GUNNERS v IMPS

 11th March 2017

The 2016/17 season was certainly a memorable one for the non-league contingent in the FA Cup. Two non-league clubs – Lincoln City and Sutton United – reached the 5th Round (last 16) which was the only time that had ever happened (the Football League was formed in 1888). The FA Cup founded in 1872. 

Sutton United, then Isthmian League members, beat Dartford 3-6 in Rd 1, beat Cheltenham 2-1 in Rd 2 and AFC Wimbledon 1-3 in R3, LEEDS UTD on January 29th, 2017 1-0 in the 4th Rd. Losing to Arsenal 0-2 on February 20th in the 5th Rd.

Arsenal then beat Lincoln City 5-0 at Arsenal in the 6th Rd on March 11th: 

On April 23rd Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-1 (kick off 15.00), aet in the semi-final at Wembley. 

Chelsea beat Spurs 4-2 in the other Wembley Semi-Final @ 17.15.

The FA Cup Final held on May 27th 2017 saw Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1.

Lincoln City, from Level 5, won through to the 6th Round, which was the first time a non-league Club had reached the last 8 since QPR, then in the Southern League, did so in the 1913/14 season. QPR lost to Liverpool 2-1. The Imps beat FIVE League clubs on their journey.

Conference side Lincoln City had beaten Oldham, Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley* on their way to the quarter-finals where they played Arsenal at the Emirates on March 11th 2017. OK they lost that one 5-0 but they earned a fortune which set them up for their return to the Football League in 2017/18.

* Burnley became the first club from the top flight, to be beaten TWICE at home by a non-league club.