Imps and U's proving the FA Cup's spirit is alive and well!
The FA Cup, the most famous national cup competition in world football. Most kids grow up dreaming of scoring the winner at Wembley in the Cup Final for their side and climbing up to the Royal Box to receive the famous trophy. Sadly, a lot of Premier League (and some Championship) managers now look at the FA Cup being an unwelcome distraction from the bigger financial benefits of league play and opt to play weakened sides, doing the cup a disservice.
But thankfully two sides still in this year's competition have kept the romance of the cup alive with their giantkilling exploits and for at least one, the fairytale isn't over yet.
National League (more famously known back in the day as the Vauxhall Conference) sides Lincoln City and Sutton United are the lowest ranked sides left in the FA Cup and after a historic result for Lincoln on Saturday, Sutton United will hope to join them in the last 8 when they face Premier League giants Arsenal.
Lincoln City, known as the Imps, have enjoyed a fairytale run to the 5th Round for the first time since Queen Victoria occupied the throne. In the early rounds, which included a win in the 4th qualifying round over Guiseley after a replay, Lincoln defeated Altrincham in Round 1, before knocking out League 1 side Oldham Athletic in the 2nd round. As the rounds went on, Lincoln have stepped up to the challenge and seen off Championship sides Ipswich Town and Brighton and Hove Albion. The club's cup adventure continued on Saturday when they travelled to Turf Moor to face Premiership side Burnley and shocked their more fancied opponents with a last-minute winner from Sean Raggett to reach the Quarter Finals.
Sean Dyche's outfit were favourites, but Lincoln's determination and team spirit saw them overcome the Clarets and become heroes in the city like their 1975-76 team that under the stewardship of the late great Graham Taylor, set a record for most points in the league (74) when matches were played for 2 points.
[caption id="attachment_1991" align="alignleft" width="300"]
A penalty in the 4th Round saw Sutton United knock out Championship side Leeds United[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1990" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Sutton United's most famous cup win (so far) in 1989 against First Division side Coventry City who won the Cup in 1987.[/caption]
London side Sutton United are the lowest ranked side left in the cup. While they have never played in the Football League, they have enjoyed a fine history in the FA Cup, including a famous win over Coventry City in 1989, two years after the Sky Blues had won the Cup.
This season the U's have went a stage further than ever, reaching the last sixteen for the first time and a date with giants Arsenal tonight.
To make their date with the Gunners, Sutton United have knocked out Forest Green Rovers, Dartford, League 2 side Cheltenham in Round 2, AFC Wimbledon in the 3rd round before beating Leeds United at home in the last 32.
With Arsene Wenger under even more pressure than normal after a 5-1 humiliation in midweek at Bayern Munich, it will be interesting to see what side Arsenal play at Gander Green Lane on the 3G pitch. Will the part-timers of Sutton United get to pit their skills against the likes of Sanchez and Ozil, or will Wenger look to use some of his younger players to give them game time? With the Cup being Arsenal's only realistic chance of silverware this season, a strong visiting side should get past Sutton and end their fairytale journey in this year's FA Cup.
[caption id="attachment_1988" align="alignright" width="300"]
Will Arsenal's main man have his shooting boots on at Gander Green Lane tonight to send Arsenal to the last 8?[/caption]