ROCKY READY TO KNOCK-OUT LIVERPOOL
Havant and Waterlooville, the only non-League club remaining in the FA Cup, will play on the hallowed turf of Anfield on Saturday against the might of seven-time winners Liverpool in the Fourth Round.
The south coast team, who currently compete in the Blue Square Conference South division - five rungs lower than Rafael Benitez's side, defeated League One table-toppers Swansea City in the Third Round.
Swansea had lost only once in 23 games until they visited Havant's Westleigh Park last week. And the thought of Liverpool in the next round proved incentive enough for Shaun Gale's team.
Star striker Rocky Baptiste had forced a replay by scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium. And he netted in the 4-2 victory replay too, inspired by the prospect of playing against the team he supported as a lad.
"This has got to be the best moment of my career," the 35-year-old beamed. "We went through all the emotions against Swansea. But now we have beaten them and are on our way to Anfield.
"Swansea had called us a pub team before the match so I think we were up for it a bit more.
"We had champagne brought into the changing room after the match, and most people didn't leave the ground until half eleven - I didn't get home until 1.30am!"
Former Chelsea junior Rocky, christened Jairzinho by his uncle ("My uncle was a big fan of the Brazilians of the 70s"), has never visited Anfield, despite the fact that he has always supported the Reds.
He continued: "Liverpool are my dream team - the team that I support. I've never been to Anfield though - this will be my first time. It's a dream come true really.
"I have supported Liverpool from a young age. Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan and John Barnes were my heroes - I used to pretend to be those guys when I was in my back yard, or in the school playground.
"I'm looking forward to playing against Jamie Carragher and Stevie Gerrard. All my family are coming up to Liverpool - I am getting pestered for tickets all the time at the moment! It is going to be an amazing weekend."
Havant and Waterlooville, the only non-League club remaining in the FA Cup, will play on the hallowed turf of Anfield on Saturday against the might of seven-time winners Liverpool in the Fourth Round.
The south coast team, who currently compete in the Blue Square Conference South division - five rungs lower than Rafael Benitez's side, defeated League One table-toppers Swansea City in the Third Round.
Swansea had lost only once in 23 games until they visited Havant's Westleigh Park last week. And the thought of Liverpool in the next round proved incentive enough for Shaun Gale's team.
Star striker Rocky Baptiste had forced a replay by scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium. And he netted in the 4-2 victory replay too, inspired by the prospect of playing against the team he supported as a lad.
"This has got to be the best moment of my career," the 35-year-old beamed. "We went through all the emotions against Swansea. But now we have beaten them and are on our way to Anfield.
"Swansea had called us a pub team before the match so I think we were up for it a bit more.
"We had champagne brought into the changing room after the match, and most people didn't leave the ground until half eleven - I didn't get home until 1.30am!"
Former Chelsea junior Rocky, christened Jairzinho by his uncle ("My uncle was a big fan of the Brazilians of the 70s"), has never visited Anfield, despite the fact that he has always supported the Reds.
He continued: "Liverpool are my dream team - the team that I support. I've never been to Anfield though - this will be my first time. It's a dream come true really.
"I have supported Liverpool from a young age. Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan and John Barnes were my heroes - I used to pretend to be those guys when I was in my back yard, or in the school playground.
"I'm looking forward to playing against Jamie Carragher and Stevie Gerrard. All my family are coming up to Liverpool - I am getting pestered for tickets all the time at the moment! It is going to be an amazing weekend."
Labels: FA Cup, Havant and Waterlooville, Liverpool, Rocky Baptiste
