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6-Goal Thriller Kills Dream Return

January 16, 2008  ·  By Ben  ·  Jump to comments

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Leicester-born Liverpool winger Paul Anderson (on loan at Swansea) had already began dwelling on the baiting prospect looming as the Fourth Round FA Cup fixtures were drawn on the 7th January, but those dreams were dashed as a rampant Havant & Waterlooville hit his temporary Swansea side for four.

Over 4,000 fans were present at West Leigh Park to witness the youngster take to the field, amongst others, but that was cut short as his 51st minute substitution meant he could but helplessly watch from the stands.

Alas at this point mass damage had already occurred, with Havant leading 3-2.

Gary Monk’s own-goal (4) offered Havent a stunning start on a platter, which was grabbed with both hands as the Hampshire-based Non-League club extended on the fortuitous gift merely 5 minutes prior to the half-hour mark through a Jamie Collins strike (25).

A truly inconceivable lead was asserted by the Hawks as the hero at the Liberty Stadium 10 days ago again conjured the magic to instil a 3-goal deficit (37) - Rocky Baptiste the name. The crowd sent into raptures.

The first-half still had plenty of controversy left in its locker mind, as Swansea instantly renewed hope in achieving what too would have been for them a dream Anfield journey.

Guillem Bauza narrowed their opponents lead with a sensational long-range attempt (39), and in a remarkable turn of events, Swansea’s Leon Britton missed from the spot just three minutes later and squandered a match-changing opportunity to convert for 3-2.

With Kevin Scriven’s save, the Havant & Waterlooville faithful were reeling from near heart attacks, yet they refrained from being peg-backed from their astonishing lead.

Anderson now on the bench, the visiting Swans applied more pressure than ever upon return for the second-half, and it paid dividends. Goalscorer Bauza’s woodwork-bound shot aligned itself with the path of Jason Scotland as the once ethereal lead became a precarious and increasingly narrow one (48).

The fingernails of the Havant crowd received a much-sought saviour however, as the biting ceased to allow for vehement celebrations - Tom Jordan certifying the win for the only remaining Non-League side with a header just after the hour mark (65).

Tonight one dream did die for a Liverpool youngster, vying for a chance to impress - but its substitute definitely made for captivating viewing at West Leigh, as a dream for thousands was realised. The pitch-invasion that entailed here does not come close to comprehending the events that will unfold, should an similarly impossible result be earned at Anfield…

This is the romance of the FA Cup.




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2 Responses to “6-Goal Thriller Kills Dream Return”

  1. fiz on January 16th, 2008 11:20 pm

    “This is the romance of the FA Cup.”

    Aha, nice one Ben. I wouldn’t say I’m shocked, but I had this feeling of them playing at Anfield.

    If Swansea had progressed, would Anderson be allowed to play because of the loan thingy?

  2. Ben on January 17th, 2008 4:35 pm

    Yep i think he would. Apparently we didn’t put anything in the contract to say he couldn’t play against us as we didn’t forsee actually having to play Swansea (what with them being in League One).

    So it is a shame in that respect. Would’ve been nice to see him play against us…

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