Features

FA Cup third round shocks

Author: John Harris
Date: 07/01/2010
Football betting

The magic of the FA Cup is dying according to large sections of the media, but last weekend's third round tie still threw up a few notable shocks.

Primary amongst those was Leeds United's 1-0 victory at Old Trafford against Premier League champions Manchester United.

Once a fiery top-flight rivalry, Leeds' slide to League One has robbed their fans of the chance to gloat at the Red Devils' faithful, but Jermaine Beckford gave the Whites a well-deserved win on Sunday afternoon.

The in-demand striker's 20th goal of the season was just reward for a fine display by Simon Grayson's men, who could have won more easily had Robert Snodgrass' late free-kick not cannoned back off the crossbar.

Leeds' win was even more important when a trip to Spurs in round four emerged from the bag of balls later in the day.

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The result was even more notable as Sir Alex Ferguson's sportsbook favourite side had not lost to lower division opposition in the FA Cup since 1984, when they were undone 2-0 at Bournemouth.

It was also the only win for a lower league side against a Premier League team in the third round tie which beat the inclement weather.

Reading came close to springing a shock at home to Liverpool, with the out-of-form Reds escaping with a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium.

Carlisle United eventually lost 3-1 at Everton, but the League One Cumbrians gave an excellent display at Goodison Park and were only undone by two goals in the final eight minutes by the home side.

Non-league York City must have been dreaming of a glory day when they took the lead at Stoke City thanks to a Neil Barrett strike, but the Potters hit back to ease through 3-1.

Had the Minstermen held on the visit of Arsenal in the fourth round would have seen them handed the chance to repeat their 1-0 giantkilling act of January 1985.

Barrow and Luton Town were sent packing by Sunderland and Southampton respectively, leaving Forest Green Rovers to fly the non-league flag for the time being, after their trip to Notts County was frozen out.

All of which leaves Leeds as the main shock-producers, in a weekend of FA Cup action that was also characterised by low attendances at many fixtures.

Perhaps the magic of the FA Cup is on the wane, but try telling that to the fans of the likes of Sutton United and Hereford United, who still revel in glories of many moons ago.

The players of this season's winners will not be pondering the competition's fate, either, when they hoist the famous trophy aloft at Wembley come May.

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