1 month ago
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A NON-LEAGUE star filled in as a commentator for the BBC after being left out of the FA Cup matchday squad.
And it went exactly as you would expect when his side scored a dramatic equaliser.
BBC SportGuiseley of the seventh-tier Northern Premier League Premier Division were handed a dream draw in the first round proper away at League One Stevenage.
However, Lucas Odunston was not in the starting XI or among the substitutes for Mark Bower at the Lamex Stadium.
So instead, the 24-year-old right-back headed up to the gantry and picked up the microphone for BBC Sport.
And that prompted utterly wild scenes when the Lions found the net to make it 1-1 with just seven minutes to go on Saturday.
Following a mix-up between the Stevenage defender and goalkeeper, the ball fell perfectly for Will Longbottom.
And he made absolutely no mistake as he tapped into the empty net.
That sparked chaos in the away end – and on the gantry.
Because Odunston simply could not contain his excitement and joy.
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He could be heard over the main commentator shouting: “Oh my God,” as the ball fell kindly for Longbottom.
Then after some brilliant inaudible commentary, Odunston added: “Yeahhhh!!” before some more crazy indiscernible screaming.
Odunston then regained an ounce of composure to bellow: “Get in there!
“Oh my God.
“Ohhhh, ohhhhh. Can I go on the pitch, can I go on the pitch?”
The commentator then replied: “If you want to go my friend, you go.
“Look at the scenes here at the Lamex Stadium.
“This competition is magic because it produces moments like this.”
The clip got shared on X by BBC Sport and went viral – with dozens of fans loving the wonderful reactions from a jubilant Odunston.
Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWS
By Martin Lipton
THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with TV match money, there should be few losers.
Read more on the FA Cup.
One said: “This is the kind of energy we need on commentary! Lucas is living his best life!
“When life gives you lemons, you become a commentator! Lucas is bringing the vibes!”
Another wrote: “Classic commentary gold!”
A third added: “That’s a classic! Love seeing players getting involved even off the pitch! Lucas is bringing the energy!”
And a final user replied: “Magic of the FA Cup.”
However, despite the special scenes following the equaliser, the day did end in bittersweet fashion.
That is because Guiseley did manage a draw at Stevenage.
But with replays scrapped, it went to extra-time and then penalties, where the third-tier Boro nicked it 5-4 in the shootout to book their spot in the second-round draw.
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