"Cup Magic"

Today I went to an FA Cup tie
In the extra-preliminary round
In truth I've got to be honest
It was to 'tick' another ground.
Despite what the Big Boys believe
The Cup doesn't start in the New Year
It's right now in early August
With clubs that are small beer.
Their 'Cup Final' would be
Drawing a club like my own
Dreaming of a giant-killing
When all my hopes would be blown.
Today's not about Dulwich Hamlet
Just the two teams on the pitch
St. Margaretsbury against Burnham Ramblers
Hoping to strike it rich.
Not compared to Neymar
For who two hundred million was found
Whoever wins this tie today
Will pick up just over a thousand pound.
But for me this is real football
Traditional 'kick, bollock and bite'
Granted not as skilful
But not a prima donna in sight.
The only WAGs in the ground
Are four legged with a tail
A billion light years away
From the likes of Gareth Bale.
The 'Hoppers' might be annoyed
Programmes gone long before the start
But does that really matter
 When this is football's beating heart?
Contrary to what we're told every year
The magic of the Cup's still alive
I'm experiencing it here at Station Road
Despite both side being only Step Five.

Dulwich Poet 6th August 2017

(A cup tie on a Sunday, switched from the day before due to the cricket club playing at the same venue. New ground for me, so why not?)