It might have been a first pre-season game for Everton at Accrington Stanley, but the torrential rain made it feel more like a cup game on a Tuesday night in November.
Supporters have been put through the mill over the past few seasons with PSR charges, points deductions, top players being sold off, takeover failures and a revolving door for the manager.
The total attendance was 3,872 with 2,336 Everton fans braving the almost biblical rain in an uncovered stand, wearing plastic ponchos that made them more look like they were at a damp Alton Towers than a football match.
But if this preparation leads to bringing home silverware for the first time in 30 years and having something to celebrate after navigating the recent storms, they will not care what the weather forecast is for the victory party.
The Toffees were without the likes of Jordan Pickford, Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, who have only just returned to Finch Farm training ground following international duty. New signings Thierno Barry and Mark Travers were also missing.
As a result, this felt more of a chance for manager David Moyes to see his fringe players in action. Michael Keane, Nathan Patterson, Tim Iroegbunam and Dwight McNeil all got 90 minutes against the League Two side.
Youssef Chermiti also got the nod over fellow striker Beto and the 21-year-old did a decent job of showing what he could do when he had two great chances just saved by Accrington’s goalkeeper in the first half.
It was though substitute Beto’s penalty that ensured the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw.
But this was a matchday squad filled with academy players and under-21s – 10 of them in fact. While I anticipate some will be used to pad out the squad for the Premier League Series which starts next week, I cannot imagine this will be how Everton look come the new season.
Moyes knows he needs players through the door if the club are going to challenge for the European places and stay well away from another relegation dogfight.
There is however, plenty of excitement over one particular youngster.
Harrison Armstrong went out on loan to Derby County in January and impressed in the Championship. Moyes is also a fan of the 18-year-old Scouser, who was given the number-10 role at Accrington. There is a lot of hope he will prove to be the next superstar at Everton, after Jarrad Branthwaite became the hero.
Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside