Notts County V Middlesborough F A Cup Third Round 8th January 2005 |
The club may have had what many people would consider a poor season but there were highlights to it and the third round of the F.A. Cup was one of them as Notts County were drawn up against Premiership side Middlesborough. Meadow Lane was filled as the Notts average attendance of 5,000 turned into over 13,000 (13,671 to be exact) to watch the game as the visitors put out a full side with several full internationals. . The home side nearly caused a major upset as Tony Scully scored a cracking goal and really outplayed the premiership side. Boro didn't let the game go though and Doriva scored in the 54th minute to level with Job finally putting his side ahead in the 76th minute to stave off an embrassing defeat and deny Notts a dream fourth round tie at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Instead Pies fans had to be pleased with their creditable performance against a technically superior side who looked very tired after a hectic christmas period. Those fans who had gone to get a look at young England hopeful Stewart Downing saw him deny the home side with a clearance off the line in the last seconds. Just another of those 'if only' moments..... . The ball used during the match was a special F.A. Cup ball supplied by the Football Association. Printed on it were all the previous winners of the cup and the year in which they won. The ball was sold afterwards on the auction site QXL for a total of £76 with all the money going to the club. No replicas of this design have been produced. |
The away end fills up...... ....and visiting manager Steve McLaren can afford a wry smile after the game |
Reizeger - one of the full internationals that played as the visitors put out a full-strength side. |
England youngster Stewart Downing bailed out his team with a goal line clearance at the death. |
