.
The whole day was very much reminiscent of a cup final, I was up at 5:30 am, excited at the prospect of going to a league game once again, outside the stadium there was a buzz as fans mingled, shook hands, hugged and laughed with each other.
Queues built at the turnstiles, in the ground by 2:40 and it was clear that kick-off would be delayed, I’m A Believer, a club anthem, was played at a loud volume as our new chairman, Talal Al Hammad, walked out of the players tunnel and conducted a lap of honour, a fan ran down to greet him and drape a Bahraini flag over Talal, it was most definitely party time.
A video remembering those that we have sadly lost during the past 18 months was played, both sets of players and supporters gave a minutes applause in honour, a very moving experience.
When the game finally got underway it was 3:15. A first half that saw a chance for both sides ended goalless, the second half went much the same way as the first, a bit of blood and thunder football but not many chances created, Will Keane did miss a glorious opportunity though, unmarked at the back post, he headed wide when it appeared easier to score, then Rotherham had an effort that rattled the bar.
With the clock running down it looked likely that we’d have to settle for a draw, but the script writers had already penned a different ending, Will Keane making amends for his earlier miss, too late for any Rotherham comeback and the Fairy Tale was complete.
At the final whistle the players gathered at the centre circle, had a team hug, then came to the foot of the stands to thank the supporters and share the occasion.
What a brilliant day, one chapter closed and a new one started.
They don't write scripts like this, Wigan Athletic do it for real.
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