Now the third round is out of the way, the so-called big boys will be hoping that the potential banana skins will be reduced. However, as we all know, shocks can happen at any stage of this competition and the fourth round is no different. Here is a look back at some of the FA Cup’s fourth round shocks.
To look back at famous shocks from round three please click on the following links.
Famous Shocks of the FA Cup Fourth Round
York City 1-0 Arsenal, 1985
Arsenal were handed a very tricky tie in 1985, although they were still odds on favourites to proceed to the next round. The Gunners were not taking any risks and fielded the likes of Viv Anderson, Kenny Sansom, David O’Leary and Charlie Nicholas against their Division Three opponents.
Snow and ice had to be cleared from the pitch on the morning of the game so that the match could go ahead. Looking back Arsenal will wish it hadn’t. Almost 11,000 crammed into Bootham Crescent and they didn’t leave disappointed. York matched their more illustrious opponents and got their reward in the final minute when Keith Houchen was brought down in the penalty area. He took the spot kick himself, scored and sent the Minstermen fans into raptures and the Gunners out of the cup.
Yeovil Town 2-1 Sunderland, 1949
At the time, Sunderland were known as the “Bank of England club” due to the large amounts of money that they spent on players. Sunderland included the likes of Len Shackleton who signed for a then record fee of £20,500. The Black Cats were the overwhelming favourites for this game against non-league Yeovil but their player/manager, Alex Stock, did everything he could to give his men an advantage. For example, Yeovil’s pitch had a famous slope and he refused to let Sunderland train on it prior to the game. His plans worked.
Yeovil began brightly and deservedly went ahead in the 28th minute after a good finish from Alec Stock. Sunderland now realising that they were in a game rallied but could not force an equaliser before half time. Sunderland didn’t take too long in getting back on to level terms after the break as in the 60th minute Jackie Robinson scored with an easy tap in. The game remained level and after 90 minutes, due to post war travel restrictions caused by fuel shortages, the game went into extra time instead of a replay. Both sides battled for a victory in difficult conditions but it was Yeovil who scored the winner two minutes before time to complete a famous victory.
Stoke City 2-3 Blyth Spartans, 1978
Stoke fielded a strong team that included the likes of Howard Kendall, Viv Busby and Garth Crooks. Northern League Blyth Spartans had ex-Sunderland and 1973 FA Cup winner Ron Guthrie in their side. Stoke had been relegated the season before and were struggling to adapt in the second tier of English football. However, Stoke were still huge favourites and they saw this as the perfect game to kick start their season.
Due to terrible weather at the time, the game was called off twice but eventually was played even though the pitch was still in a very poor condition. Blyth got used to the conditions quicker and took the lead on twelve minutes and held on until half-time. Stoke started the second half the brighter and deservedly equalised through Busby. Soon after, they took the lead through Crooks and the home side looked like they were on their way to the next round.
A Ron Guthrie free kick caused big problems for Stoke and Blyth equalised as they appealed for offside. The game looked like it was heading for a replay before the minnows took the lead with only seconds left to play. Terry Johnson hammered the ball past the ‘keeper to put his side into the fifth round and to seal an historic comeback and FA Cup shock.
Chelsea 2-4 Bradford, 2015
Chelsea and their star studded side looked like a sure bet to proceed to the next round. Bradford, having had previous experience of beating top-flight teams in cup competitions, had other ideas and even going behind did not dissuade them.
The Blues put themselves into a commanding position through goals from Gary Cahill and Ramires but Bradford, roared on by 6000 travelling fans, found themselves back in the game just before half-time. Jon Stead’s stunning strike on 41 minutes gave the Bantams hope.
Former Chelsea youth player, Felipe Morais, equalised in the 75th minute and seven minutes later Bradford and were in dreamland as Andy Halliday put them in front for the first time. Chelsea pushed forward but in the 90th minute Bradford broke and substitute Mark Yeates scored to complete one of the biggest upsets and one the best comebacks in FA Cup history.
Norwich City 0-1 Luton Town 2013
Luton Town, then a non-league side, became the first team since 1989 to knock out a top-flight team from the FA Cup. The last team to achieve this was Sutton United when they famously knocked out Coventry City. However, this may go down as a greater upset purely because this game was played in the Premier League club’s own backyard.
Eighty five places separated the two sides at the time and Luton were given little chance even though they had knocked out Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous round. Backed by 4,000 travelling fans, Luton showed that 85 places between sides means little, especially in this famous old competition. They had a game plan and they stuck to it, which kept Norwich’s scoring chances few and far between.
With Norwich getting increasingly frustrated, Luton took their opportunity. With 10 minutes remaining Scott Rendell finished neatly at the near post to put the team into the next round. It may seem like it, but this was no smash and grab win—it was fully deserved.
