So it’s FA Cup first round and with me living in Northamptonshire it’s a bit of a no brainer which game to attend, Northampton town playing Kettering town for the first time in 35 years, tier 3 versus tier 7 and with this fixture being one of a few local affairs Weston-super-Mare travelling to Bristol Rovers, Charlton Athletic making the short trip across the Dartford Crossing to Southend United to name but a few, this years 1st round has thrown up some fantastic fixtures.
I start my day at the home of Kettering town, Latimer Park where hundreds had gathered to see the team off, a carnival atmosphere with the club laying on face painting a DJ and a number of food outlets.
It’s time! off too Sixfields home of Northampton Town, 1400 poppy supporters on there way.
It was a 17:30 kick off live on the BBC with a fine rain, ensuing conditions were rather wet, However the pitch looked in amazing condition and with a Sixfields packed to the rafters and an electric atmosphere the scene was set for an amazing night of FA Cup football.
So with just a few minutes to kick off, the noise coming from the away end could probably be heard back in Kettering, this truly is what the FA Cup is all about.
The game was afoot! not only an FA Cup match but a local Derby to boot, Northampton drew first blood with a goal unluckily deflected in from the defender, the game continued with both sides having their chances and then began the magic of the FA Cup a wonderfully headed goal to draw the teams level then into extra time, within the first three minutes another wonderfully headed goal put the southern league Premier side into the lead and on course for FA Cup history!
With an heroic rear guard action Kettering fend off the final few onslaughts from Northampton and then after a few nail biting minutes the ref (who I thought had a good game) put the whistle to his mouth and that signalled the start of complete mayhem as celebrations with players, management team and the fans was just amazing, it was just magic!
As somebody of a certain age, I remember when the FA Cup meant so much to everybody, I have found it so sad over the last 20 years witnessing the decline of the FA Cup but experiencing for the first time the FA Cup From a non-league perspective I have to say that magic, that passion, that importance of one of the most iconic cup competitions in the world is still there, at least up until the third round, I would truly encourage fans to take in the FA Cup at a local lower league or non league club, you won’t regret it!
What an experience today travelling with the poppy fans, It took me back to the 70s 80s and 90s when the FA Cup meant so much to so many, so it is onto the second round and a great representation of nonleague in the draw with the likes of Tamworth, Harborough Town, Kettering Town and Gainsborough Trinity to name just a few and with a few more games to go hopefully more non-league names will go into the hat!
THE MAGIC OF THE FA CUP IS STILL ALIVE AND KICKING!
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