A Giant Killer Sunday ?
The FA Cup starts bright and early this Sunday morning as Stoke travel to those giant killers , Crawley and their tiny compact stadium in what promises to be a tricky fixture for last year's finalists. This is followed by a tricky fixture for Spurs as they take the short journey to Stevenage in what is potentially a tricky fixture. The final match could be the most discusses match as history may repeat itself.Liverpool hosts Brighton and in case anyone does not remember,Brighton won 1-2 at Anfield at this same stage and on a Sunday to boot as former player Jimmy Case scored the winning goal.They were managed by former Liverpool player, Jimmy Melia.Brighton have never lost at Anfield in the FA Cup as they held Liverpool,l 2-2 in 1991 and defeated Liverpool 2-0 in 1984, albeit at the Goldstone Ground.They defeated Newcastle as they did on route to the final in 1983 .Brighton for the Cup? That is virtually impossible , but they said the same in 1983.Come join us bright and early with some strong coffee to see what happens.
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Good morning lads. we start with Crawley vs Stoke City. I have a link at www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/108632/1/watch-crawley-town-fc-vs-stoke-city.html
The match kicks off from Broadfield Stadium.
Crawley is in all red and Stoke is in all blue.
Styoke will have to acclimate to the surrondings as Snachez Watt wins an early corner for Crawley.
The corner was cleared , but Stoke were tackled three times and another Crawley corner.
Mills heads wide for Crawley to end the threat.
This is a bit different than playing Valencia.A tiny stadium practically on top of the pitch and Stoke is playing as if they are extremely uncomfortable in this environment.
Crawley have dominated the first five minutes.
OH! CRAWLEY NEARLY TOOK THE LEAD AS A HEADER CAME OFF THE BAR AND STOKE COUNTERED AS DANNY COLLINS HEADED ON TO HIS OWN BAR OFF A CRAWLEY CORNER AS BEGOVIC MISSED THE CROSS!
Crouch heads high and wide off a Delap long throw as that was Stoke first attack of the match.
Jon Walters shoots wide off a great run and through ball from Delap.
Tyrone Barnet volleys high and wide off a headed pass from Sanchez Watt.
Crawley is in the fifth round for the second consecutive year.
Stoke is having a some difficulty dealing with Crawley's long throws. One would think they would face Delap's throws regularly in training.
This time Stoke deal with the long throw from David Hunt and now the link has buggered out. The link his back and the announcer says he thinks Rory Delap has been sent off.He has!It seemed harsh, definitely a booking, but the announcer says it is a red based on the new rules.One foot was high, but not both as the studs were up. David Hunt is still down injured as Crawley manager Steve Evans was furious. Tony Pulis is furious as he feels the Crawley bench talked the ref into sending Delap off .The replay shows that Mike Evans was on the pitch yelling for the card.We don't like to see that
Crawley could have had a penalty as Shawcross was on the back of a Crawley player with no intent on playing the ball. Mike Jones was not going to give a penalty immediately after the red card and Shawcross heads out the long throw for a corner.
Stoke clear the corner from Hunt as well as his return cross.
Stoke waste a long free kick as they are called for a foul. They are usually better at set pieces.
You would think Stoke is another League 2 opponent based on this performance.
Claude Davis fouls Walters just outside the box. That was clumsy .
The free kick is easily cleared, but Stoke keep possession.
Crawley head away a cross from Ryan Shotton.
A great Crawley possession as a long range effort is straight to Begovic and now Stoke have their best chance of the match and Camerone Jerome shoots wide with just the keeper to beat.
Crawley have not conceded a goal in the FA Cup this year and they started in the first round, playing two sides from the Championship.
Sanchez Watt shoots high and wide as a cross from David Hunt was headed away.
Begovic takes forever to take the goal kick and the Crawley fans behind his goal call him a wanker.
Begovic needs to be nice to the Crawley fans as the police in this small town may fail to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Crawley is looking to become the first club from the fourth tier to make the quarters of the FA Cup since Cambridge United in 1990 while Stoke is looking to make their third consecutive FA Cup quarterfinal.
A clumsy challenge by Cameron Jerome as the Crawley fans want another red card.
A long range Crawley is harmlessly wide and now Tyrone Barnet shoots tamely wide for Crawley.
Stoke have a penalty as Shawcross went down in the box . Banzine challenged , but it didn't seem to be a foul.
GOAL !!! 0-1 STOKE AS WALTERS SCORES FROM THE SPOT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE HALFTIME.
