The Best Day of the Footer Season!
For some, the mercenary nature of the modern game has robbed the FA Cup of its romance. Not for me. Third Round Saturday is still my favorite day of the season and I look forward to this weekend every year. So, brew up a cuppa, relax in an easy chair and join me on ESPN+ for a full day of the good stuff.
715 Comments:
Morning, chaps! I hope that you're feeling the Cup tingle like I am. I'm a happy chappy to be back in The Cottage in my favorite chair after a long drive back from the holidays in VA.
Third Round weekend actually started yesterday when I was on the PA Turnpike with Spurs absolutely murdering Tranmere 0-7 thanks to a hat-trick from the forgotten striker Fernando Llorente. We're likely to see a lot of forgotten men this weekend as the big boys rest their stars.
First up this morning among a slate of early matches is ManYoo and Reading. Manchester United and Reading have history in the FA Cup. A long tradition stretches all the way back to 1912, when Billy Meredith and Sandy Turnbull starred in a 3-0 win for United at Old Trafford. Since then they've met several times in the Cup, including a last minute win for the Biscuitmen in 1927. United beat Reading in back to back seasons in 1937 and 1938. And the Busby Babes side routed Reading 4-1 in 1955.
The last time they met, Roon, Kung Fu and Rash starred in a 4-0 win two years ago. All in all, then, history doesn't favor the London side and they're coming off a 4-1 thrashing by Swansea.
At the same time this morning, Bournemouth are taking on Brighton, Burnley are playing Barnsley, Not a Big Club plod along with Luton, Shrewsbury meet Stoke, WBA host Wigan and the Happy Hammers invite Brum into the London Stadium.
Not surprisingly, only two United players remain from the starting XI named for the win Newcastle on Wednesday. Here are the sides lining up in the tunnel at OT now:
Manchester United: Romero, Dalot, Darmian, Jones, Young, Fred, McTominay, Andreas Pereira, Mata, Lukaku, Sanchez.
Subs: Lindelof, Rashford, Martial, Grant, Fellaini, Garner, Chong.
Reading: Jaakkola, Yiadom, Tiago Ilori, Moore, Richards, Kelly, Rinomhota, McCleary, Swift, Harriott, Loader.
Subs: Gunter, O’Shea, Aluko, Barrow, Meite, Walker, East.
Referee: Stuart Atwell (Nuneaton).
Good morning, Bob. Up to join you for what always is a special day of the season. Just saw that every match is on Plus, but definitely watching United
Wahay! Thanks to my father-in-law, I've finally figured out how to project the ESPN+ matches up on my telly. I'm ready to go!
Morning, MUR! Great timing, mate - the teams are coming out of the famous tunnel at OT. How are you feeling about this one?
Morning boys
I thought United were the late kick off!
I luckily woke up.... have my ESPN+ going strong on my Apple TV
Got the match on while a hot pot of coffee is brewing
Wonderful - me too, mate! Welcome, UWS!
Good morning, UWS.
Are Fred and Sparky up with you or are they having a lie in?
Impressed with your anoraking Bob!
We are off
Reading get us going on Third Round Saturday!
They're off from OT
Weird camera angle - how bloody high up is that stand at OT now? It's like they've built up to the moon.
The kick off was at the same time as my phone update
Glad I won't hear things early
Me too. Thought they were the Railroaders , not the Biscuitmen
One of seven cup ties currently being played,.
I don't notice a different camera angle
Thanks again for ESPN mate
To answer Bob's question, feeling pretty confident. Would be more confident if old Man O'Shea were starting, who probably played alongside OGS
YES> THank you, Bob. Otherwise, no FA CUP for us
I can't believe I thought United were on at 12:30.... not 12:30 UK time
My pleasure, mate - I had no idea it was going to be so useful. I thought I'd just be watching the Leeds matches in the Championship. Now I notice that the Plus is covering every single Cup match this morning!
Crowd sounding great
Singing You are my Solskjaer my Ole Solskjaer..... clean version and Wembley Wembley.
I know! It is great!
League Cup too
Listened to the match yesterday on Sirius then watched it on PLUS yesterday evening
The Hammers have taken an early lead at the London Stadium through Marko Arnautovic. Good to see that they're taking this competition seriously.
There is a complaint that there so many games not at 3 o'clock kick offs in the 3rd Round
There's a dirty version of that song?
