Emley & Gainsborough 1997/98

I’m not quite sure if this classes as the magic of the cup, but the 1997/98 season had a bit of everything for the replay argument. Drawing The Holy Blues at home in the first round was big, and ten-man Lincoln recovered from Mark Hone’s early red card to take a 1-0 lead. Grant Morrow equalised, and that meant a replay at… Sincil Bank. The game was deemed too big to take place in Gainsborough, so they were technically the home team, but the game was played at our ground. We raced into a 3-0 lead, Dean Walling, Jason Barnett and Jon Whitney all scoring in a mad three-minute spell in the first half. At 3-0, the Imps faltered, and it was 3-2 by half time. Luckily, we hung on to claim the win.

Next up, more Unibond opposition and a great chance to make round three. Emley were the visitors to the Bank, and boy, was it tough to watch. We led 1-0 early through Terry Fleming, but the part-timers bagged on half-time to draw level. When Deniol Graham scored on 85 minutes, it looked like we were out, but a late, late goal from Terry Fleming saved our skins. The next day, who should come out of the bag in the Third Round? West Ham.

The replay did not take place at Emley’s ground, but instead was at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield. On a terribly cold night, City led 2-0 and looked comfortable, only for Graham and a deflected Steve Nicholson effort to draw them level. We went into extra time and should have been fitter, but a Nicholson penalty gave them a late lead. Five minutes later, Mark Hone made it 3-3 and sent the tie to penalties.

Upton Park awaited, and when Jason Barnett missed, it looked like the home side were going there. Sub Viner missed for them, drawing us level, meaning that when Phil Stant stepped up, he was shooting to keep us in the game and to keep us in with a shout of a trip to London. He missed.

Weeks later, John Hartson and Paul Kitson scored to defeat the brave part-time side 2-1. We had a free weekend and went on to win just three of the next 14 matches. John Beck was sacked at the end of that run.