FA Cup Giant Killing  

FA Cup giant killing and nonleague football history are inexorably linked in the psych of football supporters. 

In the long and colourful history of the competition there have been plenty of stand out moments; shock wins by minnows over the big boys, incredible goal-scoring feats, fairy tale personal stories and more drama than Shakespere could ever manage.   

But it is the FA Cup giant killing acts which the fans love to talk about and there are often arguments about which cup upset was the greatest of them all. 

Hereford’s defeat of Newcastle in 1972 is always mentioned, Sutton beating Coventry is another as are Bournemouth’s victories over Wolves and Spurs in 1956/57 and Wrexham beating Arsenal in 1992.   

But perhaps the most magical giant killing occurred way back in 1949 when Yeovil Town, then of the Southern League, took on and beat ‘Bank of England club’ Sunderland at the Huish in the Fourth Round of the cup. 

Sunderland would finish third in that seasons First Division and no one expected anything other than an away win when the two teams clashed on January 29, 1949.   

But, under player-manager Alec Stock, Yeovil were nobodies fools and had already caused a sensational FA Cup giant killing act in Third Round by beating Second Division Bury 3-1 in front of 13,500 at The Huish.   

Yeovil’s hopes of a first ever Fifth Round appearance seemed to have been dashed even before kick-off with regular keeper Stanley Hall ruled out with injury.  Young amateur Dickie Dyke would make his debut against one of the best sides in England who had the legendary Len Shackleton in their line up. 

Undaunted over 17,000 fans crammed themselves into the Huish looking for an upset and they didn’t have long to wait for the drama to begin.   

After creating several early chances the NonLeague team took the lead in the 26^th minute when Alec Stock latched onto a Wright header and lashed the ball past Mapson in the Sunderland goal.   

Yeovil had dominated the first-half but Sunderland took command after the break.  On the hour mark the First Division club were level when Dyke could only parry a shot to Robinson who easily slotted the ball home for the equaliser. 

Despite being on top Sunderland couldn’t force the winner.   

Extra time was played and after 14 minutes history was made when Eric Bryant capitalised on a mistake by Shackleton to shoot home the decisive goal.  There was more drama to come before the final whistle was blown with the referee almost abandoning the match on two occasions. 

With just five minutes left a dense fog suddenly descended on the ground before just as suddenly disappearing again.  Yeovil left-back Ralph Davis would later recall, “I felt sure the referee would call it off (but) I’m convinced the crowd were so excited by the prospect of a famous victory that they blew it away.”   

And it was the excitable crowd which almost cost Yeovil the tie as, mistaking a foul for the final whistle, thousands of fans surged onto the pitch.  Thankfully, they quickly returned to the terraces only to invade the pith again two minutes later when the final whistle was sounded for real.   

It was an incredible victory for the NonLeague team and the whole town partied well into the night.  The Fifth Round would see more drama but not another FA Cup giant killing as Yeovil fell to an 8-0 defeat at Manchester United. 

Because Old Trafford still wasn’t fit for football following the war the match was played at Maine Road with 6,000 Yeovil fans helping to swell the gate to a massive 81,565.