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

[swansnews]

LAST TIME OUT FOR SWANSEA
Swansea 2 Watford 1
Sky Bet Championship
The Liberty Stadium, Swansea
02 January 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc6K7jjGarQ

 

[sainthelens]

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

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.

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.

Thomas Scores.jpg

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.

Hollins.jpg
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.

What's David Farmer on about...a small army of fans at Upton park. I was there along with 3k others. Was not small believe me.

 

[airedale]

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

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.

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.

Thomas Scores.jpg

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.

Hollins.jpg
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.

What's David Farmer on about...a small army of fans at Upton park. I was there along with 3k others. Was not small believe me.

The US army comprises 1.5 million, that’s a large army. Belgium has got 8,500 in their [land] army, that’s a small army. That’s what he’s getting at I reckon.

 

[swansnews]

What do we know about Stevenage FC

View attachment Badge 2.png

I am sure that many Swans fans will know very little about Stevenage FC. With the Swans having just played them twice in competitive games (and never in league football) it feels worthwhile delving into the history books and telling you a little about our opponents on Saturday, this is Stevenage FC and their Lamex Stadium ground.

Stevenage Borough (as they were known until 2010) was formed in 1976 following the demise of the town's former club, Stevenage Athletic. Their opening games under their new guise were played in the Chiltern Youth league on a roped-off pitch at the town's King George V playing fields after the local council sold their Broadhall Way ground to a property businessman who dug a trench through the pitch to prevent football being played on it.

It was four years before the council reacquired the lease for the land and the club moved back to their original ground, a ground that they still occupy to this day (more about that later)

In 1980 they joined the United Counties League and win the division one and league cup in their first year in the competition. By 1984 they had joined Division Two North of the Isthmian League and won promotion the following season before relegation in 1987.

In 1990 they appointed Paul Fairclough as manager which sparked a fantastic run of success, winning the Division Two title in 1990/91, amassing 107 points out of a possible 126 and scoring 122 goals into the process. The following league they won the Isthmian League Division One title and then followed that with the Premier Division title two seasons later - 3 promotions in 4 seasons had taken them into the Football Conference and just one step from the football league.

In 1995/6 they secured that step to the football league by winning the conference only to see their promotion taken off them due to insufficient ground facilities which allowed Torquay to stay in the football league at their expense. In the same season they had reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time.

View attachment Newcastle Stev.jpg

It was the start of some good FA Cup runs for Borough, who reached the third round in 96/97 (they lost to Birmingham) and the Fourth Round the following season where they took Premier League Newcastle to a replay after drawing the home game.

In 2001/2 they were the runners up in the FA Trophy, reaching the final for the first time but losing to Yeovil at Villa Park.

A losing play off final appearance in 2004/5 saw them come close again to reaching the football league and in 2007 they were the first side to win a competitive final at the new Wembley when they beat Kidderminster in the FA Trophy final in front of an incredible 53,000 crowd.

View attachment Stevenage Conference.jpg

Promotion to the football league was finally achieved in 2010 when they finished 11 points clear at the top of the conference and reached a third trophy final in four years into the process. A rebrand of the club was almost instant and the word 'Borough' was dropped from their name as they entered the Football League.

Their league success was instant and they won a second successive promotion the following May when they beat Torquay at Old Trafford (two days before the Swans won their own play off final at Wembley) - they had also reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in their debut season in the league and they also managed to beat Newcastle this time on the way to the fourth round.



A third promotion was denied as they missed out in the semi finals of the League One play offs in 2012 (to Sheffield United) but they had reached the 5th Round of the FA Cup for the first time - losing out to Spurs in a replay.

That was the high point though for Stevenage and changes in transfer policies, the break up of their side and some managerial changes meant that they were relegated two years later to the basement division. A play off semi final defeat followed the next season and they have remained in League Two since.

When the 2019/20 season was suspended due to the COVID pandemic, Stevenage were bottom of the football league and EFL clubs voted on 9 June to end the season early. However, "ongoing disciplinary matters" involving Macclesfield (they had not paid their players on six occasions) meant Stevenage may be reprieved from their relegation. Stevenage were formally relegated from the league on 19 June but reinstated on 11 August when Macclesfield's four point suspension was applied to the 19/20 season and it was Macclesfield who were relegated whilst Stevenage stayed in the football league.

