Havant restore FA Cup magic

Last Modified: 25 Jan 2008
Source: ITN

Havant & Waterlooville's exploits in the FA Cup have brought some magic back to the competition according to manager Shaun Gale.

The minnows from the Blue Square South league travel to Anfield to take on five-time European champions Liverpool on Saturday in one of the biggest FA Cup mismatches of all time.

The Hampshire side beat Notts County and Swansea to earn their fairytale fourth round clash.

And Gale insists his collection of plumbers, plasterers and bin men have proved the romance of the cup remains as strong as ever.

He said: "If there was any doubting the FA Cup then we have kicked that into touch this season, we've re-ignited it.

"For the non-league circuit it's just fantastic. It shows how important the FA Cup is for non-league clubs because these sorts of things can happen."

The Hawks are using Manchester United's training facilities ahead of the match and if there is a good time to face Liverpool, perhaps now is it.

They will have 6,000 fans roaring them on, and the form of Liverpool, whose Premier league title dreams are all but over for another year, has been well below par.

One win in their last six matches and five wins in their last 11 overall has started to stretch the patience of the Anfield faithful.

It is a measure of the growing despair at Anfield that manager Rafael Benitez wants his side to bag some goals to boost their confidence.

Following the disappointment of Monday's 2-2 home draw with Aston Villa, Benitez said: "Now we have a cup tie with a non-league team, it will be a great occasion for everyone but maybe we can score some goals to give us confidence."

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