By Jemma Tappenden
January 5 2008

It’s been a day of mixed fortunes for the West Midlands clubs in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. But nonetheless three of our sides will be in the hat for the 4th round draw on Monday afternoon, even if two of them face replays to get there. With Wolves as yet the only definites for round 4, we have a look at the ups and downs of FA cup day.

Albion, who have had some troubles winning on the road this season, face a Charlton Athletic side who have had trouble winning anywhere of late.  But it was the Addicks who got off to a flying start, finding themselves a goal to the good after just two minutes of play.  Chinese International Zheng Zhi put Charlton in front with less than 90 seconds on the clock.  But West Brom equalised in the 34^th minute with what was really their first meaningful attack.  Chris Brunt raced down the left and played in a cross which found the feet of Ishmael Miller, who tucked his shot neatly past goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.  Kiely was perhaps the busiest of the two keepers over the 90 minutes, but regardless the Baggies will be in the hat for the 4^th round draw, and will be confident of sweeping Alan Pardew’s outfit aside on home territory barely a month after their 4-2 victory at the Hawthorns in the league.   

Wolves faced one of three non-league 3^rd round survivors at Molineux in a game Mick McCarthy labelled as “inconceivable to not win”.  But nonetheless, by half time the Molineux men were starring defeat in the face.  Cambridge United brought with them 4,000 fans, all of them ecstatic to see their side go into the lead just before half time.  United’s Scott Rendell scored from the spot after referee Kevin Friend awarded the visitors a penalty when Neil Collins handled in the area.  It was a dubious decision as Collins appeared to be oblivious to the ball, but it was his mistake in the making as his initial poor clearance allowed Cambridge the opportunity to attack.  Wolves blushes were spared by two second half goals, as Michael Kightly made his first appearance since injury.  Kightly scored the first (69 mins) and made the second for Neil Collins (88 mins) to ensure Wolves progression to the next round. 

Birmingham City became one of six Premiership clubs to exit the competition today, falling foul of League One opposition Huddersfield Town.  Blues found themselves behind after just four minutes, Luke Beckett scoring from close range.  Birmingham City grabbed themselves an equaliser in the 19^th minute in a brief moment of Premiership class.  Just as it looked all set to become a replay at St Andrews Huddersfield shocked Blues for a second time, Chris Brandon grabbing an 81^st minute winner for the Terriers and to send Alex McLeish back to the Midlands with a reddened face. 

Another Midlands side facing a replay are Walsall.  3-0 victors over Millwall in the league fixture in December, Saddlers fans had to be content with a no score draw on this occasion.  Injury hit Walsall threw everything at Millwall in the second half, but gaffer Richard Money could only look on in despair as central defenders Paul Robinson and Zak Whitbread thwarted all Walsall’s attacks.  The replay will take place at the New Den a week on Tuesday. 

Aston Villa made an early exit from the cup at the hands of Manchester United for the 4^th time in 7 years.  Villa held out against United for 81 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock from a Ryan Giggs cross.  The reds sealed their victory with just 60 seconds of normal play left.  Wayne Rooney who had started on the bench came on with 20 minutes to go, and placed a superb 20 yard shot past Carson in the Villa goal to make it 2-0 to Man Utd. 

But the fixture that had the most expose this week between Chasetown and Cardiff City ended in heartache for the Staffordshire non-leaguers as their FA Cup adventure came to an end.  Chasetown went a goal up at the Scholars ground in the 17^th minute when Ben Steane’s cross was netted by Cardiff defender Kevin McNaughton.  Despite the early wobble Cardiff soon got back on their feet and eventually grabbed an equaliser in first half injury time when Peter Whittingham curled in a left footed shot.  In the second half Dave Jones’ men took control, and two goals from Ramsey (60 mins) and Parry (73 mins) ended the dream for Charlie Blakemore’s non-league side.

The ups and downs of Midlands sides on cup day

Discussion started by West Brom (IP Logged), 05/01/2008 19:40

West Brom
05/01/2008 19:40

The ups and downs of Midlands sides on cup day

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