FA Cup photo essay – Middlesbrough v Oxford United in the fifth round

10 March 2017 18:10
The Guardian photographer Christopher Thomond is documenting the road to Wembley, starting with his local team Stockport County in the first round and following the winning side from each game, all the way to the final. Here is the fifth-round tie, when League One side Oxford United went to the Riverside to take on MiddlesbroughCheck out Chris’ FA Cup Road To Wembley project so farMiddlesbrough scraped into the FA Cup sixth round after fending off a second-half comeback from League One Oxford United at the Riverside, who were cheered on by more than 3,000 travelling fans.It took the emergence of the heavy artillery from the bench to prevent an unwanted replay, with Cristhian Stuani’s winner settling a fascinating tie and sending Boro into the quarter-finals, after Oxford had fought back from 2-0 down.Come on lads, all your match scarves now, all your match day colours. All hand-knitted in Middlesbrough, polyester cashmere. All your finest. All your match scarves, any style you want fella ... £6, any one you want mate, which one would you like? A Gibson? Good choice mate, when he’s England captain these will be a tenner. Enjoy the match fella – scarf-seller Liam Chaney (stall above)We’ve been to all the cup matches this year. We’re going all the way. We’ll beat Oxford at home today then it’s Wembley all the way. We’re going to win the FA Cup for the first time, we’ve never won at Wembley. We won under the roof at Cardiff but it wasn’t the same. Being a Middlesbrough supporter you get used to that kind of setback, that’s just what happens. This year is going to be different – Middlesbrough fans Kevin Izzy and Lee Kevloski (above)This is Dougie. He’s a pyrotechnic and drug detection dog. We cover the big games here. It’s more and more common today to use the dogs because it costs the clubs a lot of money if even a single flare gets let off - Dougie’s handler, Tony WalkerI’ve been going to matches all my life. I was at the Newcastle match in the last round. It was brilliant we won 3-0, pity we can’t do that here. We might get a goal back but it’ll be hard. It’s good following my local team as it’s only a five minute walk to the stadium so I can see every match. I stand behind the goal at home games. I get really involved shouting for my team, cheering them on - Troy Mutton, aged 12, [wearing his Oxford United tracksuit top], speaking at half-timeI just made this at home out of a few bits and pieces to bring here especially for the match today. I’ve had a few cameras pointing at me. I’m a bit sad now but I’ll put it away ready for next year. It’s been really good coming here today. I’ve had a good day with all the fans despite the result - Oxford fan Alistair Short Continue reading......read full article

Source: TheGuardian