7th January 1989, just two years after their own "Giant killing act", beating Spurs in the 1987 FA Cup Final (remember that?), Coventry City were humiliated, by losing 2-1 at Gander Green Lane, home of Non-Leaguers, Sutton United. En route to this triumph, the United played some familiar Non-Leaguers, away at Dagenham in the Cup's First Round, on November 19th away, winning 0-4. Then they beat Aylesbury United 0-1 away on December 10th.
Sutton went on to meet Norwich City on January 24th at Carrow Road next, and were thumped 8-0. The Canaries beat Sheffield United 3-2 at home in the next Round, on February 18th, following up with a 3-1 home win over West Ham, on March 22nd, following a 0-0 draw.
South London rivals and Cup holders,Wimbledon, lost to Everton 0-1 in the Sixth Round on March 19th.
At Villa Park, Everton beat Norwich 1-0 on April 15th. This set up a Merseyside derby at Wembley on May 20th, with Liverpool winners, 3-2.
And in 1956, although the Busby Babes went on to win the League Championship in 1955/56 Manchester United were brought firmly down to earth with a 3rd Round FA Cup defeat at Bristol Rovers that season. A 35,872 Eastville crowd saw Rovers win 4-0 and record one of their most memorable results in what was - amazingly to think of now - Manchester United's only cup-tie that season. Only once since - in 1958/59 - have Manchester United played just one cup match in a season.
One of Bristol Rovers scorers that day was Barrie Meyer who was also a talented cricketer, playing for Gloucestershire in the summer. In later life he went on to became a Test match umpire and so became the first player to score an FA Cup goal against Manchester United and umpire a Test match - how's that for an obscure sporting connection!
No comments:
Post a Comment