Well that's the way to do Wembley isn't it? After so much misery at the place, Saturday was just perfect.
As the days ticked down ahead of the game, I was quite laid-back about how it would go. No smart arse predictions of stuffings, I just felt we were the better team, with the better manager, and would take advantage of the big pitch. And I also thought VAR could be a handy sub for us as well. And then there was having the West end.
Then, when I saw Alex Neil on one of the club's Instagram posts, beaming confidently and giving the thumbs-up as he got off the bus, it was another timely reminder that we were in good hands and that there was a very good chance that things were going to end so differently to previous years.
There was something beautifully relaxing about the whole thing. Just like the final three years ago, we were gifted an early goal. OK, maybe that's not giving Elliot Embleton the credit he deserves for a good run and shot, it certainly wasn't as gifted as the one Charlton helped us out with in 2019. But unlike three years ago we responded the right way, settling down and stretching them instead of going into our shells and paying too much attention to the clock. We were first to pretty much everything for the remainder of the game.
Sure, there were a couple of edgy moments, but the closing down/mopping up on each occasion revealed how much stronger the organisation and team ethic are now. We also look far fitter than we did. It really does make you wonder what the time together was spent doing under previous gaffers.
Then Ross Stewart got the second goal to kill them off. The noise which followed was loud but there was an inner peace among so many of us. Chucking Akinfenwa - never the most mobile - on for a final flourish said it all about where they were. That they were out of ideas and just hoping for a break. A feeling I know well from previous trips there.
There were big performances all over the pitch - Roberts was my man of the match but there are arguments for all the others. And from my spot up right at the back you could just see how sharp and well-drilled we were. Confident too.
Neil looked a great fit when he got the job and thankfully it's proved to be right. However, even I didn't think the transformation would be this immediate and recognisable. The bloke exudes confidence and gives the impression that everything is in hand, being done the right way. The hard work and prep had been done, and it was just about executing it on the day.
I've seen the clips of the celebrations but don't regret going for the 'get out of the place as quickly as possible' approach of previous years. I'd have been a blubbing mess and likely wouldn't have got my bus back. There was good pre-match craic with familiar and not-so-familiar faces at Finchley Park and up Wembley Way, although I was frustrated not to catch up with the lads I'd intended to, but I was quite happy to head back to Victoria alone and reflect on things over a few pints. A few Wycombe fans bumped fists as I strutted past. They wear the underdog tag well, so it was good that their manager acknowledged the better team won afterwards. For all the giggles about car parks and how we dwarf their support, they're not a bad bunch. Punching above your weight is a good thing, although it's not 100 per cent guaranteed.
After a bit of recovery time, I've not long watched the highlights. Reidy and Quinny looking blown away at the final whistle, KLD singing along to Wonderwall. Long overdue scenes, and a happy ending - at long last.
