The magic of the FA Cup.

One of my worst memories, supporting the Hatters, came at Villa Park, back in April 1985.

On that day, I saw a dream crushed as a strong Everton side beat the Hatters in an FA Cup semi-final.

The moment Ricky Hill scored, I was convinced Luton Town were heading to Wembley for the FA Cup Final.

But it wasn’t be, Everton emerged 2-1 victors and it was a solemn journey home.

Since that day, the Hatters have only ever come close, once, to reaching the FA Cup Final, back in 1994, after a gallant cup run saw us defeated, 2-0, by Chelsea.

Every year I hang on to the hope that this could be our year, but that dream is, since our fall into the 3^rd tier of English football, just a forlorn dream.

Nowadays, when it comes to the FA Cup, I take it a round at a time, hoping we make the 3^rd round and get a plum tie against a Premier League side.

So, let’s take a quick look at form as our 1^st round tie, against Forest Green Rovers, draws near, although perhaps I should be aware that league form goes out of the window when it comes to cup ties, but it is our only point of reference.

Luton Town enter the tie on a fine run of form, accumulating 13 points out of the last 18 available, with the recent run of results reading – LWWWWD.

As for our opponents, Forest Green Rovers, they are struggling, taking, when it comes to National League football, just 6 points out of the last 18 available, courtesy of a run of results that reads – LDDLWD and have also had to appoint a new manager after Robbie Savage left to take on the managerial role at Peterborough United.

As for our traditional pre-match poll, asking the readership to predict the result, a massive 94% are predicting a win for the Hatters, thereby securing a place in the 2^nd round, whereas only 6% reckon Forest Green Rovers will get revenge for last season.

On paper and according to our poll, the Hatters are hot favourites to be in the draw for the 2^nd round, but don’t take nothing for granted, never underestimate the magic of the FA Cup!

COYH

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