My blogging buddy is sitting here waiting for the Black Cats, failing to relaize they are playing a L1 match today instead.
That still bothers me, too. I still love the way that they did things in the old days.
Just sent you guys a vid
McTomain ,down as if he has Tomain poisoning off a well worked free kick. Clashed heads
Just saw the vid, but will need to get me reading glasses. Thanks for sending.
What's the link that you just texted, UWS? It came up really tiny on my phone. Funny free kick?
Anuatovic put gave the Hammers the lead vs the Brummies
Clean version is
You are my Solskjaer my Ole Solskjaer
You make me happy
When skies are grey
You're never boring
You just keep scoring
Please don't take my Solskjaer away
Their version
You are my Solskjaer my Ole Solskjaer
You make me happy
When skies are grey
Oh Alan Shearer
Was fuckin dearer
Please don't take my Solskjaer away
If United win today then OGS would be the first United manager to win his first five matches in charge
Really, it seems the normal size on my phone
Nice one, UWS. Great to way to start to Third Round Saturday
Come on United.... get some goals
I had the same problem as Bob
United legend John O'Shea enjoying some gum on the bench this afternoon.
My link just froze... bugger
It's back
Fantastic! I've only heard the clean version before. Nice one!
Mine too - fortunately, it was easier to reboot than on my ancient laptop.
OH! Alexis just over with a shot form the edge of the box off some nice one touch passing
But blurry... now paused again
I fear I am now behind
I was hoping better from United so far
Reading are in the bottom two!
Oooh Sanchez with a great effort
Decent chance there for Reading. Blasted over the top.
Reading attack and Yiadom has a shot land in the cheap seats of the Stretford End . United caught out
Yash obstructs Yiadom
Jose lookalike on the touchline... get him out
United need to be thirsty like the Spuds, who were so thirsty they went seven up at Tranny's place. That sounds dirty
Fred has the ball in the net but it's been flagged off for some reason.
I am really behind now
Since it's the Cup, we've got some VAR action now.
GOAL !!!! NO VAR BEING CONSULTED AFTER FRED SCORED. Possible penalty to United
VAR is in affect..offside or pen?
I'd say Fred was offside but Mata was chopped down and it should be a pen.
Fred offside, but there be the Mata of a spot kick
The right decision by Referee Attwell. Penalty it is.
Just as the Doc ordered, VAR does Mata as United have a spot kick
This VAR stuff takes too long
They don't seem to add that much time
Penalty
Mata slots home and United lead 1-0.
GOAL !!! IT' WAS JUST A MATA OF TIME AS HE SENT THE BIG FINNISH KEEPER THE WRONG WAY
Definite trip by Omar Richards on Mata
Only the second Cup goal of the day. The other was for the Hammer's vs Garry Monk's lads.
Hopefully I was able to forward my link
OGS to become the first United manager to win his first five matches in charge?
The penalty the only shot on target. Reading's only shot was the one that landed in the cheap seats of the Stretford End
United starting to flow now.
Are you back with the live action, UWS?
Nice one touch passing by United but the pass from Yash was easily gathered by the keeper.
Shoot it Sanchez.... didn't you see Ole's video!!
Oh - Alexis wriggled his way into the area but was blocked out. United is total ascendancy now after a useful start by Reading.
Nobody thought that going seven up at tranny by being thirsty was dirty?
Oh - Mata played The Chunk through and he had the pace to run through on goal but the keeper saved.
I heard that MUR but I looked back at United's record and it looks like United won 5 in SMB first season.. possibly not his first!
Lukaku has a big chance then Reading should have equalized!
OH!! The Chunk put through but took too long too shoot and his shot was saved by the keeper.
Oh - Reading player was through on goal when my vid freezes up again. Fortunately, no goal and I'm back.
Then Danny Loader missed a great chance for Reading . Rounded Sergio Romero , but took too long to shoot and his shot took a nick off of Romero for a Reading corner
Brighton take the lead at Bournemouth
Reading go close again!
A bit parsimonious with the goals in the Cup this morning. Just the two goals so far.
Long range effort from Cally Harriott high and wide
That goal was a real Konackaert!
WBA take the lead vs Wigan
Horrible foul on Fred and should have been a Reading booking. It is a deserved booking for Andy Yiadom
Bakary Sako with that goal
Two nil Seagulls!!
Looks like a repeat of 83 Cup Final then
Just a reminder that the Spurs took 40 minutes to score yesterday then ran rampant in the second half, The same for United today?
