Don Mackay described Fulham’s humiliating FA Cup first round exit at the hands of Third Division strugglers Northampton Town as ‘the lowest moment of my managerial career’.
The Whites were comprehensively outplayed by their lowly hosts at the County Ground and Mackay savaged his sluggish start for falling at the first hurdle in the world’s oldest club cup competition – a year after being stunned by non-league Hayes at the same stage. Mackay fumed about a lack of passion immediately after the final whistle, telling his post-match press conference:
“I felt they played us off the park. The passion I demanded from my players before the game wasn’t there. I know they all want to do well – it’s a question of transmitting that on the field. This is the lowest moment of my managerial career. I’m really angry.”
Mackay’s plans were disrupted by Gary Brazil failing a late fitness test and his decision to start youngster Lee Tierling rather than deployed utility man Jeff Eckhardt alongside Sean Farrell raised eyebrows. Tierling, on his first full start, struggled to make an impression – but the Whites were well beaten on an ignominious afternoon as Jim Stannard endured another Northampton nightmare.
The Cobblers, locked in a battle to preserve their league status, relished the opportunity to upset their Division Two opponents. Where Fulham’s defence was a laughing stock, Terry Angus and Steve Terry were superb both in the air and not the floor. Mickey Bell was magnificent along the left flank and Kevin Wilkin was a constant danger down the opposite side. Town were in the ascendancy long before Stannard stayed rooted to his line as Wilkin glanced in his fourth of the season from Stuart Beavon’s inswinging corner. Steve Brown squandered a good chance after an untimely slip by Glen Thomas three minutes later, but any Fulham proved fleeting as Stannard flapped at another Beavon corner, with Brown blasting home the loose ball from ten yards.
Any hope of Mackay’s men mounting a second half fightback evaporated within five minutes of the interval as Steve Terry’s 25 yard free-kick was deflected past Stannard to give Northampton an unassailable advantage – to the joy of Sixfields’ biggest gate of the season. The Northampton fans’ cries of ‘Are you watching Jimmy Hill?’ rung out for the rest of an afternoon that would have angered the Fulham chairman and TV pundit. Udo Onwere did at least add some desire to the midfield when he replaced the off-colour Nebbeling, but when the ball did eventually get to Eckhardt in a shooting position, the Welshman comically lost his footing on the edge of the box.
Farrell, who had an unsuccessful loan stint here two seasons ago, did head a consolation when Onwere flicked on a Simon Morgan free-kick but there were no positives to take from this chastening defeat. Cottagers’ coach Ray Lewington, a former player and manager during the club’s darkest days, admitted afterwards:
“We have a lot to do on the training field. While you can’t give players heart, you can give them a sense of organisation. We haven’t played well for a long time and it’s time to get it right.”
NORTHAMPTON TOWN: Richardson; Curtis, Beavon, Harmon, Angus, Terry, Burnham, Wilkin, Bell, Brown, Chard. Subs (not used): Scott, Benton.
BOOKED: Harmon.
GOALS: Wilkin (25), Brown (45), Terry (49).
FULHAM: Stannard; Morgan, Thomas, Nebbeling (Onwere 55), Pike, Marshall, Eckhardt, Tierling, Hails, Lewis (Newson 74), Farrell.
BOOKED: Nebbeling, Onwere.
GOAL: Farrell (72).
REFEREE: Michael James (Horsham).
ATTENDANCE: 4,823.
