Season 20/21: The Official Stevenage v Swansea FA Cup 3rd Round Match Thread

[swansnews]

Stevenage v Swansea City
The Emirates FA Cup 3rd Round
The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage
Saturday January 9th 2021, 3pm Kick Off

View attachment FA Cup Logo.png

The Swans next game will be our first in the FA Cup this season when we travel to League Two side Stevenage for a third round tie.

Steve Cooper will be expected to make significant changes on his starting line up for the game which will be streamed live on the BBC Digital Platforms (BBC iplayer and BBC Sport website) as part of a weekend of FA Cup coverage which will see all ties being broadcast across a variety of channels as well as those selected for 'normal' TV coverage.

Stevenage go into the game on the back of two successive wins that have lifted them off the bottom of the league tables whilst the Swans have ambitions of Premier League football next season and currently sit 2nd in the Championship off the back of seven points from nine over the Christmas period.

As ever on Planet Swans we will be building up to matchday with our usual pre-match features, highlights, previous meetings and this time around some classic Swans FA cup moments. Add to that we will have all the latest news and views from both camps ahead of the game which, of course, will be played with no crowd present due to the current pandemic situation.

So, as ever, stick with us on Planet Swans as the place to be as we put league priorities to one side for a week to focus on the magic of the FA Cup.

 

[swansnews]

How they got here - Stevenage

Due to the truncated nature of this football season, there are no replays in the competition with games level after 90 minutes heading into extra time and then, if necessary penalties. This was a change from the 1st Round proper with ties before that just being decided on penalties with no extra time if level after 90 minutes.

Teams in the competition will be allowed three substitutes from seven named with a fourth allowed if the game does head into extra time.

Stevenage have progressed to this stage of the competition having won both of their ties on penalties - as we look at below.

FIRST ROUND
STEVENAGE 2-2 CONCORD RANGERS
Stevenage win 5-4 on penalties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JCLkjtcZY4&feature=onebox

Match Report: BBC Sport

National League South side Concord Rangers agonisingly missed out on reaching the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history after they were defeated by Stevenage on penalties following a thrilling draw.

League Two Stevenage settled their nerves by going ahead after 28 minutes through a heavily-deflected shot from Ben Coker following some superb skill down the left by Tom Pett.

But Concord bounced back two minutes before half-time when Jason Raad's superb ball in was helped goalwards by Sam Blackman and Alex Wall made sure from close range.

With 90 minutes not separating the sides, Boro finally edged ahead again eight minutes into extra time when substitute Danny Newton bundled in from Aramide Oteh's cut-back.

The Beach Boys refused to lie down, however, and levelled again three minutes into the second period when Odei Martin headed in Lamar Reynolds' cross from close range.

After Reynolds forced a brilliant save from Jamie Cumming, the tie went to penalties and the Stevenage goalkeeper's save from Tosan Popo at the start of the shoot-out proved pivotal.

SECOND ROUND
STEVENAGE 1-1 HULL CITY
Stevenage win 6-5 on penalties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLXcAfNXNp0&feature=onebox

Match Report: BBC Sport

League Two strugglers Stevenage produced one of the shocks of the FA Cup second round as they beat League One leaders Hull City on penalties.

Chelsea loanee Jamie Cumming was the hero for Boro as he made good saves to deny Tom Eaves and Sean McLoughlin in the shootout.

Eaves had earlier given the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after Martin Samuelson had been felled by Arthur Iontton.

Sub Elliott List finished well to level for the hosts and, after neither side could find a winner in extra time, the game went to penalties where the side 21st in League Two held their nerve.

Hull, beaten FA Cup finalists in 2014, had won their previous six matches in all competitions but their much-changed side never really dominated against an organised Stevenage.

Both teams created chances in an open first half with Remi Oteh forcing a decent save from visiting goalkeeper George Long and Jamie Scott twice forcing Cumming into action.

Eaves' penalty looked like it would be enough for Grant McCann's men but poor defending allowed List to smash home a leveller.

The Tigers took an early advantage in the shootout when Long saved Tom Pett's opening kick but Cumming, who impressed throughout, came out on top to send the hosts into the third round.

 

[swansnews]

LAST TIME OUT
Swansea City 2 Stevenage Borough 1
THE FA Cup Round 2
6th December 2003
The Vetch Field, Swansea

The Planet Swans Match Report
View report here

On a cold day at the Vetch, Swansea made predictably just the one change in their starting line-up although club captain Roberto Martinez was fit enough to take a place on the bench.

Freestone

Duffy O'Leary Iriekpen Howard

Britton Johnrose Robinson

Durkan Nugent Trundle

The game started brightly enough with both sides looking as if they were going to make it a cup spectacle with players prepared to run at defenders. From the off it was evident that Stevenage were to be up for this as they challenged every Swansea player who had the ball although they seemed lacking in the ability to create something themselves. Trundle, Durkan and Robinson all had shots to trouble former Sunderland goalkeeper Perez in the Stevenage goal.

