Dwight on the Whistle.

[Alan75]

Rovers v Sunderland FA Cup

This was, what a neutral supporter would call a classic FA Cup match, full of action, agony and ecstasy. From the first minute to final whistle this was straight from a Roy of the Rovers script. The home team going behind on two occasions to come back to gain a replay in injury time.

Within 2 min of kick off Rovers lost possession on their right hand side allowing Marcus Stewart to fire home a Julio Arca cross. However within 10 min a fluent move down Rovers left by Dunn let in  Neill whose pass was slotted home from the narrowest of angles by Andy Cole. Rovers now in command went close to taking the lead a minute later but Sunderlands keeper managed to save Matt Jansen shot.

Half time 1-1

Within 10 minutes of the restart Sunderland took control of the game and Rovers again went behind, when Todd lost possession in his own penalty area, allowing Procter to shoot past Friedel. On 70 minutes Sunderland went further ahead when Phillips scored from close range. Some excellent work by Friedel kept the visitors at bay until Cole collected a one two from Yorke to slot the ball home past Sorensen.

Rovers now with a Cole, Yorke and Ostenstad up front pushed for the equaliser, with Johansson, who had come on for the injured Dunn, coming close with a shoot straight at the keeper. Sunderland relying on the break away came close to sowing the match up, but were denied by Lucas Neill throwing himself to protect an empty net.

With time running out Yorke sprung the offside trap, and prodded the ball home under the diving Sorensen.

Final Score 3-3

Rovers

Friedel, Douglas (Ostenstad 59), Todd, Taylor, Neill, Jansen (Gillespie 45), Thompson, Tugay, Dunn (Johansson 83), Cole, Yorke.

Subs not used: Short, Robinson.

Yellow card. Dunn.

Sunderland

Sorensen, Gray, Babb, Craddock, Clark, Proctor, McCann, Kilbane, Arca, Phillips, Stewart.

Subs not used: Thome, Kyle, Medina, Oster, Macho.

Yellow card. Kilbane.

Referee: D Elleray

Attendance: 14,315