Back in Cardiff for the second year running, and every West Ham United fan was praying that they had learnt their lessons from the previous season. It was a second chance that had to be taken.
The prize was quite simply the biggest in world football. West Ham United were ironically meeting Preston North End, their opponents back in 1964 when Bobby Moore lead the Hammers to their first major trophy. It was now Bobby Zamora who could be come a legend. Preston had nothing to lose, as they were unfancied at the start of the season and could enjoy the occasion. Alan Pardew's team had a job to do.
It started well enough for the Hammers with Tomas Repka hitting the post and Matthew Etherington going close, but by half-time neither side had really threatened. Just after the restart both Marlon Harewood and Zamora squandered glorious chances, and you wondered if it was to be West Ham United's day.
Then on 57 minutes Etherington raced free down the left flank and knocked over the perfect cross. Zamora elegantly clipped the ball towards the corner, just out reach of the diving keeper and sent the travelling thousands into ecstasy.
There was still time for more drama though. Jimmy Walker, who had been an immense presence between the sticks, twisted his knee claiming a cross.
He fell outside the box and was carried off in some pain. Stephen Bywater, who had not seen action since March, came on and immediately had to face a Preston free kick. The youngster got down low, held on to the ball and West Ham held on to victory.
When that final whistle sounded the release of pressure from every one of the Hammers support could have lifted the roof off of the stadium, if it wasn't already open. We were back were we belong.
