Harty on the Albion and the FA Cup

Mumblings among the support might have had people thinking that Gus Poyet would have put out a weakened side against the Cards.

Well, although the larger clubs use it as a squad competition, I was still under the impression that it was against the rules to put out an apparent weakened side. Besides, Gus Poyet is a winner, be it football, marbles or karaoke, so it wouldn’t have even entered his mind to put out anything less than a team intent on winning.

Having said that, Woking came with a game plan and played out of their skins and fully deserved the draw, but, as I said, with the form the Albion have been enjoying, there was always going to be a blip.

But with the second-round draw throwing up a potential intriguing home tie against FC United of Manchester, a team formed as part of a protest against the Glazier family, who own Manchester United, the Seagulls travel to Kingfield on Tuesday with a real chance of getting through to the third round and drawing a really big fish, either on the road or at the Withdean.

Returning to Surrey on Tuesday evokes memories of a second-round cup replay there 18 years ago. Back then, both teams went into the game knowing a home third-round tie against Portsmouth was up for grabs.

The Albion ran out victors that night, courtesy of a rather fortunate winner from John Crumplin, and went on to beat Pompey 1-0 in a thrilling game and perhaps the last great cup tie at the Goldstone.

The velvet bag for the fourth round certainly didn’t disappoint as the Albion, with a fleet of 19 supporters’ coaches, travelled to Old Trafford to take on Fergie, Cantona and co and gave a spirited performance before going down 1-0.

In fact, the Albion also played United in the League Cup in October that year and a young, fresh-faced teenager made his debut for the Reds at the Goldstone, a certain David Beckham; whatever happened to him?

Before the cup replay, it’s back to league action with the long trip to Hartlepool – the town that once hanged a monkey for being a French spy.

If the Albion do return to winning ways, it will set a new club record for the best start to a season going back almost 90 years.

And, even before the club head north, at the time of writing this I’m hours away from my tour of the Amex Stadium, no longer referred to as Falmer due to contractual obligations, featured on “Hart of the Matter” which can be found on the Seagulls player channel on the club website.

And, two quick notes before I sign off, I hope that all our young footballers when they observe the customary minute’s silence this weekend, try to appreciate what those brave men and women gave up all those years ago in order for us all to enjoy the lives we do now. And, next week, I will be bringing news of the retirement from local football of one of the most colourful characters.