Broken dreams Weston-super-Mare and other minnows pay the price for greed of the rich
The Guardian|November 04, 2024
Weston-super-Mare's ground holds 3,500 fans. It was last packed to the rafters when Doncaster Rovers arrived a decade ago, a convincing defeat hardly dampening the night's magnitude.
- Nick Ames
Broken dreams Weston-super-Mare and other minnows pay the price for greed of the rich

Had the clock stopped at 90 minutes in their FA Cup first round tie at Bristol Rovers on Saturday, a 1-1 draw would have guaranteed an occasion unmatched in their 137-year history. The National League South side would have hosted a competitive derby against one of the local giants for the first time; broadcasters would almost certainly have been interested and the five-figure windfall would not have harmed ambitions to redevelop their home.

Instead the tie went to extra time and Rovers pulled two goals clear. Weston-super-Mare's time in the sun was over. As a timely thread on X pointed out over the weekend, they were one of five non-league teams that missed out on a home replay for identical reasons. That would not have been the case before the Football Association's decision in April that all FA Cup fixtures must be decided at the first time of asking, justified primarily by the imminent strain from expanded Champions League and Club World Cup competitions on those higher up the chain.

この蚘事は The Guardian の November 04, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は The Guardian の November 04, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

THE GUARDIANのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
The Guardian

At least 75% of universities join fossil fuel pledge, say activists

More than three-quarters of UK universities have pledged to exclude fossil fuel firms from their investment portfolios, according to campaigners.

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell
The Guardian

Verstappen says he has 'lost all respect' for Russell

Max Verstappen issued a condemnation of his fellow driver George Russell stating he had \"lost all respect\" for him after the pair were involved in an incident during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.

time-read
1 min  |
December 02, 2024
'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants
The Guardian

'Not the best part of UK' Ortega hits out at Liverpool over Guardiola 'sack' chants

Pep Guardiola said he expected more respect at Anfield after being taunted about the sack during Manchester City's defeat at Liverpool, with the chants prompting the goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to criticise the city as \"not the best part in the UK\".

time-read
2 分  |
December 02, 2024
Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder
The Guardian

Salah seals statement win as City continue to flounder

When times have been tough in the past for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, there has always been the sense they will pull through; it will be OK.

time-read
4 分  |
December 02, 2024
Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy
The Guardian

Powerless Guardiola gawps as his empire falls at the hands of Slot's meritocracy

Pep Guardiola kept holding up six fingers. The Liverpool fans were in delirium and the Liverpool players were jigging and jiving across the turf, and his own players had gone over to applaud the travelling support, which is really the least anyone deserves after attempting to travel across northern England on a Sunday.

time-read
3 分  |
December 02, 2024
Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton
The Guardian

Rashford and Zirkzee double up to demolish sorry Everton

\"Amorim, Ruben Amorim, nananananananaaa,\" the jubilant Manchester United fans chorused after Joshua Zirkzee's second goal.

time-read
3 分  |
December 02, 2024
Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries
The Guardian

Palmer's showstopper adds to Emery's worries

Bad news for fans of slapstick comedy: Chelsea appear to be serious again.

time-read
3 分  |
December 02, 2024
Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney
The Guardian

Postecoglou tunes out injury 'violins' as Spurs are slowed by Cairney

It would be tempting to talk of Tottenham at least being predictable in their unpredictability, of the way they cannot but follow up a great result with a disappointing one, of the inevitability of them, having beaten Manchester City 4-0 the previous weekend, failing to beat Fulham at home.

time-read
3 分  |
December 02, 2024
Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley
The Guardian

Hayes says fans entitled to boo USA's Albert at Wembley

Emma Hayes United States head coach

time-read
2 分  |
December 02, 2024
The Guardian

'Raring to go' Stokes brushes off injury worry after pulling up

Ben Stokes moved to play down concerns over his fitness and declared himself \"raring to go\" for the second Test at Wellington after the England captain ended his efforts with the ball mid-over during the eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval.

time-read
2 分  |
December 02, 2024