RESERVES GET THEIR PAYBACK

 

(Image taken from Manutd.com)

 

Well for the first time in 2006, United were playing at Old Trafford, but this was not how it was supposed to happen. The reserves had encountered a stubborn Burton Albion side in the original FA Cup 3rd round match.

As a result, we had a replay to deal with, just like last year when the first team had to head down to Exeter to take care of a Conference side. However this time out, Fergie decided to trust the reserves again, backed up by a heavyweight bench, complete with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer at right mid(that idea still raises a minor 'huh' from me even with the likes of Saha and Rossi hanging around in the 05/06 vintage squad). Even given the fact that the gaffer didn't want to trash the second-stringer's morale and probably wanted a fresh first XI for the crucial visit of the Scousers on the weekend, this was a gamble.

And given that John Shaw gave Tim Howard a headache early on in the match it did start to look that things would get a little too interesting for United's liking...and then in the 7th minute Richardson put a cross right on Saha 's head, 1-0 and welcome to Old Trafford Nigel Clough and crew! At which point United seemed to chill, Burton had the odd chances but they weren't anything United couldn't handle and then Silvestre set up Rossi for a header in in the 23rd minute. Now we were talking nice and smooth and easy, Shaw got himself injured before half time, Burton came up with the odd free kick but didn't look like they were going to do much.

Second half was more of the same really. Saha's shooting boots may have been failing him but at 2-0 up that wasn't a major issue, and it definitely wasn't when Rossi set up Richardson who burned the Burton defence before getting United's third. And just in case Burton had any ideas of getting back from this, on came Rio, Giggsy and Neville, Fergie clearly not in a merciful mood. Giggsy made it four after getting set up with a Rossi cross in the 68th minute. At this point I wouldn't have had a problem with Burton getting a consolation goal but despite some decent late efforts it didn't happen. Neville put in a shot where crossing for a Solksjaer comeback goal would have been a better option and finally in injury time Rossi got the ball from a corner and the assasin-in-training sends the ball past pretty much everyone and into the net. Seeya around Burton and good night, United have Wolves in the 4th round.

Elsewhere, Middlesborough took care of Conference North side Nuneaton Borough 5-2 at the Riverside and Birmingham dealt with Torquay to the tune of 2-0 at St Andrews. The more interesting matches though were the Premiership vs Championship encounters with Championship leaders Reading coming back from behind to take out West Brom 3-2 at the Madejski stadium. Wigan needed penalties to beat Leeds after a 3-3 draw at Elland Road and Everton beat Millwall 1-0 at Goodison Park.

North of the border, there were a couple of Scottish Cup 3rd round replays this week with Inverness CT beating Second Division Ayr 2-0 at the underdog's Somerset Park while Hamilton beat Queen of the South 1-0 at New Douglas Park in an all-First Division tie.

And on the weekend, we have that must-win game against the Scousers.

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