HEREFORD 2-1 NEWCASTLE, 1972 The Bulls charged into FA Cup history 51 years ago thanks to Radford & Co
Heref ord fans might have been forgiven for wondering if reaching the FA Cup third round in 1972 would really be worth all the effort.
After dispatching Cheltenham 3-0 to make the first round proper, the Southern League high-fliers needed two attempts to get past King’s Lynn and then another three to finally see off Fourth Division Northampton in a second replay at The Hawthorns. But their prize more than compensated the hard graft – an away trip to top-tier Newcastle.
After two postponements for rain, more than 5,000 Bulls travelled to watch the minnows silence St James’ Park with a goal after 17 seconds and go on to secure a terrific 2-2 draw.
Toon talisman Malcolm Macdonald reportedly boasted (he denies it) he’d break Ted MacDougall’s record by hitting 10 in the Edgar Street replay. Yet the weather meant the Magpies ventured south three times before the rematch kicked off on February 5 (fourth round day) in a mud bath. Few expected much drama, including rookie commentator John Motson. “I was on trial at Match of the Day for a year and I got given this game,” Motty later recalled. “Most people just thought Hereford would lose.”
It appeared they would too when Macdonald broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute. Hereford refused to back down. After winger Ricky George won the ball on the left, it was eventually cleared towards the centre circle. Bulls midfielder Ronnie Radford collected it before playing a quick one-two. The returning pass sat up nicely, 30 yards out, as the crowd urged him to shoot.
“It felt good the moment it left my boot,” Radford later remembered. “Like the sweet spot on a cricket bat or a golfer’s tee shot.” His ferocious drive flew past goalkeeper Willie McFaul and levelled the scores with five to play.
“What a goal!” shrieked Motson. “The crowd are invading the pitch and it will take some time to clear the field.” When the sea of parka-clad fans finally dispersed, the Bulls went for the kill.
Dudley Tyler’s extra-time pass picked out George in the penalty box: his swivel outfoxed a defender, then he fired beyond McFaul into the bottom corner. Edgar Street erupted, as Newcastle had no reply. Hereford’s win remains the cup’s most iconic. George won it, but Radford – who passed away in November aged 79 – has dominated every television montage since with that unforgettable howitzer. “Ronnie changed everything,” beamed Motty. “He changed his life, my life and the history of the FA Cup with that goal.”