Stevenage though should have taken the lead around fifiteen minutes in when an obvious foul on Izzy was missed and as Swans appealed the visitors played on and a shot just passed the post with Roger well beaten.

At the other end, the Swans were having little joy and Trundle was being beaten to the ball as Stevenage were wise to his tactic of moving backwards for the ball to come to him. But we did take the lead halfway through the first half when Robinson met a ball at the far post and it rebounded off the bar straight to Kevin Nugent who was never going to miss from point blank range.

To be fair from there on in the remainder of the first half passed with little incident. Richard Duffy made one well time tackle just as it looked as if Stevenage would get an equaliser.

The start of the second half suggested a different game though as the tackles flew in and two goals in as many minutes threatened to really light up to what had been up until then a dull game. Stevenage equalised around five minutes into the second half with a well taken header from Elding. But before their celebrations had died down the Swans were back ahead. Lee Trundle was felled in the penalty area and a penalty looked the obvious outcome. The referee waved play on so Trundle simply got up, won the ball back and slid the ball past Perez to put the Swans 2-1 up.

This was cue for Stevenage to lose the plot a little and an off the ball incident between Elding and Duffy saw all players from both sides involved to calm the moment down. Elding was booked - he could easily have received a red card but strangely that was the only administration that the referee thought able to hand out despite all 22 players being involved. Watson followed him into the book three minutes later for a late challenge on Duffy and words were exchanged between the young Swansea full back and barking mad Stevenage manager Graham Westley as Duffy returned to the action.

View attachment Programme.jpg

Just as it looked as if the game was about to boil over it calmed down and again chances became at a premium but in the most fell Swansea's way. Robinson went close before Trundle beat two men in the Stevenage area but his shot was well saved by Perez. Elding believed he had equalised with around ten minutes left but had already been flagged offside and Izzy cleared a shot off the line with Roger already beaten.

But it was Swansea's name which entered the third round draw tomorrow and I'm sure everyone will be crossing their fingers that Number 64 gets a dream draw?

Man of the Match for me? He's come in for some stick over the last seven days, and I have been as guilty as anyone but for me Richard Duffy stood out. He won much in the air and made some well timed challenges. There was no doubt he was being wound up by Elding but he came through it well. Praise as well for Robinson although it was not one of his better games and also for both O'Leary and Izzy. Johnrose is no Martinez in the centre of midfield and two or three times he tried to play his way out of the central defence - against a better side he would have been punished.

The win is there and wonder where we will be on the first weekend of 2004!

View attachment Ticket.jpg

The Swans went onto the 5th Round of the tournament in the same season eventually losing 2-1 at Tranmere having beaten Macclesfield and Preston in Rounds 3 and 4 respectively

View attachment Preston FA Cup.jpg

 

[JackFish]

Can’t believe that cup game was 18 years ago, thanks for making me feel ancient! I guess it was the previous round against Rushden that Kieren Durken scored from about four miles out?

Would change pretty much the whole team for this one although it would be nice to have a cup run again too. No relays this year either.

 

[swansnews]

FA Cup 3rd Round Classic

Swansea City v Liverpool
1990

When the Swans were drawn against Liverpool in the 3rd round of the 1989/90 competition it was easily the biggest draw we could have had. The Reds had won 9 of the previous 13 league titles in England and were the current holders of the FA Cup.

Of course that FA Cup triumph in 1989 - over Merseyside neighbours Everton - was achieved on the backdrop of one of football's darkest days, the day that 96 football fans died at Hillsborough in their semi final the previous April. They had also been denied another league title on a dramatic day in May 1989 when Arsenal scored a stoppage time second at Anfield to steal the championship with just about the last kick of the season.

The Swans had reached the 3rd Round of the competition following an away win over Kidderminster in Round 1 and a home win over Peterborough in Round 2

First round highlights - Kidderminster 2 Swansea 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNk7doSxf9A

6 January 1990
Swansea City 0 Liverpool 0
The Vetch Field, Swansea

View attachment Swans Liverpool Programme.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMzqAivc8pE

More than 16000 packed into the Vetch to watch a gutsy display from the Swans who earned themselves a replay at Anfield thanks to some inspired goalkeeping from Lee Bracey and another impressive display from Andy Melville who was attracting plenty of plaudits of his own at the time.

The Guardian Match Report

View attachment Guardian Report 1990 Home.jpg

Back in those days there was no luxury of 10 days before a FA Cup replay and Swans fans packed outside the Vetch the following morning to secure their tickets for the replay that was to take place on the Tuesday at Anfield.

