The Northwich Victoria Column, Despair or delight, FA Cup is magical

WITH football matches still a distant dream, this week I’m reflecting on two memorable FA Cup matches of the past.

The FA Cup is, in my view, a magical competition. Though I know Vics will never win it, a run in it can be of vital importance to any non-league club.

Financially, even just 2 or 3 wins in it can give you stability for that season along with a little something to put in the bank…..subject to having the right owners of course!

But mainly it’s about the excitement, the unpredictability and the chance of a little glory and publicity.

On December 5, 2015, a good run had led Vics to the second round where they were rewarded with an away tie at second division club Northampton Town.

Vics’ fans travelled down in force more in hope than expectation but the team responded and in the first half Vics more than matched their opponents.

In the final minute of the half, Vics took the lead as a corner wasn’t fully cleared and midfielder Jimmy Ball hammered the ball home.

Vics’ fans were starting to believe now, and that belief became greater in the 63rd minute when Brian Summerskill gained possession and executed a near perfect chip over the keeper which hit the bar, but Richie Bennett was on hand to nod the rebound home.

Northampton Town responded by making all 3 substitutes, and pushing forward.

Mason Springthorpe made a great diving save to deny Marc Richards, and Vics were holding on well but then in the 83rd minute, Vics were dealt a cruel blow as a shot from Town’s Nicky Adams gained a big deflection off Hoskins completely wrong-footing Springthorpe to give Town some hope.

From here on in, it was Town attacking and Taylor equalised just 2 minutes later, then with Vics in disarray, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the winner for Town in the 87th minute.

A disastrous 4 minutes for Vics which left the Vics’ supporters ( and the Northampton fans) in disbelief.

Football can be a cruel game, and it was a long drive home that evening.

So no glory, only heartbreak that day, but it had been different only six years earlier (Nov 8, 2009) as another Vics cup run was rewarded by a home tie against then 1st Division leaders Charlton Athletic in the 1st Round proper.

2153 fans watched along with hundreds and thousands more live on ITV, as Vics dominated their more illustrious opponents.

However Vics couldn’t score despite having by far the better of the play.

Darren Randolph ( now at West Ham United) in the Charlton net was equal to all that Vics could throw at him. Matt Bailey was causing havoc in the Charlton defence winning all of Ian Herring’s trademark long throws into the box, but still Vics’ couldn’t score.

The crowd roared them on, and just as time seemed to be running out, in the 81st minute, Michael O’Connor headed forward over the top of the Charlton defence for newly introduced substitute Wayne Riley to run onto and toe poke the ball home.

Pictures by Nick Jones

Cue scenes of delight, what a noise there was ! But there were still 10 minutes to go, finger nails were being bitten as the nerves mounted.

The minutes were going slowly but Vics were holding on. Then with time running out, Vics conceded a free kick on the edge of their box, no-one could look but the ball thudded against the resolute Vics wall.

Then the whistle went, Vics had done it ! A memorable, and well deserved victory which summed up the magic of the FA Cup. Despair or delight, the FA cup is still the competition for me.