Who Wouldn’t Love When A David Beats The Goliaths? The Magic Of English Cup Ties

Situated in a town with population just above the capacity of Old Trafford stadium. Grimsby Town tuple the giants of Manchester on a rainy night at Blundell Park sending shock waves all around the world. The final whistle after the penalty shootout victory sent the nine thousand present in the stands to uproar and some of them running onto the pitch to celebrate. For a neutral you might have watched something magical yesterday night but for a United fan I don’t know what to say? Deflated, Distraught, Doomed? The side from Manchester might have thought about an easy night from which they might grant some goals to their new fellows out there, get the job done and catch an early flight back. But tides turned when Charles Vernam sent the Blundlell Park aloft by sending the home side in front. Ruben Amorim saw his team go two goals down in the first half against a team which is worth just one third of the whole United squad. The second half saw Mbeumo and Maguire fire United back into contention but it wasn’t enough as the final whistle blew with the score 2-2. And in a 24 spot kick long shootout Grimsby only missed once and claimed the victory on the night.

The football Romantics would be happy to resurrect the saying “The Magic of Cup ties” because upsets in the English cup ties has an appeal to it. Who wouldn’t love when a David beats the Goliaths. That’s what makes these cup ties interesting for football romantics. What we witnessed at Blundell park is not the first nor will be the last. Let’s revisit some of the fabled moments in English football.

Manchester United 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday (1990/91 League Cup)

Alex Ferguson's Manchester United side with Paul Ince, Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes headed to the 1991 League Cup final after beating rivals Leeds United. The devils might have thought they had done the hard part because in the final it was Sheffield Wednesday of the second tier. Despite having the stars of the generation it was hard to break through the Sheffield defence that day. A 37th minute strike from Jon Sheridan sealed a famous victory for the Owls.

Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal (1991/92 FA Cup)

This one was dearly mentioned in the the now famed Welcome to Wrexham series marking a historical moment in the club history. Defending English champions Arsenal headed to the Racecourse Ground to face Wrexham who were rock bottom of the fourth division. Arguably the easiest fixture in the history for the Gunners. Wrexham were 92 places below them. With 10 minutes to go in the match Arsenal looked convinced that they were heading to next round after Alan Smith’s first half goal. But when Mickey Thomas sent a 25 yard freekick past David Seaman the then English number one the tides turned. A Steve Watkins strike just two minutes later earned victory for Wrexham.

Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City (FA Cup 2014/2015)

League One side Bradford travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on the Premier League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round of the FA Cup. It all began well for the home side as Gary Cahill and Ramires put them 2-0 ahead in the first half. It was all set for a routine day under the lights for Blues. But Bradford had other ideas. Jonathan Stead returned one in the first half before Felipe Morais made the score level in the 75th minute. Even though Chelsea had the fire power in them Andy Halliday sent the Bantams to lead with just eight minutes to go. Mark Yates slotted a fourth in added time to inflict one of the worst defeats in Jose Mourinho’s glorious Chelsea career.

Oldham Athletic 3-2 Liverpool (FA Cup 2012/13)

Premier League title challengers Liverpool visited the Boundary Park for a Quarter final tie against League one side Oldham Athletic. The Reds had decent strength in their team with the front three of Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge all starting. The hosts had financial distress looming around but produced a magical performance in front of the thirteen thousand home fans present. The Latics went ahead through Matt Smith heading home a Youssouf M’Changama cross before Suarez leveled the score. But Smith went to score again to make it 2-1 before Reece Wabara netted a third for the home side. Even though Joe Allen pulled one back for the visitors. Oldham recorded a famous victory amid all the financial tension within the club.

Man Utd 0-3 York City (League Cup 1995/96)

If you thought the Great Sir Alex Ferguson would never have gone through something bad like Amorim . I would say no. What Ferguson went through was worse. Third tier side York City stunned a United side boasting David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Lee Sharp at Old Trafford. You heard it right, Old Trafford. Paul Barnes put the visitors in front in the 24th minute from a deflected shot. Before doubling the score from the penalty spot. Tony Barras went on to score a third after two minutes inflicting a disastrous defeat at the Theatre of Dreams. League Cup ties were two legged then and United put on a strong team in the second leg. Despite a 3-1 win York City went through 4-3 on aggregate thanks to a strike from Scott Jordan.

Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester City 2012/13)

Premier League relegation contenders came up against the Title contenders in the 2013 FA Cup final at Wembley. City were huge favourites as the Latics were in the relegation zone before the match. Everything looked set for City to clinch the title. The first half ended goalless with City creating all the chances but nothing could break the disciplined defence. The second half started with some improvement from the underdogs as Callum McManaman boasted the biggest of threats. Anyway with a few minutes to spare City full back Pablo Zabaleta was sent off. To all the surprise of the ninety thousand present at Wembley a 90th minute corner kick was converted by substitute Ben Watson to make it 1-0 for Wigan. They held on to secure a historic victory lifting the club’s first major trophy. Roberto Martinez’s side later went on to get relegated from the Premier League that season and also became the first side from England to play in Europe despite being in the second division.

These are just a few, As upsets in the Cup ties are really common especially in English football and Ruben Amorim is not the first manager to encounter such a fate. Big names such as Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Brendon Rogers have all gone through some ill fated domestic cup nights. It might be the time at which it has occurred that has landed Amorim in such a difficult situation.

For people who are wondering why I didn't include Plymouth’s victory against Liverpool, it was because Arne Slot’s side actually played with 10 changes and didn’t lineup a serious side. That was a really outstanding victory and will be given an honorary mention here along with Palace’s victory against Man City earlier this year handing the first major trophy in the club’s history. Remembering the words of Palace manager Oliver Glasner that day “it’s not just about winning a cup; it's about creating memories and emotions that our fans and the club will cherish forever. This feeling you have here, you can’t buy it with any money in the world.” The English cup ties have always delivered you with some amazing results and once again reminds us of what football is all about.