For March 14th I'm going back 34 years to 1987 and Arsenal's FA Cup Quarter-Final against Watford.
Those of you that know me will know that I have no affection for Arsenal. None. Whatsoever. Whoever they're playing is who I'm supporting that day. In 1987 Spurs were on their way to Wembley and were due to play Wimbledon the next day. Which gave me a free Saturday and a chance to take in another game. FA Cup Quarter-Final at Highbury? Don't mind if I do. Come on Watford!
Arsenal finished fourth in the First Division that season and would go on to win the League Cup three weeks later. They were managed by George Graham who was assembling the side that would go on to win the league title in 1989. Watford, under Graham Taylor were into their fifth consecutive top flight season and they'd already reached an FA Cup Final three years earlier, incomparable success for one of history's small clubs. However, Graham Taylor was bound for Aston Villa at the end of this season and the Hornets would be relegated the following year.
On this glorious day, in front of 43,276, Watford pulled off a famous away win by 3-1. Luther Blissett got 2 goals and John Barnes got the other with Ian Allinson scoring the first goal of the game which in the end proved to be nothing more than Arsenal's consolation. The fact that Blissett's second goal and Watford's third was shrouded in controversy simply made it all the better from my point of view. Bye bye Arsenal! The other Quarter-Final that day saw Coventry City beat Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough but nobody thought that they'd win the FA Cup that year!
CRB Match No. 494
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