The Lamex Stadium

Stadium information taken from the official Stevenage website here

The Lamex Stadium contains four stands

• The West Stand is an all-seater stand which holds 1,800 fans as well as housing the executive hospitality boxes, press areas, tunnel and of course changing rooms. The club shop and ticket office are also located on the outside of this stand.

• Located behind the goal at the north end of the ground, the North Terrace is currently the smallest stand with a capacity of 600 and offers a superb end-to-end view of the pitch. This stand also houses the only disabled enclosure which has space for 12 wheelchair users and a carer each

• Running the full length of the pitch, the East Terrace can hold approximately 2,700 standing spectators. Offering a real distinctive atmosphere, the East Terrace is home to some of our more vocal fans who lead the singing, dancing and banging of drums. It also houses the TV gantry so if you’re watching highlights, you’ll see the action from this same view.

• The South Stand is the newest stand at the stadium and is allocated to visiting away fans. Built in 2001, this all-seated stand is behind the goal at the south end of the ground and has a capacity of 1,390.

Total capacity of the ground is 7,800

Over the years the stadium has also been used for a number of other high profile fixtures.

Since 2014 the Spurs U21 side has played a number of its Barclays U21 Premier League and U21 Premier League Cup fixtures at The Lamex, with the Spurs U18s also playing its home FA Youth Cup ties at Stevenage.

In previous years The Lamex Stadium has also been home to Spurs Reserves, a number of Conference South playoffs and international fixtures for various England teams. Most recently, the FA Womens Premier League Cup Final was played at the Lamex Stadium.

 

[Evanski]

The West Ham away game was class. I remember Stuart Roberts tearing Julian Dicks a new one all game, and outplaying the much vaunted Joe Cole who made his professional debut off the bench. I went arse over tit into the row in front when Smith scored.

 

[swansnews]

Meet the Ref

View attachment Salisbury.jpg

Saturday's referee is Michael Salisbury

Michael Salisbury will take charge of the Swans tie at Stevenage on Saturday.

His Championship record so far this season has seen him take charge of 7 games, handing out 15 yellow cards and 1 red card during those matches. His only previous game with the whistle for the Swans was last season's League Cup tie against Cambridge at the Liberty, a game that the Swans won 6-0 (is that a good omen?)

He has also officiated a Stevenage FA Cup tie before - in 2017 when they played Nantwich and won 5-0 and he has also taken charge of three league fixtures for them but none since 2018 when they lost a League Two game against Coventry.

Michael began his refereeing career in 2001 on the local leagues in Preston thanks to the influence of his father Graham, who is a current EFL referee. He also refereed the League Two play off final in 2020 that was won by Northampton Town - he sent off Exeter defender Dean Moxey.

The two Assistant Referees are Nigel Lugg & David Hunt with the fourth official being Charles Breakspear

View attachment Referee 2.jpg

 

[JackSomething]

The West Ham away game was class. I remember Stuart Roberts tearing Julian Dicks a new one all game, and outplaying the much vaunted Joe Cole who made his professional debut off the bench. I went arse over tit into the row in front when Smith scored.

I was 18 at the time and in Uni, so not a regular at Swans games at the time, but I was at the first game. I'd have to check with my old man why, but he and I were in with the home fans (it that was when AXA were sponsoring the FA Cup then that may have been why, as the old man was in insurance)

We did the sensible thing when in with the home fans of keeping our heads down, but unsurprisingly our accents were noted. To my surprise, the West Ham fans around us were great and very welcoming. They were full of praise for us and especially Stuart Roberts, who as you noted was brilliant that day.

I couldn't make the replay for some reason and the old man took great delight in describing what I'd missed. :lol:

 

[swansnews]

FA Cup 3rd Round Classic

Sheffield United v Swansea City
2007

Even before the Swans had go to the 3rd Round, the 2006/7 campaign had been an interesting one for us. The First Round saw us drawn away with a short trip up the M4 to Newport which was 'eventful' to say the least. The Swans were 2-0 up inside half hour thanks to Trundle and Iriekpen before Peter Beadle (the Newport manager) was sent off and a coin aimed from the crowd struck the assistant official who ended up spending the night in hospital. Newport and Beadle were charged and fined but it was the Swans who progressed to a second round tie against Darlington.

