It was supposed to be the sixth-round of the FA Cup this weekend, with the BBC set to broadcast Manchester City’s visit to Newcastle United on Saturday and Manchester United’s trip to Norwich on Sunday.
With both games now postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, they have decided to fill the gap in the schedules with a raid on their archives to show highlights of memorable FA Cup sixth round matches from the competition’s illustrious history.
It’s sure to be a popular move amongst supporters desperate for any sort of football action. Last week’s decision to replace Match of the Day with an episode of Mrs Brown’s Boys did not go down well with fans on social media with many suggesting the BBC show some old games or classic MOTD’s from the past.
Well, it looks like ‘aunty’ has been listening, and Ipswich, Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers are all set to feature.
On Saturday, the programme includes Wycombe’s famous giant-killing victory over Leicester City, no doubt concentrating on the tale of Roy Essandoh, who headed a dramatic late winner for the Chairboys. Laurie Sanchez only signed Essandoh after he answered an advertisement placed by the Wycombe boss on Ceefax for a fit, non-cup tied striker in one of the great FA Cup stories.
On Sunday, Ipswich’s dramatic 2-2 draw at holders and soon to be First Division champions Everton takes centre stage alongside Portsmouth shock 1-0 at Old Trafford on their way to lifting the trophy under Harry Redknapp in 2008.
Having watched the Ipswich game on YouTube for research purposes, I hope they show Steve McCall’s tackle that led to his sending off. The challenge was awful but what is noticeable is Barry Davies’ surprise the referee thought it even warranted a straight red!
How times have changed.
Quarter-Final Classics Part One Saturday 16:00
Quarter-Final Classics Part Two Sunday 16:40
Our View
More of this please BBC and indeed all the television companies.
With no live football, fill the airwaves with classic games, documentaries, and anything that might alleviate the boredom for fans stuck at home during these strange and anxious times.
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