Davies lives
ROCHDALE, just like Newport in the last round, are going to Wembley – and how they deserve it. The popular notion was that League One’s basement club had given up their best chance of an upset by relaying their ‘beach’ of a pitch. But manager Keith Hill said they had taken the decision to boost their chances of survival in the third tier – and if they play like this they will surely reach safety. For now though they can revel in the finest FA Cup result in their history after a goal in the third minute of added time by substitute Steve Davies earned them a replay in the national stadium that is serving as Tottenham’s temporary home. They have been there once before in a League Two play-off final – when they lost to Stockport – but this time they will hit the financial jackpot to the tune of around £500,000, an absolute fortune for a club whose average home crowd is around 3,000. Chairman Chris Dunphy’s beaming smile at the final whistle said it all. He has made his money fitting heating in churches, but the cash Dale will earn from a trip to the cathedral of football will keep the Lancashire club alive and kicking for some time.
Just when Harry Kane looked to have spared Spurs’ blushes by coming on and converting a penalty three minutes from time, Davies struck in the third of the four added minutes.
In Dale’s last throw of the dice, Davies started the move by playing a ball out to Matt Done on the left and then raced into the penalty area to sweep home a fine shot after Done’s cross flicked off Toby Alderweireld’s head.
The crowd erupted. And they felt justice had been served because Dele Alli had won a soft-looking penalty when he dangled his leg round Harrison McGahey’s challenge and convinced referee Bobby Madley to point to the spot despite Rochdale’s heated protests.
It is not the first time Alli has been involved in penalty controversy but replays showed he had simply made the most of a clumsy challenge.
Kane converted expertly and Dale’s dream looked over. But thanks to Davies they will enjoy a fantastic day out and a windfall – and no one could begrudge them that after a match that defied all logic.
To put the gulf in class in context, while Dale were losing at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, Spurs were battling back to earn a 2-2 draw with Juventus in a Champions League epic. Mauricio Pochettino made 11 changes from the game in Turin, even though Spurs do not play again until next Monday’s league meeting