Road to Wembley - All the away with Lincoln

Ask the fans of Lincoln City what they thought of the FA Cup as they piled on the coaches, cars, and trains to make their way to Premiership Burnley this morning. You bet they loved it and have been thinking and talking about it for weeks.

Little did I know that in the fifth round my fortunes would be tied to a non-league team in my fantasy ‘Road to Wembley’ after Lincoln beat Brighton who at the time were top of the championship 3-1 after they made 9 or 10 changes to their team. Showing the lack of respect that some managers show to lower placed teams many of which have come a cropper.

The excuse they nearly always use, they are resting players. Poor players who have to play another game good to see Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho tell the press he would never again would he throw away the chance of FA Cup glory. However, would he say the same if he had a champions league game mid-week.

I am sure Burnley would show Lincoln all the respect needed they are top of the National League and proven to be dangerous which they dually did. The game was live on BT which was a pity has I am not a fan of their football coverage. Still I have to live with it. Watching the game, the pundits kept talking about the percentage of the game Burnley were having but all I was thinking had they scored because it does not matter unless they are scoring goals.

Then something truly ruddy marvellous happened. Yes little Lincoln became big Lincoln when they go and score just before full time with five minutes of injury time left on the clock. You know your team is in trouble when the goalkeeper comes up for the last chance saloon corner.

So they go into the hat for the Quarter Finals and everyone loves an underdog do they not.

Road to Date

• Fifth Round – Burnley 0-1 Lincoln City Att
• Fourth Round - Lincoln City 3-2 Brighton Att
• Third Round - Brighton 2-0 MK Dons Att 11091
• Second Round (replay) - MK Dons 3-1 Charlton
• Second Round - Charlton 0-0 MK Dons
• First Round (Proper) – MK Dons 3-2 Spennymoor Town Att 4099
• Fourth Round Qualifying - Lincoln United 0-3 Spennymoor Town Att 578
• Third Round Qualifying - Lincoln United 3-1 Handsworth Paramore Att 315
• Second Round Qualifying - Handsworth Paramore 2-0 Burscough Att 98
• First Round Qualifying – Squires Gate 2-5 Handsworth Parramore
• Preliminary Round – Squires Gate 3-2 West Didsbury & Chorlton
• Extra Preliminary Round - Maltby Main 2-3 Squires Gate