THE 1973 FA CUP WIN
Brian Leng recalls Sunderland's greatest ever cup run.
3RD ROUND
Notts County 1 -1 Sunderland
13/1/73
3RD ROUND REPLAY
Sunderland 2-0 Notts County
16/1/73
4TH ROUND
Sunderland 1-1 Reading
3/2/73
4TH ROUND REPLAY
Reading 1-3 Sunderland
7/2/73
5TH ROUND
Manchester City 2-2 Sunderland
24/2/73
DENNIS
TUEART
SCORED
AGAINST
NOTTS
COUNTY IN
THE 3RD RD
REPLAY
id more than held their
ist the cup favourites in a
game at Maine Road.
From the kick-off, it was third
division County who enjoyed the
lion's share of possession and it
came as no surprise when they took
the lead on 20minutes, Les Bradd
beating Jim Montgomery with a low
drive from just inside the box.
The game looked as though it had
been put beyond Sunderland's reach
on 65 minutes when Bradd looked
to have grabbed a second for the
home side, only to see Montgomery
produce a stunning save.
As the game entered its closing
stages Bob Stokoe signalled Dave
Watson forward to lend his weight
to the attack and the defender duly
obliged, rising above the County
defence to power home a terrific header
with only ten minutes remaining.
Sunderland finally overcame a stubborn
Notts County side with two second-half
goals, but they were made to fight all
the way in a dour encounter in front
of over 30,000 fans at Roker Park.
The breakthrough came on 55
minutes and again it was Watson who
snatched the vital goal, firing home
a low shot from the edge of the box.
The home side had to survive one or
two scares before Tueart made the
game safe in the dying seconds after a
mistake by Brown in the County goal
Sunderland started the game strongly
but Charlie Hurley's Reading side
looked as though they might produce
an upset when they took the lead
on 13 minutes, Les Chappell heading
home to silence the home crowd.
Sunderland managed to draw level
just before half-time through Dennis
Tueart and continued to dominate the
game only to find Steve Death in the
Reading goal in inspired form. In the
dying seconds it seemed the keeper's
resistance had finally been broken when
Lathan broke through to fire home only
to see the effort ruled out for offside.
The first 45 minutes at Elm Park
saw Sunderland hit their best form
of the season as they raced to a
three goal lead and effectively book
their place in the fifth round.
Watson, restored to the Sunderland
attack for the game, netted after only
90 seconds and further goals by Tueart
and Kerr followed before the interval.
The home side did manage to pull a
goal back when Cumming netted from
the penalty spot after a foul by Pitt,
but Sunderland were never in any real
danger and ran out comfortable winners
Sunderland more
own against the
pulsating
