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They talk about the magic of the FA Cup and as we look back on today's “Clash of the Minnows”, as the game has been dubbed, there is no doubt that there was be a bit of an unreal feeling at Wembley stadium earlier today. Both sets of fans could have been forgiven for spending considerable amounts of time pinching themselves and wondering if it was all a dream. For in one of the biggest upsets in modern times, Ipswich, who finished just short of the playoff places in the First Division, faced Crewe who just secured the Division Two title last week.
So how did such an unexpected pair of finalists make it this far – Well let’s take a look and see.
Ipswich Town
The Cup Final is not totally uncharted territory for Ipswich although you have to go back almost 30 years to recall that experience. They lifted this prestigious trophy in their only previous appearance in 1978 during the club’s golden era. The club parted company with manager Joe Royle back in 2003 and replacement Keith Curle recovered from a disastrous first season when the club was almost relegated to take the team to the fringes of the playoffs.
For Ipswich the path to the final started back in January with a 3rd round tie at Sheffield Wednesday. There was little to separate the two teams all season with Wednesday finishing just behind the Tractor Boys in the league on goal difference. This was reflected in the cup-tie and a thrilling encounter ended in a 3-3 draw. The replay was a much tighter affair and it ended scoreless after extra time requiring a penalty shootout to end the stalemate in favour of Ipswich.
The East Anglia club had a great season in the cup competitions and the end of January was a hectic time for them. As well as a full league programme they played Arsenal over two legs in the League Cup Semi Final, losing 3-1 on aggregate. Then at the end of the month they travelled to Huddersfield for the 4th round and returned with a solid 2-0 win.
February saw a visit by Leicester for the 5th round and a late equaliser from Finidi spared their blushes and set up a replay at the Walkers Stadium. Another close game finished 2-2 at the end of normal time but a goal just before the midway point of the extra 30 minutes was enough for Ipswich to go through.
The drama continued in the Quarter Final as they came back from Premier League side West Brom with a 1-1 draw and yet another replay. They turned on the style at Portman Road and a well-deserved 2-0 win took them forward to the Semis. This was their biggest challenge so far as they faced Premiership leaders Liverpool. A very even game remained scoreless until 15 minutes from time when Solis fired the Reds in front. But Ipswich showed great character and less than 5 minutes later Dutch youngster Jordi Hoogstrate, their best player on the day, grabbed an equaliser to send the game into extra time. With a penalty shootout just a few minutes away 21-year-old striker Darren Bent joined the fray from the bench and within seconds he scored a dramatic winner to put his team into the final.
Crewe Alexandria
For long-serving manager Dario Gradi this must rank as the club’s most successful season having captured the Second Division title and making a Cup Final appearance. Crewe’s campaign started in late November with a 1st round tie at Lincoln with the Third Division side being beaten 3-1. The 2nd round took place three weeks later and the trip to Burton Albion, riding high in the Conference, proved to be a tough game. Striker Peter Crouch fired them into a two-goal lead but then had to be withdrawn because of injury. The home side fought back determinedly and three unanswered goals gave them the lead. But Crewe managed to rally and two goals in the final 10 minutes gave them a 4-3 win.
Round 3 in January involved a trip to Luton and a 1-1 draw meant a replay at Gresty Road. A brilliant performance from keeper Tony Warner gave them the platform for a 2-0 win and a 4th round meeting with Notts Forest. Crewe totally outplayed their First Division opponents, gaining an excellent 4-1 win. The 5th round gave them another home tie against Division One opposition and Brighton were sent home on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline. Liberian striker Christopher Wreh was a significant figure in Crewe’s success and he ended the season as the club’s top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions.
They were drawn at home to Cardiff in the Quarter Final and an epic struggle ensued. The two fought a ding-dong battle with the lead changing hands several times before the game ended 3-3. The replay proved to be just as exciting with Crewe being pegged back from a 3-1 lead as the match finished 3-3 after extra time. Crewe held their nerve to win the penalty shootout and a place in the Semi Final.
They played West Ham in the Semi and with the London side struggling in Division One, Gradi’s team outplayed their opponents, recording a 2-1 win that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Once again Wreh was a key player, scoring both of the Crewe goals in the second half.
The Final
Sadly for Gradi and his team, they really failed to do themselves justice on the day and played very poorly. Goalie Tony Warner in particular suffered from a bad case of the jitters and was far from his best. Ipswich went two goals ahead in the first ten minutes and Warner played a part in both goals. He was caught ball-watching for the first goal, electing to leave Hoogstrate’s cross and allowing Spanish striker Pablo to head home. Then shortly afterwards he came to collect a free kick played in by Callum Davidson, failed to claim the ball and striker Dimitrios Papadopoulos made it 2-0.
Crewe fought manfully to get back into the game but their midfield lacked the width to really discomfort their opponents. Ipswich on the other had were having no such problem and Finidi was causing havoc with his powerful running on the right flank. On the half hour he went on yet another strong run, sending in a good cross for Papadopoulos to put his team 3-0 ahead. At this point Crewe looked down and out but five minutes before half time they were handed an opportunity when young midfielder Steve Holmes raced into the area in search of a through ball only for Ipswich keeper Andy Marshall to send him tumbling. Christopher Wreh took responsibility for the penalty and he finished powerfully to the keeper’s left.
Had Crewe been able to reach the break with no further damage then the result may have been different but unfortunately for them they conceded once more before half time. Finidi took off down the wing, beat two players and sent in a teasing cross that Pablo got his head to make it 4-1. The 34-year-old Nigerian winger was a key player for the Tractor Boys and he was clearly relishing the big stage.
The second half was a pretty dull affair as Ipswich looked to close out the game and not give their opponents any hope of a recovery. Chances were scarce but Wreh did force a fine save from Marshall on 66 when he managed to get his shot in from a very tight angle. In stoppage time Crewe did manage a consolation goal when, after a powerful run from midfielder Wade Elliot his resulting shot ricocheted off substitute Chris Makin and past a flat-footed keeper to make the final score 4-2 to Ipswich.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spav:
What do you think are the chances of a real-life FA Cup Final ever occuring without at least one Premier League team in it? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm almost certain there has been at least one final since the war without a top league team, although not since the inception of the Premiership but I could have imagined that tbh.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spav:
What do you think are the chances of a real-life FA Cup Final ever occuring without at least one Premier League team in it? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
i know what you mean, but just wanted to draw your attention to millwall last year. its very rare for no top division teams to be involved but one lower league team isn't quite as rare. dont mean to be pedantic :p
The Magic Of The Cup (A Short Story) 
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