James Whittaker
Looks like there’s still some magic left in the FA Cup. Fears that the Commercial teams wouldn’t get any ‘glamour ties’ against Premier opposition because of the new format seem to have been unfounded. Three Commercial teams — Tuff Dogs, MR Onions and Robin Hood — beat First Division opposition this weekend to earn their spot in the last 16. Onions got drawn against North Village, Tuff Dogs got Southampton Rangers and Robin Hood got Colts. So there’s still a chance for the minnows to upset the big boys. Cougars v Dandy Town was the only all Premier clash while Somerset Trojans will face PHC, Somerset Eagles will play Parish, Prospect take on Ireland Rangers and Boulevard are at home against BAA.
Looks like there’s still some magic left in the FA Cup. Fears that the Commercial teams wouldn’t get any ‘glamour ties’ against Premier opposition because of the new format seem to have been unfounded. Three Commercial teams — Tuff Dogs, MR Onions and Robin Hood — beat First Division opposition this weekend to earn their spot in the last 16. Onions got drawn against North Village, Tuff Dogs got Southampton Rangers and Robin Hood got Colts. So there’s still a chance for the minnows to upset the big boys. Cougars v Dandy Town was the only all Premier clash while Somerset Trojans will face PHC, Somerset Eagles will play Parish, Prospect take on Ireland Rangers and Boulevard are at home against BAA.
I think that the real 'magic' of the FA Cup is the possibility of the underdogs going as far as possible in the competition. With the big boys skipping the first two rounds it drastically reduces their chance of being drawn each other and being knocked out in the early rounds. This will in all likelihood result in another (yawn!) cup competition designed for the Premier teams to succeed. Why shouldn't they earn the right to be in this stage like everyone else?
Posted by: wildrover | November 20, 2008 at 10:08 AM