19 February 2006
VIDEO PREVIEW: Newcastle United v Southampton

Michael Chopra and Scott Parker saw Newcastle through to the Fifth Round where Southampton stand in their way.

Newcastle United v Southampton
FA Cup Fifth Round
5.40pm, Saturday 18 February 2006
St James' Park
Winning club receives £120,000
£265,000 television payment for each club



The Road to Glory has arrived at St James’ Park, where Newcastle face Southampton on Saturday, but our trail of the FA Cup all started on a sunny day back in August, when the competition’s first all-Asian team, Sporting Bengal, were in action.

The team from Tower Hamlets (pictured below), east London, bowed out of the competition in the Extra Preliminary Round, when they proudly took on Ware but lost 3-0.

We followed Ware to Northampton Spencer, who proved too good for the Hertfordshire side in the Preliminary Round proper however, and Ware were defeated 4-2 at home in late August.

The First Qualifying Round featured one of the more familiar FA Cup names in Aylesbury United, famous for their run to the Third Round Proper in 1995 and their ‘duck walk’ team celebration.

They defeated Northampton Spencer away from home and then needed a replay to dispose of plucky Northwood in the Second Qualifying Round.

The Ducks continued on their run in the Third Qualifying Round, but only after being taken to yet another replay, when they finally disposed of Wroxham 4-2.

Their fatigue from the previous rounds started to show in the Fourth and final qualifying round and Ryman Premier League side Folkestone Invicta had too much for them, advancing 2-0 in October.

As the Kent outfit earned their place amongst the big boys in the First Round Proper, and were lucky enough to get a big-money draw with League Two Chester City away from home.

We went with Folkestone and they were on the verge of causing the shock of the round, when they took an early lead at the Saunders Honda Stadium, but conceded two second half goals to Keith Curle’s men.

Our losing jinx did not follow Chester, though, as they made no mistake in the second round, thrashing former Cup winners Nottingham Forest 3-0 to go into the hat with the Premiership giants and the prospect of a dream draw.

Sadly this wasn’t to be, as Chester were treated to a tough away game at Cheltenham Town from the same division in January.

After a hard-fought draw at Whaddon Road, Chester fancied their chances in a home replay, but went down to a Kayode Odejayi goal.

The Fourth Round allowed Cheltenham to live the dream, and they were set up to face Premiership Newcastle in a live BBC televised game.

Newcastle came into the game on poor league form, and Cheltenham were the better team throughout, but two goals in two minutes from Michael Chopra and Scott Parker spared manager Graeme Souness and the Magpies from a giant killing act.

Now a managerless Newcastle face Championship Southampton, and a place in the quarter-finals is at stake. Caretaker manager Glenn Roeder knows they will need to be back to their best in another televised match to go through.

To see more wonderful video action, from FA Youth Cup highlights to England training action, then click here.

One to ponder…

How many teams entered this year's FA Cup?

Answer: 674

more to ponder…