Jan 1939 what's special?

bath time
By TG4EVA
October 15 2009

Remember the picture?

Fa Cup Fever?

Ipswich first played in the FA Cup 1890, But what was special this year in the 3rd round?

In 1938/1939 Ipswich started in the professional League and joined that year in the FA Cup.

The first round Ipswich player Somerset Side Street. By Half time Ipswich was a goal up and people thought the non League side where playing well. But in the 2nd half Ipswich scored 6 goals going though to the 2nd round 7-0.

2nd Round Ipswich was home again against Torquay United from the 3rd Division. Ipswich had beaten them 6 weeks before. Ipswich won 4-1 on the day different to 6 weeks before but Ipswich where for the 1st time in the 3rd round new territory and just over 6,000 fans saw them go though.

The 3rd round see's the big clubs enter the FA Cup and people where on edge who Ipswich would face in the 3rd round.

Would Ipswich face:-

Preston North End the currant holders

Arsenal where the League Champions

Or Aston Villa who beat Man Utd to win the 2nd Division Title.

They got drawn against Villa at Villa this would be the biggest ever game for Ipswich and so they got ready for it.

Ipswich carried on playing well on the pitch winning the next 5 games inc winning 5-1 on boxing day against Mansfield Town the biggest ever away win they had so far.

On the day many thoughts must have gone though the players mines as they walked onto the pitch in front of 34,910 fans the biggest every crowd to see Ipswich play.

The pitch was bad muddy in the middle and Icy edges. Villa where strong but it did not effect Ipswich and the start went well it surprised both sets of fans.

The ball got stuck in the mud more then once and it was 0-0 on the break. Ipswich got a penalty soon in to the second half but it was saved and as the game went on both sides showed to be wanting to win the game. Villa scored with 7 minutes left and it seemed Ipswich would be out but Hutcheson headed the ball in with two minutes left and the game went into a replay.

4 days later Ipswich saw their biggest ever home crowd when they played the replay. 28,000 packed into Portman Road and they treated to a great game from Start to end.

The winners would meet Preston North end next round so all was to play for.

Ipswich where better and the ground mud free. It was 0-0 by half time and second half saw Dave Bell took off for injury but later came back on but never touched the ball again. Ipswich was really down to 10 man and though they attacked but Villa kept them out.

On the 64th Minute Villa scored the linesman had to check with the referee and it was awarded. For the second time in the tie Ipswich had gone behind but with 15 minutes left Ipswich Scored to level the score. Town kept frighting for the winning goal but on the 90th minute villa Scored and won the game. Though Ipswich lost they held their heads high and put Ipswich on the map.