FA Cup 4th Round - Wolves take on WBA at Molineux

By Jemma Tappenden
January 17 2007

After the will they wont they question Wolves and Albion fans have been asking themselves all week, Wolves finally gave their answer lastnight after beating Oldham Athletic 2-0 to ensure a derby fixture at Molineux in the next round.

Football is packed with nostalgia, the FA Cup and the local derby. And now a rarity – both together. When the cup draw went ahead on 8th January 2007, clubs from all over the country held their breath. And then that draw happened….Wolverhampton Wanderers or Oldham Athletic Vs West Bromwich Albion. If that wasn’t incentive enough for Wolves to go to Oldham and play them off the park, then what was? So last night Wolves fans everywhere asked themselves the same question. Would we actually go to Oldham and win? It was going to be tough. Oldham look strong promotion contenders and have an outstanding home record, and after being held at Molineux this wasn’t a fixture I was relishing. But I perhaps should have had a little more faith. Goals from Darren Potter and Craig Davies ensured the 2-0 victory, and that Wolves would be entertaining the Baggies in the 4th round.

The FA Cup has become established as one of the country's great sporting institutions. It is 132 years old, and has only ever been interrupted briefly on two occasions, for the two world wars. This 4th cup draw is as historical as the cup itself, as two founding members of the football league and local rivals go head to head at Molineux.

Wolves have held the cup 4 times, last winning the trophy in 1960 with a 3-0 victory over Blackburn at Wembley. West Brom go one better, they have been winners of the trophy 5 times, last holding the cup in 1968 after beating Everton 1-0 after extra time at Wembley Stadium.

The tie will take place on Sunday 28th January – a 12pm kick off. No great surprise, this was never going to be a Saturday afternoon fixture. Baggies fans will undoubtedly be pleased at the news they are to have the whole of the Southbank. From what I’ve heard the lower tier of the Steve Bull stand has never been their favourite venue. Not entirely sure the regular Southankers will carry the same sentiment; they are to be relocated to the upper tier of the Steve Bull stand. But nonetheless, I’m sure the atmosphere will be a little bit special.

So one of our clubs will see the 5th round, and the other won’t. For Baggies they get the chance of a repeat performance from October, for Wolves a chance to restore a little pride. Either way there can only be one winner, so may the best team win, and finally….good luck to all.

Jemma.