47 Years On, It's Sutton v Leeds Again
- Mark Bravery
- Jan 26, 2017
- 2 min read
This Sunday Sutton United play their most high-profile match since their Cup run of 1988/89, as they take on Championship side Leeds United at Gander Green Lane in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup (kick-off 2pm).
It was at this stage of the competition in 1970 that Don Revie's Leeds, then one of the strongest teams in the country and the reigning League champions, won 6-0 at the Lane in front of a record crowd of 14,000. Leeds went on to reach the Cup Final that year, drawing 2-2 with Chelsea at Wembley and losing the replay 2-1 at Old Trafford.
This will be Sutton's third appearance in the fourth round and they have never gone further. In 1989, after beating Coventry City 2-1 in the third round, they lost 8-0 at Norwich City in the fourth.
Sutton manager Paul Doswell will be aiming to improve on those two previous hammerings. His team have reached this stage by overcoming Forest Green Rovers, Dartford, Cheltenham Town and AFC Wimbledon. Leeds entered the Cup in the third round and so have only had to win once so far, coming from behind to prevail 2-1 at Cambridge United of League Two through headed goals from Stuart Dallas and Alex Mowatt.
Sutton welcome back captain Jamie Collins who has now served his two-match suspension. But his regular centre-back partner Dean Beckwith hurt his hamstring in Tuesday's FA Trophy victory over Worthing and is doubtful for Sunday. The experienced Simon Downer is most likely to cover, though Louis John is also available. With Ben Jefford cup-tied, Dan Spence and Kevin Amankwaah are expected to occupy the full-back positions. The midfield quartet of Nicky Bailey, Craig Eastmond, Roarie Deacon and Bradley Hudson-Odoi were all rested for the Worthing game, with fitness concerns about Bailey (back), Hudson-Odoi (calf) and Deacon (face). Bedsente Gomis, Adam May and Jeffrey Monakana all played on Tuesday and came through unscathed. Striker Maxime Biamou, another player rested against Worthing, will expect to start alongside either Matt Tubbs or Dan Fitchett. Craig McAllister and Craig Dundas are cup-tied.
On Wednesday evening Leeds reclaimed third place in the Championship by beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 at home, their goals coming from Chris Wood and Souleymane Doukara. Manager Garry Monk is expected to make several changes to his starting eleven for Sunday, as he did in the last round.
This match is all-ticket and sold out, but will be shown live on BT Sport 2 with coverage starting at 1.30pm.
In the event of the match being drawn, there would be a replay at Leeds United's Elland Road ground in the week beginning 6 February.