News

Albion's FA Cup third round memories

A look back at some FA Cup moments to remember in Albion's recent history.

By Bruce Talbot • 07 January 2021

By The Argus
Albion beat Newcastle United in their run to the FA Cup final.

With the third round fixtures of the Emirates FA Cup taking place this weekend, we take a look back at some of Albion's matches at this stage in the competition.  

1983 – Albion 1, Newcastle 1 (Albion won the replay 1-0)

By The Argus
Graham Pearce takes on the Newcastle defence at a packed Goldstone in January 1983.

Albion's glory run to their first FA Cup final started with a home tie against Newcastle United. In his programme notes Jimmy Melia recalled losing a third-round tie to non-league Worcester City 2-1 during his Liverpool days. “For me, the FA Cup is the best competition in the land. And you don't have to be the best team in the land, the luck of the draw is important.” 17,688 watched the first tie with Michael Robinson on target for Albion. Albion flew to the replay four days later and among the passengers was Barry Davies, commentating for BBC. More than 32,000 saw substitute Peter Ward score the only goal in the second half but referee Trelford Mills needed a police escort and wasn't allowed to leave St James' Park for two hours after disallowing two Newcastle goals.

1984 – Albion 2, Swansea City 0

By The Argus
Steve Foster makes a challenge during the 2-0 win over Swansea in 1984.

So much had changed at the Goldstone a year later. Chris Cattlin had replaced Melia and didn't mince his words in his programme notes, blaming the distractions of their FA Cup run for Albion's relegation from the top-flight a few weeks before their Wembley date against Manchester United. “Last year an unprofessional attitude allowed this club to be relegated. Of course, that doesn’t mean we don't want a Cup run, but it won't be at the expense of League points.” Goals from Jimmy Case and Terry Connor sealed a 2-0 win in front of 11,330 fans. In the fourth round Albion knocked out Liverpool 2-0 before their run ended with a 3-1 defeat at Watford.

1991 – Albion 3, Scunthorpe United 2

In his programme notes, boss Barry Lloyd revealed that the club were actively seeking a site for a new stadium and had been to Scunthorpe, who had recently moved to a new purpose-built facility at Glanford Park, to 'pay close attention to where the ground was located, how it was built and the facilities it offered.' Two goals from Mark Barham helped Albion to victory in front of 7785 and the fourth-round draw paired them once again with Liverpool. After coming from 2-0 down at Anfield to draw 2-2, Albion lost the Goldstone replay 3-2.

2002 – Albion 0, Preston North End 2

By BHAFC
Bobby Zamora missed a penalty as Albion were defeated by Preston.

Albion's first third-round tie of the new millennium and the Falmer 4 All campaign was in full swing, with fans encouraged to add their names to a petition in the match programme. A crowd of 6548 saw the First Division (now Championship) side, who were managed by David Moyes, win with a goal in each half although Bobby Zamora missed a first-half penalty which would have drawn Albion level.

2012 – Albion 1, Wrexham 1

By © 2012 Pete Gawlik
Ashley Barnes, who scored in the replay, takes on Wrexham's defence at the Amex in 2012.

The first third-round tie at the Amex saw Albion take on Conference side Wrexham. Head coach Gus Poyet warned in his notes that the Welsh side were a 'team who know how to and are used to winning football matches.' A crowd of 18,573 saw Jake Forster-Caskey put Albion in front but Wrexham equalised to earn a replay at the Racecourse Ground. A crowd of 8316 saw Andy Morrell put the non-league side ahead, but Ashley Barnes levelled 14 minutes from time and Albion held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out which they won 5-4.