FIRST ROUND HIGHLIGHTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iZWuVAiz6Q

The second Round saw us travel into the North East where we overcame Darlington 3-1 to progress to the 3rd Round.

SECOND ROUND HIGHLIGHTS (From around 1:00 onwards)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgTF6Q8YmjI

06 January 2007
Sheffield United 0 Swansea City 3
Bramall Lane, Sheffield

The Swans went into the 3rd Round at Bramall Lane missing some key players, most notably Lee Trundle (suspension) and Andy Robinson (injury) but three goals in 15 second half minutes created one of the shocks of the year's competition as Kenny Jackett.

The home side were facing a relegation battle from the Premiership and were 16th in the league when they went into the game and Neil Warnock opted to make changes of his own for the match as more than 4,500 Jacks made the trip to South Yorkshire to back the team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFPtb4xRZLI

The Planet Swans Match Report

The magic of the FA Cup. Some say that it has lost the magic that it used to have but you try telling that to the 4,500 plus Jacks that made the trip to Sheffield today. To hear those Jacks in full voice after their side humbled a Premiership team in their own back yard tells you that the magic of the FA Cup is very much alive. Well it is in Swansea at this moment in time anyway.

I suspect that there were a few disappointed faces when the name of Sheffield United was drawn to play the Swans but as we take our place in the fourth round of the competition, I suspect that there were even less people who could have predicted that we would leave Sheffield with a three goal victory into the bargain.

The onsite bookies coupons had a 3-0 Swansea win priced at 100-1 and Tom Butler was 33-1 to score the first goal of the game. Now imagine pairing those two together on a nice scorecast. Hands up if you did it. I know I didn't!

And I guess if you factored in the loss of Trundle, Pratley, Craney, Robinson, Painter and anyone else you care to mention then you would probably have said that those 100-1 odds may have been just a little bit on the tight side. But hey, bookies are wrong from time to time - especially on occasions like today.

So who did Jackett send out of his walking wounded? As reported beforehand, Robinson and Painter both missed out leaving us with fewer options again then we would have hoped and although the line up screamed 4-4-2 it appeared to turn rapidly into a 4-5-1 with Bayo ploughing a sole presence up front - and a very effective one at that

Big Willy

Amankwaah Lawrence Austin Williams

Britts KOL Rory Tatey Lord Tom Of Swansea

Bayo

Subs: Izzy, Watt, Jones and two more whose names escape me

I shall say at the very front end of this report that I have not yet seen the goals back so what I talk about will be from what I remember - there are newspapers if you want more accurate reporting (!)

Anyway, it could have been a dream start with Fallon forcing a very early save from Gerrard in the Blades goal. It was a good move, a neat shot but just not to be for Rory. I say a dream start I suppose the dream start was the travelling Jack Army completely drowning out the rendition of "greasy chip butty" - how many times has that happened at the Lane in recent years?

That aside, Swansea were very much on a par with the Blades in the first half and in truth other than one save at Hurst's feet there was little for Willy to do - and other than Fallon's early shot there was little for Gerrard to do. Butler had a free kick deflected just over and we were forced into a change when Izzy came on for the injured Amankwaah

View attachment Butler Scores 2.jpg

With a goal less first half, the Swans were halfway to my prediction of a replay at the Liberty but I don't think anyone envisaged what we would produce in the second forty five minutes. The indications were there when Butler forced a neat save from Gerrard early on and the Blades themselves had a couple of half chances that they failed to convert.

And then came the first moment that we wanted. Britts sent KOL free on the right wing - his low cross was well met by Bayo who saw his half effort scrambled away but only as far as Butler who drilled a low shot under Gerrard into the back of the net. Complete bedlam in the Swansea end - we led at Bramall Lane.

And whilst we maybe fancied holding onto that the players wanted more. Another ball into the box, more nuisance from Bayo and again Butler drilled home under Gerrard. 2-0 - this was fantasy stuff

The Blades were beaten by this point and the Swans got the space we probably never expected on the day. Butler burst into the box and was upended - penalty said D'Urso leaving the cue for three or four of ours to argue over who was taking it. Britton drew the short card (what a surprise!) and beat Gerrard with ease with his penalty. It was three frigging nil and I don't think we had broken sweat by this point. Well, we had by it honestly didn't seem that way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9H54Mvc0Wk

The remaining half hour pretty much passed in a motion of endless singing from the Jack end - a couple of half chances more but the work had been done and on Monday it is the name of Swansea City that will be drawn in the fourth round whilst Sheffield United will embark on trying to secure their Premiership safety.

