Dave Watson and Gary Neville relive an FA Cup classic

Thursday 12 Feb 2015
England coaches Gary Neville and Dave Watson remember their FA Cup head-to-head

They may be mates as part of Roy Hodgson's coaching staff now, but back in 1998 Gary Neville and Dave Watson went head-to-head in The FA Cup.

Former Manchester United defender Neville, who already had one FA Cup and two Premier League winners' medals to his name, lined-up against Barnsley, who had Watson in goal, in an FA Cup Fifth Round clash.

And when the two England coaches sat down together to watch the game again with FATV, it brought back some happy memories - for Watson at least.

Gary Neville and Dave Watson

Neville and Watson watch the highlights of their game

Having drawn the first game 1-1 at Old Trafford on 15 February, the two Premier League sides met again at Oakwell for a place in the quarter final against Newcastle United.

"We wouldn't have been looking forward to it in one sense, because we gave away a goal on the Sunday," recalls Neville.  

"You'd probably rather have Liverpool at home, than another Premier League team away in The FA Cup. The home draw was the key."

Dave Watson, Barnsley

Dave Watson was a happy man after victory

Watson adds: "For us it can't get much harder - drawn away to Man United. And we get a draw, so you think our mindset going into the game at home, we've got to feel we've got a chance if we've managed to get a replay."

As he did ten days earlier at Old Trafford, John Hendrie gave the Tykes the lead, clipping over the head of Peter Schmeichel and into the net off the crossbar. 

"What a moment!" said Watson as he watched the game with his rival on the day.

It got even better for Barnsley, who extended their lead just before half time thanks to a close-range poacher's finish from Scott Jones.

"You look angry," Watson said with a smile as a young Neville flashed up on the screen. 

"I am angry," came Neville's response. "We're getting beat two-nil off Barnsley."

Teddy Sheringham pulled one back for the visitors ten minutes into the second half, a wicked deflection taking the ball into the net past Watson.

Gary Neville and Dave Watson

"We made some mistakes," said Neville

However, Jones headed another for Barnsley to restore their two goal lead.

United rallied, but could only muster one more goal, through Andy Cole, and it was the underdogs from South Yorkshire who went through.

"We made some mistakes on that night that we would never normally make," said Neville. "Barnsley played well, the atmosphere was fantastic."

Watson added: "We were obviously hanging on there at the end, they did miss two or three chances.

"But to beat Manchester United you need that bit of luck or for them to have that off day in front of goal.

"The FA Cup has always been special and in a one-off game like that it gave us a chance."

As United headed out, Barnsley went on to face the Magpies in the next round, but their FA Cup adventure came to an abrupt end, losing 3-1 at St. James' Park.

For all the details of this weekend's FA Cup Fifth Round ties, which feature Manchester United away at Preston North End, click here.

England coaches Gary Neville and Dave Watson watch the FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Barnsley

 


By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor