Occasionally in life things come along that you want so much it hurts - for Saints fans another FA Cup final is one of them.

Since the victory in 1976 an entire new generation of fans have not known what it's like to taste the full magic of the cup - it's wonderful.

Outside Villa Park yesterday that new generation, along with plenty of the old hands, were revelling in what it's all about.

The sun was shining, there was a sea of red and white and the world was a beautiful place.

Complete strangers that would normally bump and bustle past each other in the street were brought together for a chat and a laugh by football.

Saints were in the semi-final. Life was great.

A few hours later Saints were in the final. Life was unbelievable.

It still doesn't sound quite right to say it: Saints are in the final.

Ever since the semi draw was made it was always likely that Saints would get there. Everybody knew that it was more likely than not they would win.

But when it hits you - they ARE actually in the FA Cup final - the feeling is indescribable and beyond all rational logic.

You just have to look to the sky, smile from ear to ear, laugh wildly and punch the air. YES. They're there. We're all there.

And what's more, we're all going on a European tour next season thanks to qualification for the UEFA Cup.

Keep this match report. It might not seem real now but it is.

All the Saints players are a great bunch but if ever there was one person you wanted to do well in this game, and another who deserves a cup final, it's Brett Ormerod and Chris Marsden.

Before yesterday Ormerod had failed to score in his last 23 appearances.

His last goal came in October and he said a while ago that he couldn't even remember it. In fact, he said that so long ago I can't even remember when he said it!

But every Saints fan loves him. His effort is incredible, his work-rate phenomenal and on top of that he's the most down-to-earth guy you could ever meet.

That deserves a goal - and an important one and he got it in what he will look back upon as one of the proudest days of his life in years to come.

As for Marsden - what can you say?

If ever there was one person who wanted something so much it hurts then it's him with this competition.

And, while he's not won it, he's got the final he's worked so hard and so long for. Marsden's given every ounce of blood, sweat and tears to Saints.

He deserves his big day as much as anybody and he'll love every second of it. But nothing other than winning will be enough for him now.

His driving force was again a key to Saints getting through this round.

There were no overhead kicks this time but rather a more typical Marsden display - dogged, determined, leading by example.

Along with Bridge on the left-hand side they cruelly exposed Gavin Mahon as Saints threatened to run riot down that flank in the last third of the first half.

And it was from there that Saints' first goal was created. Anders Svensson played in Marsden who took one touch and put in a peach of a left-footed cross from the edge of the area, level with the six-yard box.

Despite Watford having six defenders in the penalty box they couldn't manage to mark Ormerod whose glancing header was met by the hand of Alec Chamberlain, but he couldn't keep it out.

It was a vital goal just before half-time. Watford had come close through Heidar Helguson's early header which Jones saved with his feet and Stephen Glass's headed effort which went just wide.

Saints, meanwhile, had almost taken the lead when James Beattie flicked a weak Neil Cox header past the 'keeper but just past the post as well, and later headed just over the bar.

In the second half Watford remained resilient with Marcus Gayle strong at the heart of their defence, but Saints were always the better team and were in control in most areas of the field.

Jones had to tip Glass's header on to the bar and over and Micah Hyde put a good chance wide, but Gordon Strachan's men doubled their lead.

Mahon and Cox contrived to give the ball away in a mad attempted exchange.

Ormerod was able to burst down the right and cross low across the face of goal. Beattie got in between Gayle and Paul Robinson and caused enough of a nuisance that the ball deflected off the latter's leg and went in from close range.

It seemed it was all plain sailing to the final whistle, but that's just not the Saints way.

With two minutes left Beattie lost Gayle from a corner and the big centre-half headed above Matt Oakley, stationed on the back post, and into the top corner. That ensured a nervy few minutes as Saints hung on. But hang on they did and there followed celebrations not seen for 27 years.

In that time Saints fans have celebrated avoiding relegation but this isn't the same.

This isn't scraping and scrapping. This is winning. This is wonderful. This is the FA Cup and it feels great.