DON, DA, DON, DON, DAAAAA.....

It is FA Cup 3rd Round weekend and the paper writers are bemoaning the lack of interest in this weekend's football, arguing that the 3rd Round does not have the magic of the past. I disagree. The round is clearly important to the TV companies who have spread their matches over the complete weekend. It is very important to the non-league and lower league clubs who will gain in quodos should they get a draw or a win against the higher ranked sides and of course the ties are financially rewarding. It also puts lesser league players on show. You never know!

One of the magical ties is Sutton United v AFC Wimbledon at the Borough Sports' ground, Gander Green Lane. Historically, they are south London rivals and in 1963 the two teams (actually the Wombles were known as Wimbledon FC)  met at Wembley in the FA Amateur Cup Final. The result, a 4-2 victory for the "Dons". Eddie Reynolds scored all 4 goals; ALL HEADERS! See this>>>>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhFqyCdbaV8

This later became even more remarkable when Wimbledon FC beat Liverpool in the 1988 Cup Final making Wimbledon FC the only OTHER club to win both the FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup. This matched the historic event of the Old Carthusians (Old boys of Charterhouse School) who did this double by winning in 1881 the FA Cup and in 1894, the first ever FA Amateur Cup Final.

Tomorrow, non-league Sutton United host Football League team AFC Wimbledon on their "artificial pitch", hoping to equal the amazing Cup events of:
1970 Sutton were playing Leeds United in their pomp in the 4th Rd at home (lost 0-6);
1989 v Coventry 3rd Rd at home win 2-1 (they then lost away at Norwich 0-8); and
1993-4 3rd v Notts County away lost 2-3, having beaten Colchester (a) and Torquay (a) en route.

In 1975-6, in the 1st Rd,  Sutton Utd played Bournemouth at home (draw 1-1) and away at the old Dean Court (now the revamped Vitality Stadium), losing 0-1. For the record I played in both games!