Football Rewind MOTTY’S MINNOW MARVEL

FIFTY years ago, the third round of the FA Cup produced one of the competition’s greatest results – and a goal that ended up on stage.

John Motson had just started at Match of the Day when he was sent to Hereford in February 1972 to “sweep up a routine win for Newcastle”.

That seemed the only possible outcome when the First Division side met their Southern League hosts in a third-round replay.

Someone in Motson’s passenger seat on the way to Hereford for the game had other ideas, however.

“Ricky George lived near me in Barnet,” said Motson. “And I actually gave him a lift to the game. I ended up interviewing him on the pitch after – and then giving him a lift home.”

The Bulls had somehow clinched a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park and, because of foul weather and with Hereford players struggling to get time off work, the match was postponed several times.

Eventually it went ahead on a filthy night in front of an official attendance of 14,313.

They saw Malcolm Macdonald give the visitors the lead in the 82nd minute.

What happened two minutes later has gone into FA Cup folklore.

Radford let fly with a right-foot rocket. “As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in,” he recalled, years later.

“Oh what a goal!” said a disbelieving Motson (above). “Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford! And the crowd are on the pitch. What a tremendous shot by Ronnie Radford.”

Two years ago, the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford commissioned a play called Goal, telling the story of Radford’s equaliser through the eyes of six ballboys who were at the match.

That goal forced extra-time and, in the 103rd minute, Newcastle allowed George the time to turn in the penalty area, take aim and poke a right-footed shot towards goal.

The ball bobbled along the bumpy pitch – and into the corner of the net.

“Every other match that night was in the fourth round and I never expected to be at the top of the programme,” added Motson, now 76.

“The programme had around 14 million viewers. It was a very emotional night that still has a place in my heart.

“And that match turned my life around.”