A KEEPER'S LOT IS NOT ALWAYS A HAPPY ONE

5th January 1985 In their pre-Football League days, Burton Albion certainly had a memorable season in the FA Cup in 1984/85. The Northern Premier League part-timers reached the Third Round where they were drawn at home to nearish neighbours Leicester City. 

Ok, their home for the match was switched to nearer neighbours, Derby County, with their then, Baseball Ground being able to accommodate a far larger attendance for their match against top flight Leicester. 

On Saturday 5th January 1985 the Brewers made a confident start in front of a 22,492 crowd but with the score at 1-1 Burton 'keeper Paul Evans was hit by a missile thrown from the crowd. Evans was badly dazed and the second half was delayed for several minutes to allow the goalkeeper additional time to recover. But he remained between the sticks - Burton's sub had already been used - but at the final whistle Leicester were 6-1 victors with Gary Lineker having scored a hat-trick. However, because of the crowd problems the FA declared the match void and ordered the tie to be replayed behind closed doors at a neutral venue. It was a very cold winter so that match was played on January 16th at Coventry City's Highfield Road ground - it had undersoil heating - with Leicester winning with the only goal of the match.

Another Keeper was Crystal Palace's Alex Kolinko....https://rednbluearmy.co.uk/articles/05-01-17-back-day-january-5th-alex-kolinko-and-save  YOU must see this Kolinko clip!!!!!

Saturday 5th January 2002 Newcastle United 2-0 Crystal Palace

FA Cup 3rd Round – Att: 38,089 Manager: Trevor Francis. This turned out to be a routine win for Premier League opposition, Newcastle Utd, against Division One competition. However, it is well remembered by Palace fans for one reason alone – Alex Kolinko.

The Latvian stopper was unable to prevent an Alan Shearer free kick and a Clarence Acuna strike from finding the back of his net, but he was able to pull off one of the most incredible saves you could ever wish to see. Unfortunately, I have searched high and low but cannot find footage of the save that ultimately sums up the erratic goalkeeper.

He chased the ball out of his penalty area and into the corner where he put in a slide tackle on Craig Bellamy. The ball fell kindly for Newcastle, however, and the ball was crossed towards the edge of the penalty area where a simple shot on target would find the back of the net. Olivier Bernard let the shot fly, yet somehow Kolinko came sprinting, and then flying, across the goal to finger-tip the ball away....truly a remarkable stop!!!

Palace were not so fortunate last night......COYS!