Ipswich Town v Arsenal – 1978 FA Cup Final. DVD

Ipswich Town v Arsenal – 1978 FA Cup Final

The 1970’s finals were rapidly becoming the decade of shocks, and the 1978 final, somewhat unfairly went down as another major turn-up, as Ipswich Town put a disappointing league campaign behind them, shrugged off the underdog tag and took the match to Arsenal.

Despite a season of struggle, Ipswich boss Bobby Robson boasted a side which had finished the previous year in third place in the league, and on their day, were more than a match for any side, and so it proved in their first ever Cup final appearance.

Three times Ipswich hit the woodwork, with John Wark and Paul Mariner displaying their international class; Kevin Beattie and George Burley both had headers superbly saved by Pat Jennings, and the back-line kept Arsenal’s attacking prowess at bay.

The breakthrough eventually came with only thirteen minutes remaining, when David Geddis’ cross fell into the path of Roger Osborne, who drilled home a first-time shot.

Roger Osborne’s over-enthusiastic celebration caused him to faint, but few minded as the F.A. Cup headed to Suffolk for the very first time.