Nice one, MUR!
It's a real Knockaert of the Cherries as he's at the double.
Cheers, Bob.
I came home from work and watched the second half of the Spurs game..... pretty impressive
Brought on Kane when already SIX NIL up!
Spurs really could have been in there for the league... can't lose at home to Wolves.... and United!
Would like a repeat of the 1983 Final, but not the Third Round of 1984!
Sanchez blows his dribbling... I thought you were going to be a changed man
You lot have to be happy with the start that Ole has had at OT.
Hopefully that does happen next weekend. Wasn't going to watch the Cup tie, but after listening to it on the radio on a long drive, I couldn't pass up the chance
Because of United not being on the telly on Wednesday, I went to the Biergarten for the match. I met some of my old teammates from my Over 30 team. A United fan and two Toon fans... good time
Who was in charge of the Cherries?
Wolves seem to be the spoilers this season. They already held Citeh to a draw early in the season. They play Liverpool in the Cup this weekend and then have Citeh to play next in the league.
Arno scored the Hammers goal but has gone off hurt according to Matt
Yiadom on thin ice as he trips Alexis and already on a yellow.
United fly off to Dubai after this match to prepare for Spurs
I think it was Harry Redknapp, just starting his managerial career.
Pros can't complain about the travel they have to put up with when these trips are made
It was
Extra credit: former Liverpool player Jimmy Melia was in charge of the Seagulls in the 1983 Final and former Liverpool player , Jimmy Case scored important goals in that Cup run
Never agreed with those trips to the Middle East. Why go over there to prepare? Might as well go to Florida to prepare. Should stay in Blighty
A quintet of stoppage time minutes that will surely infuriate UWS
Okay... but no extra credit offered!
Here is the extra credit... a player on Brighton had a sporting brother. Name him and his brother?
What's in Dubai that would help these players prepare for a league match with Spurs?
They should stop the clock for VAR... nothing to do with injuries!
SUN
Will United do a Spurs.... be one up at half and then open the floodgates
Reading look that bottom two of the Championship
Is it Jimmy Bong on Brighton and Kevin Phillips Bong from the Slightly Silly Party?
Romero pushes a near post effort from Yiadom around for a Reading corner
YES..... TWO NIL
Lukaku doubles United lead
WAY HAY! THE CHUNK PUTS UNITED TWO UP, ROUNDDING THE BIG FINNISH KEEPER FOR A NICE FINISH
Lovely through ball from Alexis and The Chunk does what he does. 2-0 United!
Sorry Bob... the Bongs had retired by 83
I'm going with Dean Wilkins, one of the Wilkins brothers, who played for the Seagulls
Half-time whistle goes: United haven't been spectacular but it's been a professional performance and they should be safely through to the 4th Round now.
HT... TWO NIL UNITED
We are pretty much in the hat for Monday
United two up at the half in what was a fairly even half, but United capitalized on some mistakes by the Championship stugglers
I remember Steve Foster being banned for the Final and everything complaining and hoped he would be able to play
He wasn't.... Brighton played and should have won
In the replay, he played and United tanked them 4-0
On Whiteside's goal, Foster knelt as Norman headed the ball in for United's second
Lawrie Mac gave him grief
A cup upset brewing? Shrews take the lead vs the Potters with a spot kick on the stroke of halftime
That is incorrect
Steve Getting played for the Seagulls and his brother Mike was starring for England in cricket... became their captain
I like no commercials!
Wonder what I am going to watch for the 3 o'clockers.... oh the choices!
YIKES! Reading with 63% of the possession. How often does a Championship team com to OT dominating possession? It shows their not coming to sit back and defend.
Forgot about Gatting brothers. That brings back memories. Great question.
From Wiki
Before playing cricket professionally, Gatting used to play football for Watford reserves. As a fourteen-year-old goalkeeper on trial at Queen's Park Rangers, Gatting was told that he was too short and fat to make the grade. Gatting also went on an unfrutiful trial with fellow Londoners Arsenal. That being so, he turned to cricket for his sporting future and QPR signed the other trialist that day, Phil Parkes
WOW !!! What a story. I remember Parkes signing the Winter of 1979, but he left for QPR for the Hammers. Is that correct?
We are off for the second half
Second half underway from OT!
