Today I'm going back 42 years to 1980 and York City's League Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg tie against Bristol Rovers played at Bootham Crescent on a Wednesday night before a larger than normal attendance of 3,405. York were a Fourth Division outfit and Second Division (now the Championship) Rovers were definite giant killing material.
City came into the featured match on the back of an excellent start to the season. A League Cup 1st Round aggregate victory over Hartlepool United had been followed by League wins against AFC Bournemouth and Mansfield Town plus a home draw against Torquay United. Optimism was soaring and this game did little to dampen City spirits. A goal in the first half scored by Lloyd Richards gave York the advantage going into the break and an own goal, in the second half, by Rovers substitute Tony Pulis gave York something to take to Bristol for the 2nd Leg. Rovers were not without hope however as they had only lost narrowly by 2-1 with Aiden McCaffery scoring their all-important goal. That 2nd Leg proved to be a heartbreaker for York fans as Rovers came out on top with a 1-0 win on the night and, with a 2-2 aggregate score line. they went through having scored the crucial away goal.
There are a few notable names in the Bristol Rovers line-up. In addition to future Premier League manager Tony Pulis, Rovers had player-manager Terry Cooper (who didn't appear in this game despite the line up shown on the programme). Cooper, a former England international with 20 caps had played at left back in the 1970 Mexico World Cup whilst at Leeds United and was perhaps one of the earliest examples of a wing back. Playing for Rovers that night was a certain 19 year-old named Gary Mabbutt who I have featured in my blog previously (search on "Mabbutt"). Mabbutt, who's father Ray was a Bristol Rovers legend between 1956-1969, moved to Tottenham Hotspur and appeared for England a little over two years after the featured match.
Despite York's excellent start to the season, they soon began to struggle and slid down the League eventually finishing in last place and being obliged to seek re-election. Things weren't much better in Bristol with Rovers also finishing bottom of their Division (Two), one place behind cross-City rivals Bristol City who were also relegated. Bristol Rovers League Cup triumph over York earned them a 3rd Round tie against Third Division Portsmouth which went to a Replay following a goalless draw at Eastville. Portsmouth finished the job with a giant killing 2-0 victory. Portsmouth themselves would be eliminated in the next round by the eventual League Cup winners Liverpool who beat West Ham United 2-1 in the Final after a Replay.
CRB Match No. 98
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