Soccer

Cardiff next up for Barnsley

Simon Davey is confident Barnsley can cap a fairytale run by reaching the FA Cup final after they drew Cardiff in the semi-finals…

Mon Mar 10 2008 - 00:00

Simon Davey is confident Barnsley can cap a fairytale run by reaching the FA Cup final after they drew Cardiff in the semi-finals.

The Tykes have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea in the last two rounds and must now take on their Coca-Cola Championship rivals at Wembley on the weekend of April 5th.

Manager Davey said: "You would say we wanted to avoid the Premier League side but we'd beaten two in the previous rounds so it's going to be a tough game for both teams. We're both trying to get into a final and it'll be a fantastic occasion.

"They're a good side. We played them at home this year and drew 1-1. They play very good football and we know it's going to be a tough game.

READ MORE

"But we've got to be confident after beating Liverpool and Chelsea. There's light at the end of the tunnel for both teams and we fancy our chances. We're 90 minutes away from an FA Cup final."

Swansea-born Davey has extra motivation to beat Cardiff, and he added on Sky Sports News: "They're (Swansea's) biggest rivals and being a Swansea lad it'll always be nice to put Cardiff out. I'm sure there'll be a lot of Swansea fans cheering me on."

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie was pleased with the outcome despite drawing the highest-placed of the other three teams in West Bromwich Albion.

Storrie told Sky Sports News: "We've got to be beat two of the three semi-finalists to win the cup so we have to take it as it comes. After Manchester United we can't fear anybody.

"It is unusual. On Saturday morning we were driving to Old Trafford thinking it was going to be the Alamo. Now we are 5-4 favourites — it's a funny old game, football.

"I have been in the game 20 years and this is one of the greatest results of my career.

"It was a good performance from the team and it is still pretty hard to take in."

Storrie also had words of praise for manager Harry Redknapp, who was tempted to move to Newcastle in January but opted to stay at Fratton Park.

"I think Harry had an opportunity to go to a big club. He always wanted that chance but felt a lot was still to happen from us," he said. "If we can go on and win the FA Cup it will be a great testimony to his decision."