Harsh on Crawley as there was head tennis in the Crawley box from the long free kick and Shawcross went down easily from a minimal challenge.
Crawley manager , Steve Evans looks furious.
Three minutes of stoppage time.
Shotton wins a corner off of Sergio Torres.
The corner from Glen Whelan fails to beat the first man and Ryan Shotton is booked for a foul on Sergio Torres on the break.
The corner from David Hunt is headed away.
Halftime and Stoke lead 0-1 thanks to a controversial penalty even though Delap was controversially sent off. Hard on Crawley as they were the slightly better team in the first half.
Hey MUR
I am just popping in to say I have to leave and take Jon to a touney. Come on Seagulls!!!
Before I go, I just saw this website...surely this can't be true!! UGLY!
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Parents-slam-Manchester-United-over-new-shirt-profiteering-article867144.html
TTFN
Cheers UWS! wishing Jon the best in the tournament and just letting you know I completed the homework assignments!
The second half kicks off from Broadfield Stadium.
So Crawley is a goal down and a man up.
COME ON YOU REDS!
Begovic does well to gather a cross under pressure , but his long punt is straight to the opposing keeper.
Stoke struggle to clear the long throw from Hunt and then some head tennis just outside the Crawley box.
Scott Neilson is on for David Hunt. This will hurt Crawley as Hunt was wreaking havoc with those long throws, but he may still be feeling the effects of that challenge from Delap.
Scott Neilson's first contribution is to go on a solo run and win a corner.Begovic catches the corner from Neilson. It seems to be a straight swap with Hunt.
Claude Davis is booked for a rash challenge on Camerone Jerome.
GOAL !!! 0-2 AS CROUCH HEADS IN A FREE KICK FROM GLEN WHELAN AS HE WAS UNMARKED AT THE FAR POST OFF THAT FOUL FROM CLAUDE DAVIS.
David was supposed to be marking Crouch. A poor minute from Claude Davis.
I would think this tie is done and dusted.
Sergio Torres has a shot blocked , then Josh Simpson shoots high and wide from just outside the box.
A poor pass from Sergio Torres, then Camerone Jerome is well offside on the break. He kicks the ball away and is booked for that.
Claude Davis heads a long ball out for a Stoke corner.
The corner from Glen Whelan was completely missed by Crouch.
Danny Collins clears a cross from Neilson for a Crawley corner.Crawley took a short corner from Sanchez Watt and Neilson was miles wide with a poor shot. The gaffer was not impressed.
Shawcross is called for a foul on Sanchez Watt.
A useless free kick and possession is back to Stoke.
Ryan Shotton takes the long throw and Crawley deal easily with it, winning a free kick.
Barnet has a shot deflected by Danny Collins for a corner off a cross from Howell.A cross from Simpson leads to another Crawley corner.
Barnet is fouled by Whelan just outside the box from the corner.
The free kick from Howell is comfortably saved by Begovic.
Now Stoke have a free kick that was conceded by Pablo Mills.Crawley clear the free kick kick at the third attempt as the keeper made a volleyball style punch.
A cross from Danny Collins lands on top of the stand and falls out of the stadium!
OH! Just over by Sanchez Watt from just outside the box.
Sanchez Watt shoots straight at Begovic as Neilson won the ball off of Collins and put Watt through.
Camerone Jerome has a goal disallowed for offside. He was a good two yards off.
A wasted Crawley possession as Sanchez Watt went on a great run and nobody was there to get on the end of his pass.
Banzine has a shot blocked and Stoke cannot clear. They are saved by a whistle from Mike Jones.
Pablo Mills concedes a free kick.
A poor free kick from Glen whelan
Simpson has a cross deflected off the bar, but it had gone out of play and it is a corner that is cleared, but Crawley maintain possession.
A cross from Neilson is headed out for a corner by Shawcross.
Andy Wilkinson is on for Cameron Jerome as it is a defender for forward.
Peter Crouch has a shot that clears the stadium as he did well to control a long free kick.Both he and the Crawley fans saw the funny side of it.
Well wide by Sergio Torres.
OH!I thought Crawley scored, but a shot was cleared off the line.
The replay showed that Begovic was beaten and Collins handled on the line. It should have been a penalty to Crawley and a red card for Collins.
Mike Jones blows the final whistle as he will be the main talking point of the match for all the wrong reasons due to three curious decisions.Stoke did just enough to go through with a professional, but unimpressive performance.