A fantastic game, a fantastic performance in front of some fantastic fans. Its days like this that make you realise why you are a football fan.

WHO ARE WE?

View attachment Butler scores.jpg

Swans manager Kenny Jackett:

Our commitment is always good, we have a good bunch of players, they are whole-hearted with a strong desire to do well,

We've got a long way to go in both Cup and League this season and perhaps set some standards today

Some 5000 supporters followed us here and made a hell of a lot of noise which really helped us

Two goal hero Tom Butler:

It was fantastic to come to Bramall Lane, play Premiership opposition and get a result.

Personally I was delighted to get the two goals, but we pushed on to get the third as well.

We started off with a new 4-1-4-1 formation and it worked quite well against them, their full-backs were pushed right on and when we got the ball and broke we caused a lot of problems.

View attachment Celebrate Sheffield.jpg

Blades manager Neil Warnock:

We were quite humiliated in the second half.

I have no regrets about leaving a few out because they had little injuries and struggled with tiredness and we did have a couple of suspensions.

But certain things happened in the second half that make me feel embarrassed to be a supporter and that doesn't happen very often.

I feel disappointed and let down by players who should have been good enough to give a decent account of themselves against Swansea.

Players whose careers I have resurrected have let me down, with only one or two of them giving their all to the end.

View attachment Fans Sheffield.jpg

The Swans involvement in that season's competition ended in the next round with a defeat at Ipswich whilst the Blades were relegated from the Premier League on the last day amongst controversy after Carlos Tevez scored the goal to keep Man Utd out before it was found out he was ineligible to play. An arbitration panel found in favour of Sheffield United but the relegation stood and the two teams settled out of court. It would be 12 years before they returned to the Premier League when they won promotion in 2018/19.

 

[Fireboy]

The ref was my eldests (who is a fellow jack) PE teacher so I fully expect him to help us out

 

[JoshTheJack]

The ref was my eldests (who is a fellow jack) PE teacher so I fully expect him to help us out

If we win 1-0 with a 90th min dodgy pen i'd delete your post. :lol:

 

[swansnews]

Stevenage make triple signing

Source: Stevenage Official Site

Stevenage Football Club has strengthened its squad today with the signings of Chris Lines, Matty Stevens and Luke Norris...

Chris Lines joins from Northampton on a permanent deal until the end of the season. The 35 year old is a seasoned central midfielder with over 450 games under his belt. At 6ft 2in he brings composure, quality and experience to the squad.

Matty Stevens, 22, started his pro career at Barnet, before being signed by Peterborough. The striker moved to Forest Green in July 2019 for an undisclosed fee and joins Boro on loan until the end of the season.

Luke Norris joins from Colchester United after joining them in 2018 from Swindon for an undisclosed fee. The 27 year old striker has made over 300 appearances and signs on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

Chairman Phil Wallace said, "We are pleased with these first three additions early in the window and they allow us to settle down and be patient over the next one or two incomings. The management know where they want to strengthen but sometimes you have to wait for the right opportunity.

"At the moment things are definitely going in the right direction. I believe we are starting to see the benefits of the hard work and planning coming through in the results lately and we are very positive about our targets and ambitions for 2021."

Lines and Norris would both be eligible to play on Saturday, Stevens is cup-tied

 

[swan65split]

My memory of the WHU home game is being at the players entrance as the WHU coach arrives and seeing that ginger bathplug laughing like heck at the entrance, hope he learnt a lesson that day.

 

[Squarebear]

I assumed Cooper was being recalled for this game but just realised he's cup-tied.

 

[swansnews]

FA Cup 3rd Round Classic

Havant and Waterlooville
2008



There are no rules that say a FA Cup classic needs to see a Swansea victory and whilst we have been on the right end of a cup shock we have had too many occasions in the past where we have been on the wrong end of one as well.

Today, we look at one of those occasions when the reward of a trip to Anfield for the winners turned into a nightmare for the Swans as we crashed out of the competition to non league opposition.

