Roker Relives... SAFC v Notts County, FA Cup 3rd Round Replay, 1973

Following a 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane in January 1973, Sunderland brought Notts County back to Roker Park looking to make it into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.

David Young and recent signing Ron Guthrie were the only changes from the first encounter between the two teams.

After a first half which saw Notts County have the better of the action, SAFC went ahead early in the second half. Ian Porterfield won the ball deep in midfield, and the move was finished by Dave Watson (who had also notched in the first tie) who fired a shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner past a despairing Roy Brown in the Magpies goal.

Notts threw everything at SAFC following that, with chances for Kevin Randall & Les Bradd. However, all nerves were settled seconds from the final whistle as Dennis Tueart robbed hesitant Magpies defender David Needham, and fired into the back of the net via the foot of the post to delight a crowd of more than 30,000 inside Roker Park. 2-0 the final score.

A jubilant Bob Stokoe said after the match "This was a great night for the lads and for the fans. Again we did not do too well in the first half, but the second half always matters most and we solved it all then."

SAFC would go on to face Reading in the 4^th round, and could do again if the Royals get past WBA this weekend. Although we’re no longer a second division team, here’s hoping history repeats itself in this year’s FA Cup. It’s been a while since we had any success in the cup, so it’s about time I reckon, don't you?...

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