So Stoke win 0-2 and go through to the quarters.
A short trip to the loo and the teams are ready to come out of the tunnel at Stevenage. Gary Smith, the former Colorado Rapids manager manages against Harry's Spurs.A similar battle to the earlier cup tie , but a local derby as Spurs make the short trip to Hertforshire as they did when they faced Watford in the fourth round.
Spurs is resting some regulars as Cudicini starts in goal and Ryan Nelsen makes his first start for Spurs.
Morning, boys - I decided to sleep in today as I was knackered last night.
I'm here for a bit of Stevenage giant killing action.
A similar looking stadium to that in Crawley.The match is underway.
Good morning BD. I hope you are well rested from your post Valentine celebrations. Great to have you on board.
Harry and Joe Jordan look as if they had trouble fitting in the dugout!
Gary Smith was the gaffer when Colorado won the MLS cup last year!Quite a change in scenery.
Stevenage have an early free kick.
Early free kick chance for the home side. Oh dear....
A poor free kick is easily cleared by Spurs.
Cudicini gathers a cross at the second attempt.
A bit up and under that Cudo has some trouble with. And his expression is priceless. You're not at Shite Fart today, Carlo!
Stoke won 0-2 at Crawley, but the Potters were not exactly impressive. They got some help from referee. Mike Jones.
He shouldn't play if he can't deal with these challenges. Shocking , considering he has played in England for years and knows what these cup ties are all about.
Kaboul heads an awkward cross out for a Stevenage corner.
Stevenage are acquitting themselves well so far. I hope the Gooner is enjoying Spurs' discomfort here.
The corner was headed out wide by Chris beardsley.
I am sure he is . Stevenage eliminated Newcastle in the third round last year, so they may be better equipped to defeat an EPL team than Crawley.
Stevenage appear to have a more modern looking stadium than Crawley.
Spurs have a corner taken by Danny Rise that is easily cleared.
I hope Phil Dowd has a better match than Mike Jones did.
What are Spurs playing at? They look horrible so far.
Stoke looked the same when they played at Crawley.
Saha is well offside off a through ball.
What's with the American Flag circus tent?
A tent in the design of an American flag with American Flags is just outside the stadium!
Exactly BD! It must be due to the fact that Gary Smith previously managed the Colorado Rapids.
Dafoe Slides in to connect from a cross, but shoots wide off the cross from Danny Rose.
I guess they will have to call it Shite Fart Lane if Spurs keep playing this shite football.
Dawson keeps lumping up front as if he's trying out for a non-league side.
Thirty miles separates Shite Fart Lane from Stevenage.
Ryan Nelsen needs some Grecian formula in the temples.
Stevenage fans now giving their team the "Ole" treatment. LOL!
Oles from the Stevenage fans, then Spurs commit a foul to win the ball. A poor non call from Phil Dowd.
Now Spurs are booed by the Stevenage fans. I am starting to like the Stevenage fans.
Boos for Bale then cheers as he runs the ball out of play.
Why are the Stevenage fans booing Bale? Anti-Welsh bias?
Rose shoots wide from a difficult angle.
First real chance for Spurs - Saha fizzes one just past the post.
I am not sure why they are targeting Bale.
This is similar to the Crawley vs Stoke match.
A shot from Danny rose clears the stadium and Harry is not amused.
What do Spurs and Stevenage have in common?
Ashton receives a lecture from Phil Dowd as he pushed Dafoe in an off the ball incident.
so what do Stevenage ans Spurs have in common, BD?
I'll have to go back and read your Crawley v. Stoke comments. I see that Stoke ran out 0-2 winners.
Good question, mate. I have no idea.
Stevnage manager, Gary Smith, looks as if he is fit enough to still be a footballer.
They both defeated Newcastle United. Despite the changed lineup, it is hard to believe Spurs thrashed Newcastle last week.
Oh - Kyle Walker seemed primed to nod home Spurs' first from a gorgeous ball over from Danny Rose. Somehow he couldn't get up for it.
Give us a Scooby then, MUR?
Ah - I see....good trivia question.
I thought Saha was about to give Spurs the lead, but he hesitated and the Stevenage defender recovered to win the ball when he had just the keeper to beat.
Yes. Time for a Scooby snack!
Stevenage concede a free kick in a dangerous position.
Straight into the wall a Stevevnage were wise to the short free kick.
Indeed, I've got the bagel in the toaster as I type.
