Today, Cambridge United's opponent was Grays Athletic.
Due to their ranking advantage, Cambridge United secured the right to play at home.
Compared to the bustling Abbey Stadium, the nearby Cambridge United Training Base was remarkably quiet.
Old Jack stood at the entrance of the security room, holding up his radio and pressing his ear tightly against it, hoping to hear the commentator's voice more clearly.
After its last relegation, Cambridge United had spent three full years in the National League.
Although the former chairman had vowed that Cambridge United would definitely return to League Two, the team never regained its former glory, even reaching the brink of bankruptcy and dissolution, until he left.
Old Jack had never imagined that under the leadership of this young Eastern man, Cambridge United would actually have the opportunity to return to League Two this year!
Cambridge United had failed to secure a victory in both of its previous encounters with Grays Athletic during the regular season.
The scores were 1:1 away and 2:2 at home.
Especially in the 36th round of the League, when Cambridge United was in excellent form, it still couldn't defeat Grays Athletic.
Therefore, Grays Athletic was not intimidated by today's match. At the pre-match press conference, Grays Athletic Head Coach Alexander confidently stated that his team would secure tickets to Wembley.
In the home team's locker room at Abbey Stadium, Huang Hao often felt a sense of unreality looking at the young men under his charge, who were similar in age to him.
Unconsciously, he had led this group of young men through an entire season.
After dozens of matches this season, Huang Hao's face had long lost the rawness he had when he first met the team; now, he increasingly resembled a true Head Coach. Darren did not waste too much time on tactical deployment; whether it was Huang Hao's demanded high press, the two-wing attack from both flanks, inverted wingers, etc., or corner and free-kick tactics, all had been deeply ingrained in the Cambridge United players' minds through extensive match experience.
After the brief tactical briefing, everyone looked at Huang Hao in unison, hoping he could bring them some confidence.
But this time, Huang Hao did not rush to speak. Instead, he looked around, his gaze sweeping over every Cambridge United player present, and then slowly asked:
"Has anyone here ever played at Wembley Stadium?"
"No, Boss!"
"Boss, that's my dream!"
The players first shook their heads, then shouted in a chorus.
None of the current Cambridge United players had participated in a playoff final.
Wembley Stadium, in their hearts, was a sacred place.
"That's right, I haven't been there either. In fact, a year ago, I hadn't even been to a proper football field. All that awaited me was a muddy training base."
Huang Hao was not lying; youth teams at such low-level clubs had almost no opportunities to play on official pitches, and the training base was their entire world.
"But today, if we defeat our opponent, every single one of you here will go to Wembley Stadium in a week to fulfill that seemingly distant dream of yours!"
Huang Hao clenched his fists and said excitedly.
"So, I believe I don't need to say too many words to motivate you."
"Open this door, slowly walk out of the player tunnel, and step onto your familiar pitch!"
"Today, at Abe, on our home turf, send Grays Athletic packing!"
"Remember, Wembley, we're going for sure! Not even Jesus can stop us! I said it!"
Hearing Huang Hao's inspiring words, the Cambridge United players stood up one after another and slowly gathered together.
"Cambridge United!"
Captain Sager put his arms around his teammates and shouted loudly.
"Victory!!!"
The players' resounding response echoed in the locker room, revealing an unprecedented determination!
Today, Abbey Stadium, under the fervent atmosphere created by over 9,000 fans, had become a sea of yellow and black.
Some eager fans, even before the match began, had already impatiently lit cold flares, instantly elevating the stadium's atmosphere.
Seeing the enthusiastic Cambridge United fans, Grays Athletic's Head Coach frowned, clearly at a significant disadvantage playing away.
After all, only over 300 fans traveled with the team, and they were already drowned out by the Cambridge United supporters.
With a whistle from the referee, the battle for a Wembley Stadium ticket officially began.
Grays Athletic's kickoff was taken by their star player, Rooney, who shared the same name as the Manchester United legend, but he was Adam Rooney.
Rooney's back pass was distributed by a midfielder and quickly reached Gaffney on the wing.
As soon as Gaffney received the ball and turned to initiate an attack, he saw Cambridge United's left-wingers Sager and Sweeney flutter charging at him like two hungry wolves! For a moment, Gaffney froze!
He looked at his position in confusion, even wondering if he was already in Cambridge United's penalty area!
But at that moment, he was only in midfield.
Affected by the two players, Gaffney's hurried pass was directly intercepted by a Cambridge United player!
Under Huang Hao's refinement over the season, Cambridge United's high press almost always elicited the same sigh from every opponent:
"Please, this is the National League! Do you think you're playing in the Premier League?!"
The ball, dispossessed from Gaffney, quickly came to MacKenzie's feet.
MacKenzie didn't hesitate, kicking the ball towards Cole in the center.
Cole, who was responsible for receiving the pass, didn't even trap the ball, smoothly kicking it to the right side of the attacking third!
The ball seemed to have eyes, passing through three Grays Athletic players in succession and arriving at the right edge of Grays Athletic's penalty area!
At this moment, the one who appeared there just in time was Cambridge United's forward, Perrotta!
"Perrotta crosses!!!"
"Vardy has a golden opportunity!!!"
