Carol Ann Duffy’s 1993 collection ‘Mean Time’ Essay

The nervereal day of the big match had arrived, the anticipation was rising and with lone(prenominal) 5 hours to go the crusades were gathering in the pubs and on the streets. Cardiff was the venue, Millennium roll to be exact. The FA instill Final, Manchester get together vs. Millwall.The grounds men were on the pitch setting up the sprinklers and cutting the grass at the last minute possible, before the team ups arrived to partial(p) up and get a feel of the pitch. The sprinklers started to spray like the ocean. The droplets of water supply were dropfallg gently like a leaf from the highest tree. As the droplets were falling onto the bouncy blades of grass, they were running down the blades slowly into the soil creating a gauzy playing surface.A bus pulled out side the entrance of the stadium, it was Manchesters bus and the paparazzi skipped as fast as they could to try and get the topper picture of the star striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy. The doors of the bus opened slow ly estimable to add to the tension. It was so quite you could roughly here a pin drop. Footsteps where heard, the compress started hovering around the bus .The crowd on the other side of the road, were staying for autographs. They started singing and chanting Ruud, Ruud, Ruud. Some of the younger players got off the bus and quickly walked now into the corridor, down to the changing rooms turn they were all told focused. Next off the bus steps the man of the moment, every one and only(a) wanted to see. Ruud van Nistelrooy. He walked straight over to the fans signed the autographs. The press got the pictures they wanted and off down the long corridor he went, hair live like a space hopper.The underdogs Millwall arrived in there bus transactions later, but the surrounding bea was empty. Just one sky newsman there, waiting to interview their autobus. The players were fired up do to fight for The FA Cup.The causa men rushed onto the pitch dismantled and removed the sprink lers. The pitch was make water for the teams. The stadium started to fill up with the crowds sliding through the turnstiles, flashing their cute tickets on the way. Desperate people standing outside the stadium, offering to bargain for tickets for 200 pound, more than 5 times over there pilot value, but with a lots of sentimental value attached, were having no luck.lastly preparations were taken for the two teams as on the pitch 40 legal proceeding before the game, they were jogging from one side to the other, passing the ball with their left, consequently their rightly, firing the ball like a squeeze outnon ball. You could sense the teams where hit and all hyped up. Back in the changing rooms for the teams, as the managers give there last team talk. Before the teams are announced and minutes before kick off.The teamsheets are in and theres a big shock as Manchester Uniteds Star striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy is only on the bench. Its been account that he picked up a knock i n the pre-match warm up by the sky reporter, Chris Kamara. This final is anyones game now.The teams are in the tunnel ready and waiting to come out. The stadium is a wash up of red and blue. Every seat is taken. The anthem of The FA Cup is been blared out of the speakers in the stands. The teams trot out of the tunnel, on to the hallowed turf of the Millennium stadium in Cardiff. The crowd are on there feet cheering, its almost deafening, its that loud.The Ball is in the middle ready for kick off. You can almost feel the electricity in the air. Millwall kick off, from left to right all in blue, whilst United are in the famous red, lily-white and black colours. There was an early serge by Millwall, but with no goal, while Ruud sits on the bench waiting for the nod, nothing came of any attacks in the premier 35 minutes of the game. Just before half time, the ball stone-broke free to the young United starlet of Cristiano Ronaldo who galloped down the annex, triple stepped-over into the centre and triggerman towards goal It hit the post and into the back of the net, one nil to Manchester United. totally eyes on the ref, waiting for the half time whistle, there it is. The teams go in at the break. Its Manchester United one, Millwall nil.The Speculation is rising now provide Ruud make an appearance in this final. The teams are back out ready to start the second half, after a talking to from the managers. Manchester United kicks off. The crowd are chanting with all there hearts United, United, United, United, United, United, United.Not a good deal happened until Millwalls top scorer Harris made a darting run into the penalisation area Hes been brought down. The refs pointed at the spot. Its a penalty. Harris will take it its a goal mightily in the top left hand corner. Thats now one one theres nothing separating these teams. Back to the middle for the re-start, oh wait a minute there will be a reversal for Manchester United with only 10 minutes to go, on comes Ruud van Nistelrooy for Alan Smith. It should be all over nowIts so exciting only three minutes to go now. Ronaldo has the ball on the right wing hes not letting go of that ball. Only a minute and a half now left on the time Ronaldo whips a cross in from the touchline. The defender has missed it. Its dropped at the feet of Ruud van Nistelrooy, surely a goal now. Hes jell his foot right through that ball what a goal It went straight through the keepers legs with seconds left on the clock. I fagt believe it. The whistle has blown. Its all over Manchester United have won by two goals to one. They are The FA Cup Champions hearty what an exciting finish to this game. Ruud van Nistelrooy saves the day again.