The Swans had arrived in the third round on the back of two games against non league opposition but the warning signs had been there that Roberto Martinez' League One leaders were seen as a good scalp in the competition.

The First Round of the competition saw us drawn away in Essex with a trip to Billericay. And even on that afternoon in November, there was a shock in store with the Swans losing at half time but a second half double - including a winner 7 minutes from time - was enough to send us into Round 2 with praise for the home side from Martinez "At half-time I wanted character and a reaction from my team. A few players had not played before in the FA Cup, in this kind of environment, and had found it difficult to know what was required. In the second half, we competed. But Billericay were fantastic" he said after the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ3LuYV5Sj8

Horsham was our venue for the second round and a Friday night tie looked to have been overcome until a later penalty decision was given in favour of our non league hosts and they converted to earn themselves a replay back at the Liberty Stadium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMqG5i7NqFc

If the Swans had scares before in the competition they were not learning from them and in front of a Liberty crowd they were stunned not just once but twice as Horsham went 1-0 and 2-1 up inside the first 25 minutes of the game, the second after capitalising on one of the most comedic moments from a goalkeeper ever seen at the Liberty.

In the end though it was the League One style that we were showing that shone through with the Swans 4-2 up at half time and scoring twice more in the second half to complete what looked a comprehensive win but not without a worry as reflected by Martinez once again "You could see how much the magic of the cup can give you a little boost and I think Horsham were fantastic, but I'm proud of my players, they did a professional job."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzVCis-IaLI&t=2361s

5 January 2008
Swansea 1 Havant and Waterlooville 1

So after two potential scares against non league opposition it was with some trepidation that we entertained Havant and Waterlooville in the 3rd Round at the Liberty but surely now lessons would have been learned.

View attachment Havant H Red.jpg

And it seemed that way as a largely one sided game saw the Swans eventually take the lead from a Robinson free kick (after hitting the bar three times) and the game exploded after Poate's two-footed lunge on Orlandi crossed the line deservedly earned a straight red card in the 79th minute.

The incident sparked an angry clash between both sets of players with Alan Tate also getting his marching orders. As the game dwindled towards its close

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3s7LAJ7taI



16 January 2008
Havant and Waterlooville 4 Swansea 2

The rewards were known as we headed off for the replay with the prize for the winners an away tie at Anfield against Liverpool. Surely this was a prize that awaited the Swans?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FnKn3YEPxo

Any hopes of planning that trip to the North West were damaged early on with a 4th minute own goal from Garry Monk giving the hosts an early lead but that was merely the start as they found themselves 3-0 up after 37 minutes. The Swans were their own worst enemies at this point with defensive calamities and uncertainty giving the hosts all the opportunities they needed.

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Bauza and Scotland pulled goals back either side of a missed Britton penalty and the Swans were guilty of wasting clear chances to keep themselves in the competition but more defensive frailties saw the home side score a 4th and secure their place in the next round

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FnKn3YEPxo

Roberto Martinez after the game:

To give a 3-0 lead is something that shouldn't happen.

Sometimes you feel football has got some destiny in it and it doesn't matter what you do, you get punished and in that respect, there are many, many things that are disappointing.

We really lost this tie at home when we created 24 chances and only scored one goal.

But I can guarantee you we are going to bounce back and respond in the right way.

Havant and Waterlooville manager Shaun Gale:

It's an unbelievable feeling, I'm lost for words, my players were fantastic and I'm proud of them. This is the best moment in my footballing life as a player or in the short time I've been a manager.

The players gave it their all, their desire and will to win was amazing.

As a reward for beating Swansea and making the fourth round, Havant were promised an end-of-season holiday to Las Vegas.

Robert's Swans were good to their word and put the disappointment behind them by winning the League One title by some distance and gaining promotion to the Championship.

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For Havant, their FA Cup journey ended - as was expected - at Liverpool but not before they gave them a scare of their own by twice taking the lead in the game at Anfield. They eventually lost 5-2 to end a classic non league FA Cup run

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[swansnews]

FA Cup 3rd Round Classic

Manchester United
2014

View attachment Man Utd Programme.jpg

When we were a side in the lower divisions the dreams of drawing a Premier League club in the competition were strong but often unfulfilled. When the draw was made for the 2013/14 competition 3rd Round though, for the second season the Swans were drawn against one of the Premier League "big guns" in Manchester United.

