A famous five – FA Cup classics

The Cherries have been involved in some eventful third-round encounters, with victory over holders Manchester United in 1984 arguably the most memorable.

A 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley at this stage in 1957 was followed by victories against top-flight big guns Wolves and Tottenham as the club reached the quarter-finals for the first and only time in its history.

Here, afcb.co.uk picks out five of our most significant wins in the third round of the FA Cup.

1983/84

AFC Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 0

Harry Redknapp’s heroes each pocketed a £200 bonus after pulling off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history by flooring mighty Manchester United.

Redknapp was just 36 and in the early days of his management career when he masterminded the downfall of the holders at a sold-out Dean Court.

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AFC Bournemouth 2-0 Manchester United

Although Walsall had been despatched with considerable ease in the first round, non-league Windsor & Eton gave the Cherries a fright when they took them to a replay in the second round.

But goals from John Beck and Ian Thompson eventually saw the Cherries progress, pitting Redknapp’s third-tier underdogs against the Red Devils, who arrived in Dorset in second place in the top flight.

Ron Atkinson’s star-studded team included the likes of England captain Bryan Robson, Frank Stapleton, Ray Wilkins, Arnold Muhren, Lou Macari, Norman Whiteside and Gary Bailey.

Redknapp arranged for his squad to stay in the Roundhouse Hotel the night before and they were treated to dinner at La Lupa in Charminster.

They also travelled to the game in a team coach which was delayed in getting to Dean Court as it struggled to get through the traffic and crowds on the short journey.

Goalkeeper Ian Leigh, who had been promised free pizza for life if he kept a clean sheet, made a top-drawer save to keep out Arthur Graham’s shot in the 55^th minute.

And just five minutes later, Milton Graham opened the scoring after Bailey had fumbled a Chris Sulley corner.

Thompson, who had only signed professional terms that season, aged 25, doubled their lead a couple of minutes later with the Cherries well and truly painting the town red that night. 

1956/57

Bournemouth & Boscombe 2 Accrington Stanley 0

Two years before the club’s greatest FA Cup run, they faced Oldham for the first and only time in the competition, Ian Allen’s goal earning the Cherries a 1-0 win in the second round before they bowed out to holders West Brom in the third round.

However, under Freddie Cox, the Cherries famously reached the quarter-finals in 1956/57, eventually losing 2-1 against Manchester United’s Busby Babes in front of a crowd of 28,799 at Dean Court.

The FA Cup trail began with an 8-0 hammering of non-league Burton Albion before Reg Cutler grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 win at Swindon Town in the second round.

Ollie Norris, who had plundered a hat-trick against Burton, and Brian Bedford were on target in a 2-0 victory against Accrington Stanley at Dean Court.

The Cherries went on to claim two top-flight scalps in Wolves and Tottenham before Cox’s Pippins drew first blood against the Red Devils through Bedford, only for Johnny Berry’s second-half double to fire the reigning league champions into the semi-final.

1991/92

Newcastle United 2 AFC Bournemouth 2 (Cherries won on penalties)

AFC Bournemouth wrote a new chapter in FA Cup history when they won the first televised penalty shootout in their third-round triumph against Newcastle United.

Harry Redknapp’s charges had earned a second crack at the Magpies following a 0-0 draw at Dean Court before the first attempt at the replay was fogged off after just 17 minutes.

The Cherries returned to Tyneside eight days later and Paul Wood’s second-half goal cancelled out Gavin Peacock’s opener to force extra-time at St James’ Park.

And although Andy Hunt struck to restore Newcastle’s lead, Kevin Bond popped up with a second equaliser to take the tie to penalties.

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Newcastle United 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Peacock, who joined Newcastle from the Cherries in November 1990, and Steve Watson netted from the spot, as did Jimmy Quinn and Denny Mundee to make it 2-2.

However, Liam O’Brien skied his effort over the crossbar, allowing the Cherries to forge ahead thanks to Richard Cooke’s confident strike.

Matty Appleby and Shaun Brooks both converted from 12 yards before Vince Bartram stole the show by diving to his right to keep out Kevin Brock’s spot-kick.

His save in front of the cameras sealed another memorable giant-killing for Cherries as they claimed the scalp of higher-level opposition.

The following month, the Cherries went down 3-0 at Ipswich in the fourth round, while Ossie Ardiles was relieved of his duties as Newcastle manager.

1998/99

AFC Bournemouth 1 West Bromwich Albion 0

Eddie Howe’s first FA Cup goal helped Mel Machin’s team pull off a giant-killing against free-scoring West Bromwich Albion in January 1999.

The Cherries went into the clash in sixth place in Division Two, while the Baggies, tenth in Division One, boasted prolific marksman Lee Hughes in their ranks.

Striker Hughes had plundered no fewer than 26 goals in his first 27 games and would go on to finish the season as the division’s leading marksman.

Due to mounting injury problems, Machin had a dearth of central defenders at his disposal and turned to midfielder Richard Hughes to deputise.

It proved a masterstroke as Scotsman Hughes performed superbly at the back to ensure his namesake would fail to add to his tally.

The Cherries had beaten Basingstoke Town and Torquay United to set up a date with Albion, five-time FA Cup winners and runners-up.

Howe settled the tie in favour of the hosts when he scored the only goal following a corner in the 34^th minute.

He also scored the Cherries’ consolation in the fourth round when they went down 3-1 at Barnsley, also their conquerors in the third round of the League Cup that season.

1925/26

Bournemouth & Boscombe 2 Reading 0

Bournemouth & Boscombe reached the third round for the first time in 1925/26, their third season in the Football League.

Ron Eyre, who had been on target in wins against Merthyr Town and Brentford in the first two rounds, netted twice in a 2-0 victory over Reading at Dean Court.

This set up a fourth-round meeting with Bolton Wanderers, the first time a top-flight club had visited Dean Court for an FA Cup tie.

Goals from Frank Stringfellow and Les Roberts gave the Division Three (South) Cherries a shock 2-1 lead before David Jack netted a late equaliser for Bolton to earn them a replay.

And although Eyre and Len Butt were on target at Burnden Park, the hosts triumphed 6-2 before eventually going on to beat Manchester City in the final at Wembley.

Eddie Howe picture credit: Andy Horsfield