by : Colin Illingworth
If any club deserves to win the FA Cup this season it has to be Barnsley. The Championship side have not only beaten last season’s Champions League finalists Liverpool in their own backyard but also former Premier League champions Chelsea at Oakwell.
Simon Davey’s Tykes have produced some magical moments, which will live long in the memory of the Barnsley faithful, and everyone associated with the club is going to enjoy their day out at the New Wembley against Cardiff City on Sunday, but can Barnsley complete the impossible dream by booking their place in the Final? Of course they can!
Blocking their way though is Dave Jones’s Bluebirds who have found some form at a crucial stage in the season. They are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run, which includes their impressive 2-0 win at Middlesbrough in the last round, and haven’t given up hope of bagging a play-off spot. They also have a decent head-to-head record against Barnsley. The Tykes have only won once against their Welsh counterparts in the past five meetings, back in November 2002, so they will go into the game as underdogs, but that’s just the way they like it.
They went to Anfield with nothing to lose and got a remarkable result thanks to a string of world class saves from on-loan goalkeeper Luke Steele and a last-minute winner from Brian Howard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o5RBc4W8A0&feature;=related Then they entertained the millionaires of Chelsea and turned them over as well with Kayode Odejayi writing his name into Barnsley folklore by scoring the only goal of the game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnukgCCi9dU&feature;=related Owen Scrimshaw, vice-chairman of the Barnsley Supporters Trust, thought beating Liverpool was fantastic, but described the win over Chelsea as simply unbelievable.
“When we saw the Chelsea team sheet we feared a big beating, but as the game progressed we felt more and more confident. The reaction at the end of the game though was one of complete euphoria, and was far better than the one at Anfield. Liverpool at least gave us a game, Chelsea were never at the pictures and the realization that we had got to Wembley was amazing.”
Understandably after beating two of the Premiership’s so-called Big Four, Owen, whose favourite Barnsley player of all time is Ronnie Glavin, didn’t fear drawing anyone in the semi-final, however he is concerned that a former Barnsley player could come back to ruin their Final hopes.
“For the biggest threats from Cardiff you’ve got to look towards Stephen McPhail who can dominate a game. He is a superb midfield general who can turn a game with one pass and can command the midfield, whilst at the same time appearing lazy and not interested. He was a player I did not rate very highly at Barnsley until he left and we realised what we missed. I have seen him rip us to pieces since he has been with Cardiff but also seen him be ineffective. Another threat is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. He may be getting on a bit, but he can score big goals and is used to the big stage.”
This season’s FA Cup has produced more shocks than a Stephen King novel and it has been one of the most exciting and open competitions in decades. For the first time in 12 years the world famous trophy will have someone else’s name, other than Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United, engraved on it but not everyone is happy about it. Some people believe the Final will be a huge turn-off for fans but Owen, who is pleased the Luke Steele saga has been resolved, refutes that suggestion claiming the competition has re-discovered its magic.
“It has become the FA Cup of old again. It has re-found the passion and supporters seem genuinely pleased that at last one of the typical big four will not win. Just ask any Barnsley, Cardiff, Portsmouth or West Brom fan, they love it, but we are getting e-mails from all supporters singing the teams praises. I think it has galvanized the wider footballing community again. After all people are talking of the FA Cup again and we are not at the final stage. That has not happened for years.”
Barnsley are currently flirting with the drop in the Championship and have one of the worst away records in the country, but all of that will be forgotten about on Sunday as they aim to reach their first FA Cup Final since winning the competition back in 1912. On that day the Tykes beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 after extra time and a replay in front of 38,555 fans at Bramall Lane, thanks to Harry Tufnell’s late strike. And with the Baggies facing Portsmouth in the other semi-final there is a feeling that history may repeat itself 96 years later, and Owen believes it would be a fitting tribute to one particular Barnsley fan.
“Frank Moore, a Barnsley supporter, died this year aged 102 and was the only Barnsley fan who was alive when the 1912 Final occurred. Perhaps this would be a magnificent tribute to him if it were to occur. It is a possibility and would be a dream.”
Barnsley’s road to Wembley began on January 5 at Oakwell against Blackpool and with 12 minutes left to play it looked as though the Tykes’ cup run was going to be over before it had even begun. David Fox had given the Seasiders the lead in the 32nd minute but Stephen Foster’s cheeky back heel got the Tykes back on level terms and three minutes later the game was turned on its head as Michael Cousin fired in the winner.