9 January 1990
Liverpool 8 Swansea City 0
Anfield Stadium, Liverpool



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvHIEh0AuEM

Liverpool were a different class on their home patch, scoring three in the first half and five in the second to drub the Swans 8-0 but there was plenty for the travelling army to enjoy on the evening including one of their own scoring against Bruce Grobbelaar (see the end of this post)

Guardian Match Report

View attachment Guardian Report 1990 Replay.jpg

Goals: Barnes 21′ 43′, Whelan 40′, Rush 53′ 77′ 83′, Beardsley 54′, Nicol 86′

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-v9-hHt96g

View attachment Liverpool ticket.jpg

Liverpool went onto make the semi finals in that season, losing 4-3 in an epic to Crystal Palace whilst they also won the league title.

 

[PSumbler]

Can’t believe that cup game was 18 years ago, thanks for making me feel ancient! I guess it was the previous round against Rushden that Kieren Durken scored from about four miles out?

Would change pretty much the whole team for this one although it would be nice to have a cup run again too. No relays this year either.

Indeed it was - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3233103.stm

 

[MrSwerve]

Sorry to put a downer on things but I've lost any love that I had for the FA Cup...probably because we've been spoilt with top league football for a while. Got to put the kids out for this one. Win or lose, I just want to avoid a replay.

 

[PSumbler]

Sorry to put a downer on things but I've lost any love that I had for the FA Cup...probably because we've been spoilt with top league football for a while. Got to put the kids out for this one. Win or lose, I just want to avoid a replay.

There are no replays in this year's competition

 

[Cooperman]

With no threat of a midweek replay or a league game very soon after I don’t think we will see that much rotation. I expect to see at least seven or eight regulars in the starting XI.

 

[sainthelens]

With no threat of a midweek replay or a league game very soon after I don’t think we will see that much rotation. I expect to see at least seven or eight regulars in the starting XI.

So hope yer wrong buddy. After the Citeh debacle couple of yrs back, my opinion is fck the fa cup, rest as many as possible...no injuries and this year could turn out incredibly. Stevenage won't like chasing the ball and therefore I can see a few of ours getting clobbered .

 

[K23]

With no threat of a midweek replay or a league game very soon after I don’t think we will see that much rotation. I expect to see at least seven or eight regulars in the starting XI.

Really? I would expect quite a few to be rested with 2-3 maybe on the bench. I would expect more like 5 or 6 regulars to start. Mind you, with Naughton & Bennett both out, it limits defender rotation somewhat. Wonder if Cullen will be fit because he should start if he is. There are quite a few who would benefit from some/more game time such as Benda, Manning, Rushesha, Dhanda, Palmer, Garrick and Routs and MGW definitely needs some game time. Maybe even Gyokeres if Cullen is out. But that would be too many to start and the team may lack some cohesion so players like Roberts, Cabango and maybe Fulton or Smith would be among the regular starters to form the basis of the team.

Then again, you may be right!

 

[PSumbler]

With no threat of a midweek replay or a league game very soon after I don’t think we will see that much rotation. I expect to see at least seven or eight regulars in the starting XI.

Really? I would expect quite a few to be rested with 2-3 maybe on the bench. I would expect more like 5 or 6 regulars to start. Mind you, with Naughton & Bennett both out, it limits defender rotation somewhat. Wonder if Cullen will be fit because he should start if he is. There are quite a few who would benefit from some/more game time such as Benda, Manning, Rushesha, Dhanda, Palmer, Garrick and Routs and MGW definitely needs some game time. Maybe even Gyokeres if Cullen is out. But that would be too many to start and the team may lack some cohesion so players like Roberts, Cabango and maybe Fulton or Smith would be among the regular starters to form the basis of the team.

Then again, you may be right!

I think your selections won't be fair off. Almost certain I would say to see MGW playing and the rest of the players you listed should be enough to progress in the competition.

 

[Cooperman]

With no threat of a midweek replay or a league game very soon after I don’t think we will see that much rotation. I expect to see at least seven or eight regulars in the starting XI.

Really? I would expect quite a few to be rested with 2-3 maybe on the bench. I would expect more like 5 or 6 regulars to start. Mind you, with Naughton & Bennett both out, it limits defender rotation somewhat. Wonder if Cullen will be fit because he should start if he is. There are quite a few who would benefit from some/more game time such as Benda, Manning, Rushesha, Dhanda, Palmer, Garrick and Routs and MGW definitely needs some game time. Maybe even Gyokeres if Cullen is out. But that would be too many to start and the team may lack some cohesion so players like Roberts, Cabango and maybe Fulton or Smith would be among the regular starters to form the basis of the team.

Then again, you may be right!

No disagreement with your logic; I’d be doing the same if I was running the show. Cooper on the other hand has shown little desire to give game time to the bench when we’ve been in comfortable game positions.

