Just Magic!

Jan 7 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ANDY RITCHIE watched his Town side stun Premier League Birmingham City to book a place in today’s FA Cup fourth-round draw and said: “Let’s transfer this kind of form into our League I fixtures.”

The Galpharm side will go into action at home to Gillingham on Saturday buoyed by a 2-1 win over Birmingham sealed by Chris Brandon’s first goal of the season in the 80th minute.

A 13,410 crowd, Town’s biggest of the season and including 2,300 Brum supporters, had earlier seen Luke Beckett give the home side a third-minute lead before Garry O’Connor levelled on 18 minutes.

The victory, described by Ritchie as “magic”, was Town’s first over Premier League opposition since Chelsea were beaten 1-0 in the third round of the League Cup in October 1999, and their first over a top-flight team in the FA Cup since QPR were defeated 2-1 in the third round in January 1984.

It put Town into round four for the first time since 1998-99, with the draw taking place at 1.30 today (live on BBC2 and Sky Sports News).

Ties will take place on the weekend of January 26/27, meaning a new date will have to be found for the home League I clash with Millwall.

Town pocketed £40,000 for their victory, doubling the amount already accrued for the previous wins over Accrington and Grimsby.

And Ritchie added: “We’d love a money-spinning tie against another Premier League side in the fourth round, with Manchester United away my dream draw.”

Of the display against Birmingham, the boss added: “It was a fantastic day for the town, the supporters and not least the players.

“They’ve given their all and while we rode our luck on one or two occasions, we created chances as well.

“The challenge is to reproduce that form during our normal league season, starting against Gillingham.

“That’s what I’ll be saying to the lads after we’ve enjoyed this win.”

Ritchie had to make changes because of Nathan Clarke’s one-match suspension and injuries to Andy Booth (groin) and Phil Jevons (thigh).

He handed first starts in 16 games to Brandon and nine to Beckett as well as giving 18-year-old James Berrett a full debut in central midfield.

Frank Sinclair took Clarke’s place at centre-back with Michael Collins moving to right-back.

“Luke and Chris both did really well, and they’ve set me a poser for the Gillingham game,” said Ritchie.

“Luke got his goal and put in a great cross for the winner, and Chris has shown himself what he can do.

“That was his first of the season, but it should have been about his seventh and scoring has been the only thing missing from his game really.”

Ritchie said of Berrett, who had made just two substitute appearances previously: “What a game to come into. He was very assured and kept things simple.

“He got his tackles in well and passed well, and while he’s played at centre-back and right-back, central midfield is his position.”