FA Cup Third Round Results 2nd January Part 4

Stoke City 3-1 York City
York might be on the other side of England from Wales (or it might not be, I know where all the counties are but I’m not so good with towns) but that doesn’t stop them from having England’s highest quota of Welsh players (Swansea have more but they’e not English are they?). And they all had a part to play in this game which started brilliantly but had a predictable end.
BBC Sport originally credited Levi Mackin with the assist for the first goal. Right nationality, wrong player – it was actually Alex Lawless. Danny Parslow became the Wales player I most want to hug after scoring a horrible own goal to put Stoke level but if he hadn’t done it, I’m sure a Stoke player would have done. A double substitution saw Kevin Gall come onto the pitch as Danny left it (a good 41 minutes after his own goal, not including half-time) but technically he didn’t replace him. Levi Mackin might not have got his assist but both he and Luke Graham ensured a mention in this blog by getting a yellow card each.
Ryan Shawcross didn’t play for Stoke after getting his fifth yellow card but Danny Collins played the full match.

Sunderland 3-0 Barrow
The match came to a predictable end but in the absence of a Cupset it at least it offered the opportunity to see Barrow’s three Welsh players. And I did get to see Gareth Jelleyman making both aa ahndball and a good save (the save was with his foot) but the highlights were too short for me to see Simon Spender (who according to the Guardian is “arguably the best right back in non-league football”) and Mike Pearson (who staked his claim to be the best centre back) but they were there the whole tme. Although it was good to find out Mike had completed the match, which he was unable to do in Barrow’s last FA Cup appearance against Middlesbrough.

Torquay United 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton needed a goal to save them from a replay against a League Two side and you’ll never guess who provided it. Yes, it was Andrew Crofts, who has been named as Brighton’s official captain. And I’m sure Craig Davies could have got one a goal too if he’d come off the bench.

FA Cup Third Round Fixtures 2nd January Part 4

Portsmouth v Coventry City
Portsmouth might be floundering at the foot of the Premier League table but then Coventry aren’t that far from the foot of their own league. But on the other hand. Freddy Eastwood – despite being ill at the moment - is on great form for Coventry so if a giant-killing is going to happen anywhere, it could well be in Portsmouth.

Preston North End v Colchester United
After a 5-0 victory over Norwich at the start of the season, Norwich stole Colchester’s manager. But while Norwich are now above Colchester, it’s not by much and Colchester are still pushing for the play-offs. And without Lee Beevers too.
Preston could be without Paul Parry who didn’t train today and will have a fitness test before the match.
Colchester might not want the distraction of a Cup run. But beating the off-form Preston would be proof that they’re in the Championship hunt for real.

Reading v Liverpool
Earlier this week, Simon Church completed his first ninety minutes for Reading for quite a while. He didn’t actually score a goal but maybe he’ll be all warmed up in time for Liverpool’s game and ready to show the former top 4 side that Reading mean business. But I still think Liverpool will win.

Southampton v Luton Town
Southampton are obviously much better than their league form suggests. But then, Luton are at least a whole division better than their league form suggests.
Southampton have been going well lately with young Lloyd James one of their star players. But let’s not forget, Luton beat Scunthorpe United to win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final last season. And Scunthorpe went on to win promotion to the Championship.

Stoke City v York City
This is probably the match with the biggest potential for romance. Stoke are off-form and Ryan Shawcross suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card, leaving only Danny Collins (okay and their other great players) between them and embarrassment - but a win for York would be pretty amazing. But then again, York could have star player Alex Lawless, their captain Danny Parslow, Kevin Gall (who featured in at least three of Yeovil Town’s Magic Moments from 200-2009 – I refuse to say ‘noughties’), loan star Luke Graham from Mansfield and anchorman Levi Mackin in the team.