"Goalllllllllll!!! Cambridge United! They've taken the lead just one minute and thirty seconds into the match!!!!"
Old Jack, upon hearing the commentator's roar, jumped up excitedly, waving his arms and singing Cambridge United's team song loudly towards Abbey Stadium, as if he were right there at the match.
Adam Rooney ran over and patted the frustrated Gaffney, loudly telling him that the game had just begun!
Grays Athletic's star player tried to rally his teammates. The Cambridge United players were clearly satisfied with such a dream start, and their nervous tension also eased.
Huang Hao knew this was far from enough. Standing on the sidelines, he loudly reminded his players to stay focused.
In the 7th minute of the first half, Cambridge United players threw in from their own half. The ball had barely entered the field when it was immediately intercepted by Grays Athletic's Harris!
Before Huang Hao could even curse, he saw Harris chip the ball directly into Cambridge United's penalty area!
Oh no! Inside the box, Rooney cleverly moved behind Watts, as if he had already anticipated Watts would misjudge the ball!
Just as the ball was about to roll out of bounds, Adam Rooney chased it down and sent it back in front of the goal!
In front of Cambridge United's goal, Grays Athletic's Gaffney forcefully pushed past Sweeney, sprinted forward, and poked the ball directly into the net!
1:1!
Grays Athletic scored a lightning equalizer! Both teams were back on level terms!
After scoring, Gaffney excitedly performed a backflip, then tightly embraced Rooney, who came to celebrate.
It must be said, this goal was incredibly timely for Grays Athletic!
Five minutes later, Grays Athletic came back strong!
Rory gained possession in midfield and quickly shifted it to the wing. Gareth returned the favor, sending the ball steadily into Cambridge United's penalty area! This time, waiting in front of the goal was Rooney, who had just assisted. He didn't hesitate after receiving the ball, choosing to unleash a powerful shot!
Fortunately, Cambridge United's goalkeeper reacted quickly, punching the ball away with both fists, narrowly escaping danger!
If there was one player who surprised Huang Hao the most on the field today, it was probably Perrotta.
Perrotta was exceptionally active today, perhaps knowing his time at Cambridge United was limited, or perhaps knowing there was no better way to boost his value than to perform exceptionally in this highly anticipated match.
In Grays Athletic's attacking third, Perrotta was almost everywhere. Running tirelessly, he immediately pressed opponents, playing a crucial role in the attack.
The match reached the 26th minute.
Cole intercepted the ball in his own half and immediately passed it to Pasquel on the right wing. Pasquel dribbled past midfield, quickly glanced ahead, and then sent a long pass to the edge of Grays Athletic's penalty area!
Perrotta leaped high, hooking his toes to bring the ball down in mid-air. Upon landing, he smoothly turned, directly faking out a Grays Athletic defender! Having shaken off his marker, Perrotta quickly dribbled into the box and then unleashed a powerful shot! The ball struck the post of Grays Athletic's goal!!!
"Oh..." A huge sigh erupted from Abbey Stadium, followed by enthusiastic applause, in tribute to Perrotta's brilliant performance.
The first half ended in a draw for both teams.
After the change of ends, Cambridge United, leveraging their home advantage, gradually took control of the game.
In the 62nd minute, young Grove, who had just come on as a substitute, quickly passed the ball to the center after a throw-in in the attacking third!
In Grays Athletic's attacking third, MacKenzie and Sager exchanged passes repeatedly to create gaps in the defense.
Finally, Sager, spotting an opportunity, successfully lofted the ball into the penalty area!
It was Perrotta again!
Perrotta leaped high inside the penalty area, heading the ball towards the goal!
The ball was parried away by the goalkeeper!
However, the deflected ball, by some strange twist of fate, fell directly back to Perrotta's feet!
Damn it! This time, Perrotta didn't miss the chance, coolly striking the ball, and it found the back of the net again!
2:1, Cambridge United regained the lead!
Perrotta tightly clenched his fists, receiving his teammates' celebrations, and Huang Hao, standing by the sideline, finally showed a slight smile.
Perrotta, with such an excellent performance in the semi-final, surely wouldn't have to worry about being unemployed.
However, Perrotta's performance today was not over!
In the 72nd minute, Grays Athletic, eager to equalize, besieged Cambridge United. Soon, they won a corner kick, but the delivery was poor and headed out of the box directly by a Cambridge United defender!
Cole intercepted the ball on the edge of the area and quickly passed it to Sager on the wing. As Sager received the ball, three Grays Athletic players immediately swarmed him!
At this moment, a player quickly burst out from behind, running desperately towards Grays Athletic's half.
Sager didn't bother to identify him, directly kicking a long ball towards that player!
The football arced beautifully, landing directly in front of the running Perrotta! That yellow figure was indeed Dave Perrotta!
At this point, Perrotta had left all the Grays Athletic players behind. After bringing the ball into the penalty area, he executed a clever chip shot, completing his brace!
3:1!
The suspense of this match was successfully killed in the cradle by Perrotta's heroic performance.
With three whistles from the referee—two short and one long—Cambridge United ultimately defeated Grays Athletic 3:1, successfully securing their ticket to Wembley Stadium!