At a time when cut-throat cynicism and lack of common sense is spreading through top level sport and having a noxious effect akin to the invasive scourge that is Japanese Knotweed – Munster GAA I’m looking at you – at least the FA Cup can always be relied upon to inject a bit of much needed romance to the sporting world.
Even allowing for that though, I doubt even Cecilia Ahern could come up with a plot which included Macclesfield FC taking out the defending holders of the trophy – Crystal Palace – at their first hurdle. Remember, the latter also claimed the Community Shield at the beginning of the current campaign.
Now contrast that with the fact that their conquerors haven’t existed in their current form for that long at all. Mind you, if pedigree can be carried over from one incarnation to the next, the former Macclesfield Town were no strangers to upsetting the apple cart. Especially when under the management of Sammy McElroy.
Admittedly, it would probably be stretching it to term Brighton’s barnstorming of Manchester United a giant killing. Especially at the minute when Renford Rejects would probably and justifiably fancy their chances of getting from Old Trafford. From the viewpoint of the Red Devils, the cup exit basically makes a dead rubber out of the remainder of their season.
Because, in reality, it is highly unlikely that the malfunctioning misfit circus Michael Carrick now has the onerous task of directing will be able to stay in the hunt for a top four spot. Which, apart from making the remainder of this season a pointless drag, won’t exactly have them looking their shiny best for any next potential vict…eh, manager.
However, for those still with a vested interest in football’s grand old competition, the next round of action looks as follows:
Liverpool v Brighton
Stoke City v Fulham
Oxford United v Sunderland
Southampton v Leicester City
Wrexham v Ipswich Town
Arsenal v Wigan
Hull City v Chelsea
Burton Albion v West Ham
Burnley v Mansfield Town
Norwich City v West Brom
Port Vale v Bristol City
Grimsby Town v Wolves
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Manchester City v Salford/Swindon
Macclesfield v Brentford
Birmingham City v Leeds