Our incredible statistic of seeing every team score in our FA Cup run is now over as Spurs failed to hit the back of the net in a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Soon after the 5th Round Draw sided Spurs against London rivals Palace, media attention continued to grow for our story. This time our home newspaper the Oxford Mail reported on our journey which started at Marsh Lane. Our run also interested Tottenham who gave us a full page spread in the matchday programme - thanks to both!
The lads were one man short on our trip to the capital as Liam battled through injury. For the first time in our story we took public transport to the match - something that seed to confuse Ben who forgot there were less frequent trains on a Sunday! Still, we made it to the match in time to browse round the merchandise stands outside of White Hart Lane but decided against buying a N17 t-shirt with Andros Townsend on it.
Neither of us had ever visited White Hart Lane before and we were in for a real treat. The stadium is truly beautiful - a mix of the traditional 20th century architecture and modern extensions. The atmosphere is also electric with the chants reverberating around the old ground to send shivers down your spine. I can really understand why Spurs fans were resistant to the new stadium opening in a couple of years time.
The first half started with the passion and speed we have become accustomed to through this year's FA Cup. Spurs were so unlucky to not score with a shot off the line and incredible effort which managed to hit both posts and trickle along the line - but crucially not over. Tottenham were showing the skill that they had done against Colchester and they demonstrated why they are 2nd in the league. Son particularly impressed us with his pace and trickery which so nearly gave Spurs the lead.
But it was Palace who would get the opening goal with a beautiful strike from right back Martin Kelly to send the Palace fans into raptures just before the half time whistle. Were we about to see our third upset of the FA Cup? But there was a long way to go and stupidly Dave went on Twitter claiming that there would definitely be more goals in the second half!
— FA Cup Story (@FACupStory) February 21, 2016
Tottenham were as bad in the second half as they were good in the first. Long balls went astray, the final pass lacked quality and corners failed to make it past the first man. The only joy the Spurs fans had in the second half was seeing villain Emmanuel Adebayor fail as a footballer throughout the game. The ex Arsenal and Tottenham striker showed as much passion as a teaspoon and the teaspoon probably had a better first touch! The biggest cheer of the game from the Tottenham fans came when Danny Rose nutmegged Adebayor - it was worth the ticket price alone.
Without a clear cut chance in the second half for Spurs, Crystal Palace deserved their win. They have very little else to play for this season with their Premier League status almost guaranteed - surely a trip to Wembley will be high on Alan Pardew's wish list.
His dreams will have been strengthened after the FA Cup draw. The Premier league side have been drawn against Championship strugglers Reading. Can Palace fans start dreaming of a day out to Wembley? You would think so.
The draw for us is also perfect. Dave has great links with Reading having worked for Reading FC Women so there maybe split allegiances. Also Reading is only an hour away from Oxford which will come as a welcomed treat to the lads wallets after an expensive day out in the capital - bloody Cockneys charging £5 for a burger!
BREAKING: #CPFC have been drawn away to Reading in the quarter finals of the FA Cup! pic.twitter.com/eRQU8ikDUX— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) February 21, 2016
On the journey home to Oxford, realisation kicked in that there was only three more matches in this years FA Cup! What's more with both the semi final and final taking place at Wembley we only have one more match ground-hopping. It's a sad thought after being with this competition from September 2015. Let's hope the next three games are crackers to really put the icing on the cake for what has been an amazing journey.
Come on Palace, bring home the cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment