It`s been hard over the past month or so to open the sports pages in the newspapers and to actually be able to read about sports itself.
Whether it`s Wayne Rooney`s contract saga with Manchester United, under pressure Premiership managers, Commonwealth depression, world cup bid scandals or David Haye spouting his mouth off.
The last few week`s press has been a constant drip feed of little niggles, followed by the predictable `exclusive’ on a Sunday.
So it was a breath of fresh air this morning to read how the romance of the FA cup 1st round games were anything but predictable.
For once, it was not about how Manchester City`s Yaya Toure earns 200,000 pounds a week or how Rooney is now living 2.7 miles away from the nearest stripper club, whilst staying in the Nike complex training centre in the USA.
No, reality returned and it was the postmen, bricklayers, painters, and policemen who stole the headlines in this morning’s papers. There were fairytale stories that working class football supporters could relate to. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe.
In 2008, Histon beat Leeds United. The following year Leeds provided a cup shock of their own as they secured a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. Before that, nobody will ever forget the heroics of Havant and Waterlooville who reached the 3rd round and gave Liverpool a mighty scare, scoring twice in front of the kop before eventually being defeated.
The oldest and most famous domestic cup competition got off to a bang in the very first game, at Spotland on Friday night. FC United of Manchester, a club formed by Manchester United fans who reached the end of their tether with the Glazer family`s sodden ownership, the youngest club in the competition, at just 5 years old, overcome Rochdale 3-2 thanks to a 94th minute winner.
Some of those fans had supported Manchester United for over 60 years, followed them to Barcelona for the 1999 Champions league final in the Nou Camp. They would have been in dreamland that night as United scored 2 goals late on to lift the trophy, and they’ll be in dreamland again if they can get through their second round tie, possibly leaving the door open of a return to Old Trafford for a Third round game. Stranger things have happened.
Dover Athletic, the non leaguers from Kent, saw off another Kent club, Gillingham. There was history between the two clubs. Andy Hessenthaler led Dover to 2 successive promotions before jumping ship to his fomer Gillingham. Dover replaced Hessenthaler with Ian Hendon. 18 days later Hessenthaler stole Hendon from Dover and made him his number two at Gillingham. Then there was the small matter of compensation. Dover didn’t receive any for the pair, but the 2-0 win yesterday will have been more than enough compensation.
The 3pm kick off`s were proving to be more romantic than a proposal at the top of the Eiffel tower. Tamworth caretaker boss Des Lyttle will be hoping for a proposal of his own, in the form of a contract from his chairman for the full time job. Lyttle guided his Blue Square part-timers into the second round after a 2-1 victory over league two side Crewe Alexandra.
Perhaps not dominating the main headlines, but certainly worth a mention are Accrington Stanley and Bury who beat league one opposition Oldham Athletic and Exeter City respectively.
As we all know, a cup shock doesn’t necessarily mean victory. Blue Square South team Dartford earnt a reply against high flying league two Port Vale, as did Woking who held Brighton, who top league one and are on a 12 match unbeaten run.
Following the replays of yesterday`s drawn matches, November 27th is the date that could see as many as 14 non league teams do battle for an opportunity to be in the hat for the 3rd round.
No need to look in the lonely hearts column to spice up your romance, note that date down in your diary. Swindon Supermarine anyone?
