I was there as a teenager with my two brothers. What sticks out to me is the second goal, our team from this season would never be able to score a goal like that, absolutely zero composure or brainpower in the final third.
A fine day it was. When Smart scored he ran straight towards where we were sat/stood. Just as well he did, because of the way Wembley was then I saw feck all really of Wright's overhead. So at least I had a decent solid memory of one of the goals. Very different era to now, which feels weird to say as I thought football was modern and advanced in 1999 at the time. No social media etc.. back then, lovely.
I was there with a Pompey supporting mate. At the final whistle I was celebrating and he just looked bored. As a result when Sky zoomed in on a bunch of fan inc me bottom right corner grey top, they cut him out completely ! 1:52:30
What a game and what a season !!! After the run of games we had and then beating Birmingham i knew we would win. One of the best feelings i have ever had watching Watford
All I remember from the game, apart form the goals, was the constant bombardment of Bolton at Chamberlain in the first half an hour. I remember almost nothing of the second half, just a Mooney couldn't quite reach a cross and Smart's goal. I'm not so sure about that in 1999 but I definitely felt that in the PO final in 2006.
The pressure was all on Bolton given they had just dropped from the prem and we'd only just come up from the third tier. Chamberlain kept us in it with a number of fine saves in the first half but was pretty much a spectator 2nd half. Yes Kennedy's pass was almost inch perfect. Also remember Ngonge muttering under his breathe in anger as he trudged off when substituted for Smart !
I still wonder if the tackle that led to our second goal would have been called up as a foul in the modern day....the one and only time that I was drunk and stupid enough to jump in the pond post game
That was indeed a very special day. Remember all the horns blasting late into the evening, some very happy and joyful scenes in Cass. Park. I remember Wright's overhead kick more than Smart's due to the fact I wasn't sat far from where GT was. Just after scored he wasn't sure if we had scored, and I remember him turning to Jackett and mouthing "did it go in?" Never forget that. Man oozed class. Bolton did dominate the early stages but as said above, Chamberlain kept up his impressive form after the shootout win. What a brilliant side we had back then eh? Night and day in terms of graft, mental fatigue and playing for the badge.
