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 5

Sunderland v Barrow
Another possibility for romance, this time starring Barrow’s fantastically-named Gareth Jelleyman. Just don’t get sent off, Gareth. The Soccer Saturday team might find it amusing but most people with a bit of romance in their soul will be very disappointed. Two more Welshman could feature for Barrow - Simon Spender, who is said to be the most annoying person in the world (but only by someone who hasn’t met me) and Mike Pearson. A year ago this weekend, Mike played against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup but was carried off with a double fracture of his right leg. He thought he might never play again so naturally he’s going to be relishing every moment of playing Sunderland.

Torquay v Brighton & Hove Albion
Andrew Crofts should play for Brighton after serving his suspension. But manager Gus Poyet said he’d make his final decision on the captaincy in the New Year and Andrew’s getting himself sent off probably didn’t help a great deal. There might also be a place in the squad for Craig Davies.

Tottenham Hotspur v Peterborough United
Apparently, Benoit Assou-Ekotto is not going to the African Cup of Nations after all but he’s going to have an operation instead so Gareth Bale is still likely to get his promised run in the team. And where better to start than Peterborough? As well as showing all the fans that he’s not a useless jinx, Gareth also has the chance of taking revenge on them for scoring four goals against Cardiff City last weekend.
Craig Morgan might be suspended or he might not. Sky Sports said he would be suspended for the match against Cardiff but he played so maybe it was a suspended suspension (if that makes sense). He got another yellow card against Cardiff but Peterborough Today says it’s only his fourth. So I don’t know what’s going on except that he might not even be a Peterborough player because Notts County are after him.

Wigan Athletic v Hull City
After a series of disappointing displays by Wigan, wouldn’t it be only sensible to put Jason Koumas back in the team? I’m not sure if he’ll actually score any goals though. He will be up against Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.