Paulton Foiled

Paulton Rovers 0-7 Norwich City

It was one of those days when wanting Norwich City to win had you well and truly in the minority. They all wanted to be there on the off chance that this could be one of the FA Cup's biggest upsets of all time. Paulton had to bridge a gap of 119 league places, their average home league crowd is 235, City's 100 times higher than that, their manager Andrew Jones sells flowers for a living but he found himself just yards away from Champions League winner Paul Lambert. There was the traditional pre-match downpour and the cup cliches were completed by one Paulton fan who had made his own model FA Cup out of foil.

No matter how excited I have been by a match I have never had the inclination to make my own model trophy - I wonder what happens to them when the dream doesn't quite come true?

Norwich City spoiled the fun of all those wanting a shock. Grant Holt got 2, Wes Hoolahan 1 but it Chris Martin was the biggest cup scrooge, hitting four goals. With victory safe, Holt and Simon Lappin then cynically set about getting booked for the fifth time each this season. Funnily enough they managed it and will now miss the Johnstone's Paint Trophy trip to Swindon, rather than a league game. The twinkle in Paul Lambert's eye when asked about the yellow cards (Lappin for kicking the ball away and Holt for blocking the Paulton 'keeper after failing to rile the ref by arguing and kicking the ball away himself) suggested a plan had come together,although this will never be admitted publicly I am sure.

This was a day in which I experienced football at all levels. From the Paulton part-timers to Trevor Brooking's seat and then a long delay on the M4 which caused us to arrive at South Mimms services in time to queue behind Peter Crouch (in full Spurs tracksuit) fresh from playing against Sunderland. Perhaps it is an omen. Will the 'beanpole striker', as you have to call him, be waiting along the canaries metaphorical road to Wembley, rather than the actual one? Will have to get past Carlisle or Morecambe first. Whoever wins that first round replay, it's going to open up several more opportunities for celebrity spotting at service stations - we are away again!