THE F.A.CUP

I love the F.A.Cup. It's the sudden death element to it that appeals, which gives the underdog teams a real chance, particularly if they are playing at home on a crappy pitch and with frenzied support. Other countries' cup competitions (Spain, for instance) play home and away matches, and it's very difficult for the lower division teams to win on aggregate. Their only chance is a 1-off, where they play at 100mph, hope to get the first goal, and then hang on.

Ronnie Radford's screamer for non-league Hereford in the third round replay against Newcastle United in 1972 was one of the great memories of my youth. Hereford had surprisingly drawn 2-2 away against the top-flight side, after taking the lead after just 17 seconds; and the replay was played on a mudbath in front of a packed ground in which people were hanging in the trees outside. Newcastle scored in the 82nd minute, but Radford equalised with five minutes to go, before Ricky George scored the winner in extra time. Both Hereford goals sparked a pitch invasion, and  Radford's was later voted the goal of the season. It was terrific stuff.

I have just watched Fleetwood, from the fifth best league, against Blackpool, from the championship (second best). The two clubs are only 10 miles from each other, so it was a full house at Fleetwood's small ground. Blackpool got an early lead, which should have spelled disaster; but Fleetwood played brilliantly for the rest of the first half and should have equalised. However, they didn't; and Blackpool's greater professionalism told after the break, as they ran out winners 5-1.

Walter Blotscher