Twelve months earlier it had been Arsenal who got through after a replay against the Swans.

The Swans were, at this stage, the holders of the Capital One Cup, in the middle of a Europa League campaign and were also due to go to Old Trafford the following weekend for a Premier League fixture.

It was also the first FA Cup tie for Manchester United in the post Alex Ferguson era as David Moyes prepared his side for the cup tie.

Saturday 05 January 2014
Manchester United 1 Swansea City 2
Old Trafford, Manchester

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2at0BFJbf9k

MATCH REPORT - BBC SPORT

Swansea won for the first time in their history at Old Trafford as Wilfried Bony's 90th minute winner knocked 10-man Manchester United out of the FA Cup.

The Ivory Coast striker, who had caused anxiety in the United defence for most of the game, headed in Wayne Routledge's cross to book a fourth-round spot against Birmingham, Bristol Rovers or Crawley Town.

The game looked like it was heading for a replay as the hosts held on following Fabio Da Silva's red card 10 minutes from the end after he had scythed down Jose Canas.

But Bony's strike ended a run of seven games without a win for the Swans, who had opened the scoring early on through Routledge before Javier Hernandez's equaliser.

It marked a second consecutive defeat for David Moyes's side, who also lost against Tottenham on New Year's Day. They have lost five times at home this season, including four of their last six at Old Trafford.

Moyes's gamble to pick a second-string team failed badly, but he was without the injured Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney before kick off and his side paid for wasting several good chances in the first half.

There will also be concern for Rio Ferdinand, who left the field with a knee injury before being replaced by Fabio. The Brazilian lasted only four minutes before he was sent off.

View attachment Man Utd Player Off.jpg

United last won the FA Cup in 2004 but that wait must continue with the focus now on Tuesday's first leg of the Capital One Cup against Sunderland as Moyes attempts to salvage some silverware in his first season in charge.

The only certain thing about Swansea's fourth-round tie is that it is away from home as they go searching for their first FA Cup to add to their Capital One Cup success last year.

Bristol Rovers are yet to complete their second-round tie, with Birmingham lying in wait in the third round before they meet the Swans.

Although United made a positive start with Hernandez missing a great chance after a neat one-two between Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa, the hosts went behind to a relatively simple goal.

Alejandro Pozuelo, who replaced the injured Pablo Hernandez, collected Bony's knock-back and his through ball found Routledge to lob over Anders Lindegaard after 12 minutes.

The lead only lasted four minutes, though, as Hernandez found his goal-scoring touch with a poked finish from close range after Alex Buttner's curling left-wing cross.

Moyes's side continued to create the better opportunities, but although they went close through Antonio Valencia and Buttner, Swansea weaved clever passing patterns in midfield behind the physical presence of Bony.

Ferdinand, who played his first game since 10 December, and fellow centre-back Jonny Evans had to be smart to block another Routledge effort as Swansea appeared after the break with more gusto. Pozuelo and Bony were also off-target.

With United appearing to lose their momentum, Moyes introduced Adnan Januzaj after the hour mark, but the youngster could not add any zip and matters were made worse when Fabio was sent off for a reckless challenge on Canas only four minutes after replacing the injured Ferdinand.

And the nightmare evening was complete when Bony's header sent the visiting fans into raptures and they will relish the trip back to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

View attachment Man U Bony Scores.jpg

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup

The only thing that makes it special for me is I know how special it is for the fans and players

But for me, I always said I'd rather win against Crystal Palace or West Ham or Stoke or Norwich or a side who are on more or less the same points as us.

For me it's great because it's great for the players and the fans but if you ask me separately just for me, no, nothing special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q4d4Mpwi2E

Manchester United David Moyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhVlZiA-mbc

View attachment Man Utd out.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtCM-crUGVM

The following week the Swans were beaten 2-0 in the Premier League on the same ground before being knocked out of the Europa League the following month against Napoli after a change in management saw Garry Monk take charge after the sacking of Michael Laudrup.

Manchester United made their own change of manager in the April when David Moyes, hand picked by Alex Ferguson to be his successor, was sacked after just 10 months in charge and after they were knocked out of the Champions League and a semi final League Cup defeat to Sunderland. They also missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 18 years.

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