Worthington Cup [R]

Rumor has it that Hull-Leicester is being considered to be a televised game because it could be a "giant-killing". Come on Foxes, bring the Cup back to Leicester!

 

less than no chance !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Come on, Harriers. Now that'll be the real giant-killing act.

 

How do we now have a preliminary round?

Same number of teams as before.

 

ipswich got a surprise UEFA cup spot and therefore got a bye to round 4.which messed everything up.

 

The Pilgrims manage to stay in the League and get into the first round of the Cup... but they won't be in either for long.

 

With regards to giant-killings, what about Rushden & Diamonds against Millwall?

 

Good call, American Eagle, I didn't even catch that one the first time I looked at the draw.

 

Well, since I have no idea about the likes of Torquay v. Gillingham, I really can't make an informed decision about every last tie. However, I will offer a few opinions:

Game Most Likely to be a Rout: Mansfield v. Derby County

The Stags have given up nine goals in their last two games to second division opposition. Who will save them against a side only a year removed from the Premiership? Also, half the Mansfield team is on the bench with injuries. (Thank God for MatchTalk on BBC Radio Nottingham on www.socceraudio.com!)

Other games that scream whupping!

Rotherham (Near top of 1st division) v. Carlisle (Near bottom of 3rd), Bradford v. Wrexham, Southend v. Wimbledon

Potential Giant Killings (or at least surprise replays)

Rushden and Diamonds (top of third division) v. Millwall (not so hot in the first)

Also:
Crystal Palace v. Plymouth Argyle (as an American who traces ancestry back to Devon, I have to give some love to Argyle. Also, I like the sharp green and white kits.)

This being only the second round of what many (myself included) have called the Worthnothing Cup, in the whole scheme of things, it's not that big. Then again, what if one of these poor second division teams will money problems (Notts County, perhaps?) can make a run and host an Arsenal? It won't solve things, but maybe it will put a little dent in the problem.

 

Bad news:

The derby match between Watford and Luton Town has unfortunately erupted into violence. The match at Vicarage Road was delayed by 15 minutes by a group of Luton supporters who hopped over an advertisement and invaded the pitch, running to the opposite side and challenging the Watford support. At least one person left on a stretcher. A Luton supporter was reportedly brandishing a corner flag as a weapon. Very unfortunate.

 

No replays in this - although Rushden did win that tie on penalties.

Biggest upset, Cheltenham winning 3-0 at Norwich.

 

Well, I'm sorry that the Luton-Watford tie had to be screwed up by violence. Apparently, the two are big rivals that because of being in different divisions, haven't played each other in a long time. That certainly doesn't condone violence, though.

Let's see. One tie that I thought was a surprise was Wrexham 2, Bradford 1, especially since Wrexham is 16th place in the third division and Bradford 12th place in the first.

Another win for the Third Divison came from Leyton Orient, who beat QPR 3-2 in what was probably a very exciting show at Brisbane Road. The whole business of a potential Leicester giant-killing seemed within grasp when they went to extra time 1-1, but the Foxes put three in to effectively end the match in the next 10 minutes.

I almost got another big surprise, as Plymouth almost beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst, but listening to the end of the Plymouth game on the radio, noticed that Argyle was rather tired towards the end and that probably led to Palace's goal in extra time.

I figured Rushden and Diamonds would be able to pull off the big surprise, and when the game went to penalties, I just had the feeling that the home side wouldn't be denied.

Tomorrow's ties:
Boston Utd. v. Cardiff
Brighton v. Exeter
Coventry v. Colchester
Macclesfield v. Barnsley
Nottingham Forest v. Kidderminster
Preston v. Scunthorpe
Sheffield Wednesday v. Rochdale
Swansea v. Wolverhampton
Swindon v. Wycombe

 

damn...


---
First round results from Sept. 11:

Boston Utd 1_-_5 Cardiff
Brighton 2_-_1 Exeter
Coventry 3_-_0 Colchester
Macclesfield 4_-_1 Barnsley
Nottm Forest 4_-_0 Kidderminster
Preston 2_-_1 Scunthorpe
Sheff Wed 1_-_0 Rochdale
Swansea 2_-_3 Wolverhampton
Swindon 1_-_2 Wycombe

 

Violence at Watford V Luton...

Here are some pictures of violence from the Worthington cup tie between first division Watford and second divison Luton town.