 

[swansnews]

FA Cup 3rd Round Classic

West Ham United v Swansea City
1999

The Premier League (as it is known today) was formed at the start of the 1992-93 season as a breakaway of the 'top' clubs from the football league and, as most things are in football now, was driven by money with the Big 5 at the time (Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United) creating something that would see TV money distributed only amongst the teams in that division.

By the time the 1998/99 season had come around, the Premiership was growing in popularity (and value) and when the Swans were drawn away to Premiership side West Ham, no side from the lowest division in the Football League had beaten a Premiership side in the FA Cup since its inception. That was until Swansea City created another little bit of football history.

Having arrived in the Third Round with very credible wins over Millwall (3-0) and Stoke (1-0) at the Vetch, the Swans arrived in East London in confident mood backed by - as ever - a vocal support, but expected to exit the competition against their top flight opponents.

02 January 1999
West Ham 1 Swansea 1
Upton Park, London

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyZHR5lIiJA

Attendance: 26,039

View attachment West Ham A Action.jpg

Biographer of Swansea City FC, David Farmer, said that ‘had the Swansea supporters travelled to Upton Park believed all they read in the papers, they would not have bothered to go’. Such opinions from experts however did not put off a small army of loyal supporters with high hopes travelling down to London. Despite being outnumbered, the Swansea fans were able to offer great vocal support which aided their team to unexpectedly outplay their famous opponents. Patriotism and pride was also displayed by the manager John Hollins who carried out his away match habit of placing a Welsh flag in his dugout. Unfortunately for the Swans, a Hammers equaliser that goalkeeper Roger Freestone could have prevented ending up in the back of the net made the score 1-1 at the dying stages cancelling out Jason Smith’s earlier goal and denying them a famous win at Upton Park that their endeavours deserved.

View attachment Smith Scores.jpg

13 January 1999
Swansea City 1 West Ham 0
The Vetch Field, Swansea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oNK1fN5avg)

Attendance: 10,116

As had now become traditional there was a 10 day break for replays in the competition and it was on the night of 13 January 1999 that more than 10,000 crammed into the Vetch to watch that piece of FA Cup history being made.

Providing an abundance of loud Welsh voices, the supporters created an intimidating atmosphere hoping to help carry their team on to a well fought win. Many fervent fans had queued outside the Vetch a week in advance eagerly hoping to get hold of match tickets. On the date of the game the rain had also lashed down upon the pitch all day providing the ingredients for a lively encounter. Harry Redknapp’s West Ham was able to boast a team with a wealth of talented players which included the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and also Swansea born John Hartson. Such big names however counted for nothing that night as Swansea produced another brave team performance and this time overcame the Premiership side.

Both sides played fast paced football that was end to end creating an enthralling cup game. West Ham showed their Premiership qualities early on with Lampard in particular demonstrating his flair. However, it was Swansea midfielder Martin Thomas who was to be the man who made the headlines that night by producing a handful of impressive chances throughout the match, one being an in swinging free kick that rattled against the post. It was Thomas’s next effort though that was able to put the Swans ahead against their London opponents. His goal came on the 29th minute through an outstanding volley from twenty yards out that swerved manically to trick Hammers goalkeeper Shaka Hislop who could do little to recover from his error and palmed the ball into his net.



The entire stadium erupted into a state of euphoria as Swansea demonstrated why the F.A. Cup can be so magic, with minnow clubs being given the opportunity to accomplish the unexpected by overcoming teams considered superior. Extraordinarily, Thomas was able to play despite being in pain from a broken knee cap caused by an earlier challenge. Freestone had to be at his best throughout and was able to make amends for his error at Upton Park by tipping away Neil Ruddock’s vicious shot from outside the box late in the second half to preserve Swansea’s slender lead.

It was a save that Martin Thomas described as ‘the best save’ he had ‘ever seen’ and it brought two Swansea players to their knees in relief while the fans had their hearts in their mouths as they feared a repeat occurrence of the away tie. Despite West Ham’s impressive work rate, they proved unable to break down a Swansea side that had played out of their skins and had defended valiantly to hold on to their lead.

View attachment Hollins.jpg
View attachment Thomas celebrates.jpg

The Swans run in the competition was ended 10 days later when another Premiership side - Derby County - triumphed at the Vetch thanks to a late goal from Kevin Harper but it will always be the name of the Swans that will be in the history books for the win and it will always be remembered as another momentous night under the Vetch Field floodlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6afj6wkBl0

West Ham went onto finish 5th in the Premiership table that season.

 

[swansnews]

LAST TIME OUT FOR STEVENAGE
Stevenage 3 Scunthorpe United 1
Sky Bet League 2
The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage
02 January 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_xZbDLXNQs