FA Cup Tradition's Continue

Critic's devalue the competition no end but the FA Cup last weekend showed why the competition does matter. The FA Cup was the competition I grew up adoring and watching as a young boy in 1992. A moment that would signify why I would support Liverpool for the rest of my life will always have my affinity towards this great competition. The venue was Highbury, FA Cup Semi-Final - Liverpool vs. Portsmouth.

A young 20 year-old Darren Anderton gave Pompey the lead late in extra-time, until a late dramatic equaliser by Ronnie Whelan from a John Barnes free kick sent the North Bank into delirium and young me flying around the sitting room going banana's. For anyone who can't remember the game here is a video of the goals below:

Just like last weekend's games - I have witnessed Liverpool experience humiliating losses(Barnsley, Blackburn, Bolton, Bristol City, Portsmouth and Reading over the 2 decades since the above) and some excruciating defeats (96, 99 vs. Utd, 2012 vs. Chelsea) to name a few. But it is all part and parcel of a competition that continues to provide moments like these.

Luton Town and Macclesfield Town without doubt provided the most noteworthy scalps, both defeating Championship League leaders Cardiff and fellow Championship side Wolves respectively. Both former League clubs who have fallen on hard times inspired moments there supporters won't forget for a while and showed the spirit of the FA Cup does exist despite the financial disparity.

Brighton knocked out a second-string Newcastle side for the second in a row at the Amex, with a 2-0 win and an opening goal that would grace any goals of month/season contests. The skill by Orlandi to score the opener was nothing short of brilliance. A big club like Newcastle their wait for a win in a competition they sorely covet hurts, a good opportunity wasted in my opinion.

Another notable shock was at the City Ground when newly appointed Nottingham Forest manager Alec McLeish experienced a knock out blow to getting his feet under the table as a struggling Paul Dickov's Oldham Athletic. Coming off the back of removing most of the backroom staff came away with a shock 3-2 win to send McLeish's men crashing out at the first hurdle. For Oldham set-up a glamour tie when Liverpool head to Boundary Park in what is sure to be a banana skin type game if anything is to by after Liverpool's win over non-League Mansfield Town.

Other mentions of the weekend, Robin Van Persie rescued a replay for Manchester United at Upton Park with what can only be described at a world class goal. Fantastic pass from the evergreen Ryan Giggs set Van Persie on his way to West Ham's goal and two touches later it was in the net.

Swansea grabbed a late goal to send their tie to a replay against Arsenal, a cracking goal from Kieron Gibbs had given Arsenal a 2-1 lead with 7 mins to go at the Liberty before Danny Graham struck to snatch a replay at the Emirates.

Eddie Howe's League 2 outfit Bournemouth almost caused a shock at the DW Stadium as they held Wigan to a 1-1 draw. They will bring Roberto Martinez's men back to Dean Court for a replay which will give them a good incentive to cause a shock.

Moving to the 4th Round draw - unusually their isn't a stand-out tie as of yet with replays to be decided. Potentially Stoke vs. Manchester City would be the tie to stand-out for me but with Aston Villa travelling to Millwall which will sure to be a tasty encounter at the New Den. If Leeds can progress a tie with Spurs awaits which would be a throw back to over a decade ago when they clashed in the Premier League would be another tie to watch out for, Birmingham and Lee Clark will have something to say about that however.

All in all it will be interesting to see how the competition pans out over the coming months. Hopefully it will continue to surprise the critics of the competition and keep the traditions intact that made the FA Cup great.

(Hopefully Liverpool can make amends for last season's final defeat!!!)