Everything to lose for jinxed Magpies

It was all very different in the 1950s when Newcastle virtually made Wembley Stadium their second home. They became the first club in the 20th century to win the FA Cup in successive seasons in 1951 and 1952 when they beat Blackpool (2-0) and Arsenal (1-0) respectively and lifted the cup for third time in five seasons in 1955.

But in more recent years, the Tynesiders have known only disappointment in their Cup finals, losing in 1974 to Liverpool (0-3); in 1998 to double-winning Arsenal (0-2) and in 1999 to a treble-winning Manchester United (0-2) — without scoring a goal in any of those defeats.

They also have a poor record against non-league opposition dating back to their shock 2-1 home defeat to Bedford Town in the third round in 1964.

In another huge upset they lost 2-1 to Hereford United in a replayed third round tie in 1972 when a rocket shot from Ronnie Radford, one of the most famous FA Cup goals in history, sealed their fate.

Yeading striker Errol Telemaque, who works as a plasterer and earns 100 pounds ($187) a week playing for Yeading, summed up the occasion. ‘‘We have nothing to lose, they have plenty to lose. If we beat them I imagine (Newcastle manager) Graeme Souness would lose his job.’’

Shearer, who has missed 11 matches with a thigh injury, is almost certain to be absent again. But he will be hoping that his teammates can overcome their long FA Cup jinx and make it all the way to the final in May. (Reuters)