The FA Cup evokes memories, both euphoric and painful in equal measure, for Matt Doherty.
The Irishman and the world’s oldest football competition hold a tight bond. Doherty has played 35 times in the competition – the first being his senior debut at 18. He’s scored 11 FA Cup goals, including one in a Wembley semi-final which developed into his darkest day in the sport.
Tomorrow at Molineux Wolves and Liverpool do battle in the FA Cup and it’s a tie Doherty has twice won before with the Old Gold – the first as a Championship shock in 2017, and the second amidst the time of his life under Nuno Espirito Santo two years later.
As Doherty prepares for Friday’s tie in the Compton Park dressing room, reflections turn to the club’s 2019 journey to the FA Cup semi-finals. In a fast-moving sport, reminiscing isn’t always commonplace. Besides, no player remains from that era and only Rui Pedro Silva on the staff, having, like Doherty, returned for a second stint with the club.
In truth, the quarter-final victory over Manchester United – cited by some as the pinnacle of Nuno’s era – arguably dwarfs the third-round victory against Liverpool that year. But a Raul Jimenez slotted finish, a Ruben Neves banger and Wolves upsetting a ‘top six’ side has a feel of familiarity to it.
For Doherty, it’s hard not to think of days gone by, and the FA Cup more than anything brings the fond memories flooding back each and every year.
“They were just the days, I'll never forget them,” he said. “I still speak to those lads and it's just never got better than that for some of us. We were in our peak, young, fully confident, no baggage at all. Oh man, those days were so good, you couldn't wait to play the next game. Those days are gone now, but they were pretty good back then.
“Our record against the so-called big teams was really good. I had some friends who played for other teams, and they’d say whenever Wolves were playing against one of the top six, it just felt like a big game, and that's obviously a huge compliment to us at the time, hence why we finished seventh two years in a row, and threatened to finish higher.
“We were just playing so good – we were so good at times under Nuno. Coads spoke to a few of the boys from Man United, and they said they used to hate playing against us. They didn't know what to do against us, because I don’t think United beat us that often around that period. It was a three-year cycle of the best time of our lives, really.”
Doherty, like many in that period of time, was transformed under Nuno and his staff. In the 2018/19 FA Cup campaign alone, the wing-back scored four and assisted three. Flying in the Premier League, the cup run gave Wolves added excitement and that victory over United in the last eight had people dreaming – supporters and players alike.
Now time for three words which will send shivers down the spine – Watford at Wembley. Wolves backed themselves, as did the 45,000 supporters in the capital, and for 79 minutes it was the perfect performance for the big occasion. Typically, Doherty had opened the scoring, ghosting in at the back post to head in Diogo Jota’s cross. Then, by 62 minutes he had an assist for Raul Jimenez.
Then the unthinkable happened. Watford made it 2-1 on 79 minutes and in injury time Wolves did what they never did and threw it away. Leander Dendoncker clattered into Troy Deeney and his penalty made it 2-2. The Hornets used their almighty momentum to win it in extra time and now, seven years later, it’s still the toughest pill to swallow.
“I spoke to ‘Coads’ not too long ago about the semi-final and we’re still not over it. Still, I don't even want to talk about that semi-final. The lead-up to it was great, and then just stop it there. It should have been us in that final, that’s all.
“It was literally the worst. We played Southampton the week after, and I was so flat, thinking that we could have been in the FA Cup final. We didn’t lose games when leading, that's what it felt like. We were 2-0 up with 11 minutes to go. I’ll never get over that. It was just so out of character for us to give that up at the time. I’m going to have to live with that one forever.
“At the end of the day, everyone's family had a great 79 minutes out at Wembley. I remember so many people were there, and, on my side, they get to see me score. If you could go back in time, we had so many games I'd love to relive.”
On Friday, like in 2019, Wolves are hosting Liverpool under the Molineux lights in the FA Cup. There’s a different feel to it. The Premier League has been arduous, but the FA Cup offers a fresh opportunity.
Doherty will hope to be involved, and he knows, at this place, with these supporters, anything is possible, and the opportunity to enjoy a classic Molineux night, in the style of 2019, is something he’s hungry for.
“It's an opportunity to win a game. You’ve got to finish the season with momentum to take it into the summer, into pre-season.
“I think the fans this season have been unbelievable, honestly, home and away. Sometimes I'll do the huddle pre-game, if I'm playing, and I'll just talk about the fact that they’re still following us, even in the position that we're in, still selling out away ends, so if we could do something special for them this year, aside from everything else, that would be pretty good.
“I hope it's full, because that makes a difference in the game. A full-force Molineux atmosphere, it just does make a difference. I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere, and I'm sure the place will be bouncing, and then it's up to us.”