Dates sound right
Parkes took over for Mervyn Day
United are two up but haven't been that pleased how they are playing
Reading makes a substitution as a forward is on for a defender. Former Tiger, Sone Aluko on for Tiago Illori
United attacking the Stratford End in this second half, just as they like it. One change for Reading.
Jonathan Swift not too swift with that Reading effort that lands in Row L
I remember Mervyn Day. promising young keeper, who never fully lived up to his potential. Had a long career with Leeds United as Bob may remember.
The free kick from Swift not too swift in terms of pace and easily gathered by Romero
That Shrews penalty scored by Oliver Norburn , who is the only player to score and the only player booked in that cup tie
3rd Round Fixtures UK time
1 Friday match
Saturday
7 12:30 kickoffs
10 3'clockers
5. 5:30
Sunday
7 2 o'clockers
1 4:30
Monday
1 7:45
I'll probably watch the Chelsea v. Forest. What about the rest of you?
Cherries get a goal back
Oh - Romero does well to save there from Harriet.
Struth... Reading should have scored there... great pass
Would have been offside
Again, how can Reading be second bottom!
Are Leeds just that good?
OH!!! Aluko picked out Harriott , who was through on goal, but his shot was kick saved by Romero. Should have scored, but was offside.
Oh - Lukaku was nearly in there again from a Mata touch.
Marc Pugh with the Cherries goal. Does Pugh smell a comeback?
I guess... even though I hate watching Chelsea!
LOVE having choices!
Everton Lincoln ?
Everton stink
Lincoln top
We are that good, of course! The Championship is a really competitive league, though.
I was thinking wither Chelsea vs Forest or Accrington Stanley vs the Tractor Boys
In the late match, UWS will be watching an intriguing encounter as the Canaries host Pompey
Nasri has been replaced by Snoddy at the London Stadium
Wonder how Nasri will be at West Ham
That sounds like an intriguing encounter. A fan of the 16th President?
He played for the current manager at Citeh . Could be a great signing if he keeps his temper under control.
Tomorrow at 9?
Woking v Watford?
Preston v Doncaster?
Sheff Utd v Barnet
Millwall v Hull?
Who should I watch? If only there was another game!
LOL! Come on, now!
I 'll put one match on the telly and one on the computer!!!
I should be doing that now!!
What game should I get up
Like for like as former Swan , Mo Barrow on for Gareth McLeary
Brighton get their two goal lead back
I've got Shrewsbury v Stoke
Newly shorn Hair Bear is on for Fred now.
OGS a Cheech and Chong fan? Tommy Chong on for the small Mata of a United first team debut
The Hair Bear comes on AND Fellaini!
Also like for like as the Ex Hair Bear on for Fred
Both teams wearing stripes at Shrewsbury... good to see
I' interested in Woking vs Watford,
Andone with the Seagulls goal.
Sanchez off for Rashford.... come on Marcus... run them riot
The final roll of the dice from oGS and enforced as Rash is on for Alexis, who has an injured Hammmy
So I should watch that one then... if only there was another match in London tomorrow!
Watford would do well not too take the match at Woking for granted. Graham Taylor's Hornets escaped with a 4-3 win vs Harlow , who had knocked out the Foxes in the previous round
Agreed. Is it blue and yellow strips vs red and white stripes?
Shrew fans singing.... You're getting sacked in the morning
Chong looks fast
Fellaini misses an open goal
Nice solo run by Yash, who passes to the Ex Hair Bear, who knew little about it and it was gathered by the keeper.
Singing to Gary Rowett? Nice to hear.
I now have three matches going!
United
Shrewsbury
Wednesday v Luton
I could kiss you BOB!!
United break and a pass from the Chunk intended for Chong was too short and allowed Liam Moore to make a slide tackle.
Another chance for Reading... they deserve a goal!
If United leave it this wide open against Spurs... they will concede seven!
The subs combine as Mo Barrow passes to Aluko , who has a shot tipped around for a corner by Romero. Shot blocked for another corner
LOL! I was thinking only five!
Can't say this is a weak United defense
We don't have a strong one!
I guess Lindeloff comes in
Two matches on the computer?
He has been a starter since OGS took over.
I am hope Charlton beat Sunderland today
As I was typing this, Matt with no idea I was typing Sunderland told me there is a Netflix original series all about Sunderland!
Sunderland Until I Die
Did Bob get scared off by my threat of a kiss??
Yes
At Shrew and Hillsboro
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