Romance of the cup is alive — thanks to Kettering

IN THESE days of inflated transfer fees and huge wages paid to star players, it is reassuring to know that the romance of the FA Cup is still alive, writes KEITH McHUGH.

If proof be needed, then look at the example set by Kettering Town, who entertain Fulham at Rockingham Road tomorrow.

While cup battles between the big guns are always exciting, clashes between non-league sides and Premier League outfits are the matches which capture the imagination of the neutrals.

Who will ever forget Hereford’s Ronnie Radford-inspired defeat of Newcastle, or Sutton United’s unlikely victory over another top-flight side, Coventry?

While these matches are clearly no fun for the big boys, there is nothing better for viewers than seeing highly-paid footballers given a run for their money by part-timers who have battled for months to reach the latter stages of the cup.

Kettering go into tomorrow’s tie as 9-1 underdogs to beat a Fulham side enjoying a decent season in the Premier League.

Last season’s Conference North champions are currently plying their trade in the Conference National, but it the FA Cup run which has grabbed the imagination of their loyal fans who saw their side secure a place in the last 32 of soccer’s biggest domestic cup competition with a 2-1 home victory over fellow non-league outfit Eastwood Town.

Craig Westcarr and Gareth Seddon were the men on target as Kettering overcame a team which had previously beaten league opposition, including Rochdale.

Fulham’s progress under Roy Hodgson has been steady, but last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham may have undermined confidence, so another FA Cup shock could be on the cards.

At the other end of the spectrum, Liverpool and Everton clash for the second time in a week in a blockbuster fourth-round tie.

The teams drew 1-1 at Anfield in the Premier League on Monday, when Tim Cahill’s late equaliser severely dented Liverpool’s title hopes.

Sunday’s action replay at Anfield promises to be another hard-fought affair.

Elsewhere this weekend, cup holders Portsmouth entertain Championship side Swansea, luckless Carling Cup semi-finalists Burnley go to Premier League side West Brom, Arsenal face a tricky trip to Wales to take on last season’s beaten finalists Cardiff, and League One team Hartlepool host Premier League side West Ham.

The full draw is:

TONIGHT: Derby v Nottingham Forest (7.45pm).

TOMORROW: Hartlepool v West Ham (12.40pm); Hull v Millwall, Sunderland v Blackburn, Sheffield Utd v Charlton, Portsmouth v Swansea, Chelsea v Ipswich, Doncaster Rovers v Aston Villa, West Brom v Burnley, Torquay Utd v Coventry, Kettering v Fulham, Watford v Crystal Palace, Wolves v Middlesbrough (all 3pm); Manchester United v Tottenham (5.15pm).

SUNDAY: Cardiff City v Arsenal (1.30pm); Liverpool v Everton (4pm).