Nearly a goal as Dawsoon had a header cleared off the line from a Parker corner that he had won.
I have had two cups of coffee, but have not had any food yet.
It's looking a bit more ominous for Stevenage now as if Spurs will score at some point. They need to take more advantage of these set pieces.
what was Kyle Walker thinking as he did not need to commit that foul by the corner flag.Cudicini tips a header over off the free kick.
Stevenage claim another penalty but that one hit Saha square in the chest.
Joe Byron is booked for a clumsy foul on Scott Parker.
The only cup goals today have been a penalty and a header off free kick. No goals from open play.A shocking cross from Kyle walker. he is better than that.
Add Brighton to teams that have defeated Newcastle. Both this year and in the third round during that famous cup run in 1983.
Spurs have a free kick late on. This would be a real heartbreaker for Stevenage if it were to go in.
Spurs have another free kick just outside the box.
Well wide from Kabboul.
The free kick from Kaboul was well wide.
Walker concedes an unnecessary corner as he has had a mare this first half.
One minute of stoppage time as Stevenage win a corner from a deflected shot.
Spurs struggle to clear the corner.Cudicini catches the cross and it is 0-0 at halftime.Great job Stevenage.
Half time arrives and Stevenage have to be happy with that first half.
0-0.
I am back from a refreshing shower as the keeper did well to save from Bale, then punched away the resulting corner.
Stevenage would be happy with a big payday if they can force a replay at Shite Fart Lane as they challenge for promotion to the Championship.
Spurs dominate possession early in the second half, but Stevenage is well organized.
A cross from Laird is deflected to Cudicini off a great possession.
Bostwick shoots well wide from long range as it looked like something from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
GOAL! Saha bundles it in.
No - it's been disallowed and Saha is staring at the linesman in disbelief!
Good decision - Scottie Parker on the line nodded home in an offside position.
GOAL !!! 0-1 SPURS AS SAHA PUTS THE BALL IN THE NET. No it is called back as Scott Parker was on the line interfering with play. A let off for Stevenage as the keeper fumbled a cross from Danny rose.
Joe Jordan is one of the only Revie era Leeds ex-pros who hasn't come back to Elland Road as a manager - I wonder why?
Saha curls a long range effort several feet over.
They haven't been successful and Joe Jordan must think it's a no win situation.He has been a great assistant manager, but has not been successful as a manager.
A cross field Stevenage pass comes off the roof of the stadium.
Bale shoots well wide as the ball took a hop on the pitch.
Freeman shoots well wide for Stevenage as the shot came off the outside of his boot.
Gary Smith vs Harry Redknapp is an interesting managerial duel as Smith has MLS connections and Redknapp has NASL connections.
Cudicini failed to hold a long range effort and Spurs scrambled to clear.
Krnacjar is on for Kyle walker, who has had a poor match . Harry believes he can create more from his central midfield position.
The keeper catches a cross from Scottie Parker.
Ben May is on for Chris Beardsley As Stevenage make their first change.
Stevenage make a change. Time for fresh legs. But if they can weather another ten minutes or so, we're set for a grandstand finish where they can pour everything they've got left at Spurs.
A long curled free kick from Freeman is straight to Cudicini.
Rose fouls Freeman just outside the box.
Dafoe wins a corner off a long pass.
That is true. Stevenage have held on and this is ripe for a giant killing.
Bale wins a Spurs corner.
The keeper catches the corner from Bale.
It is, indeed. I would love to see it.
Another change for Stevenage - an attacking move.
Another Stevenage change as Don Cowan is on for Darius Charles.
Spurs could have scored as Dafoe put Bale through, but Saha failed to make proper contact off his cross.
I hope they're good enough to play for Accrington Stanley!
Who?
Either team at this match!
Did you know that Sanchez watt played for Crawley today?
LUFC Academy coming on to replace Danny Rose.
Aaron Lennon is on for Danny Rose.
Wow - how the mighty have fallen. From Arsenal to Leeds to Crawley.
Was he on loan at Leeds?He had a decent match today.
Yeah - he was at loan with us last season. He did okay for us, I thought.
I thought he did too, Better than Bannon and Lichaj!
Why wasn't Aaron Lennon on from the off?
Much better than Lichaj and Bannan.
I think Harry was resting some starters thinking this would be an easy match.
Claude Davis the ex Blade also played for Crawley. He conceded the free kick that led to the second goal and failed to mark Crouch off the resulting free kick.
Stevenage make their last change as Phil Edwards is on.
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