On This Day in Football: 5th February

5th February 1913

On 5th February 1913, a significant event unfolded in the world of football when a replay of an FA Cup tie between Manchester City and Sunderland took place at Roker Park. The initial match had been abandoned due to crowd encroachment onto the pitch, a common issue during that era of massive attendances. The replay attracted another capacity crowd, and unfortunately, several spectators were injured, as reported in the national press. Sunderland, who went on to win the League title in the 1912/13 season, were unable to secure the double, as they were defeated by Aston Villa in the FA Cup final. The final, held at Crystal Palace, drew an impressive attendance of 120,081, a figure only surpassed by the 1923 FA Cup final in England.

5th February 1972

Fast forward to 5th February 1972, another memorable moment in FA Cup history occurred. Southern League side Hereford United achieved a remarkable victory over First Division Newcastle United in a Fourth Round FA Cup replay. The match, played on a challenging pitch at Edgar Street, saw Hereford United triumph 2-1. Newcastle initially took the lead in the 82nd minute with a goal from Malcolm Macdonald, despite Hereford’s dominance. However, Ronnie Radford equalised with a stunning 30-yard strike just four minutes from time. During extra time, Ricky George scored the decisive goal, securing Hereford’s victory. This match marked the first time in 23 years that a non-league team had defeated a First Division side in the FA Cup. The game was also significant for commentator John Motson, whose iconic commentary on the match became a defining moment in his career. Motson later reflected on this match as his breakthrough in television commentary, as it demonstrated his ability to handle high-profile matches.