F.A Cupsets: 3rd Round

Round three of the FA Cup is where the ‘big boys’ come in. Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all enter the competition at this stage, but ultimately this leaves bigger scalps for the lower ranked sides to take. As usual in the FA Cup, there were some upsets, and here are some of those:

Friday 8 January 

Exeter City 2-2 Liverpool 

We all knew this had the potential for an upset, but I don’t think many actually felt that League Two side Exeter would take Liverpool back to Anfield for a third round replay.

With 76 places separating the sides in the football pyramid, Reds boss Jürgen Klopp decided to change eleven players for the game. And it proved costly as after just ten minutes, Grecians forward Tom Nichols poked in the opener. But an inexperienced Liverpool side leveled soon after as Jerome Sinclair’s low shot restored parity between the sides. But, in FA Cup fashion, there was a further twist when, on the stroke of half time, Lee Holmes struck home a goal directly from the corner, beating Reds keeper Adam Bogdan. But with time running out and an upset looked on the cards, Brad Smith leveled again for the Premier League side, sending the tie to a replay.

And with Exeter currently struggling in League Two after four successive defeats, it was a much improved performance from Paul Tisdale’s side, who look forward to a trip to Anfield just ten years after they held Manchester United to a goalless draw.

 

Saturday 9 January 

Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa 

Like Exeter, League Two side Wycombe welcomed Premier League opposition to their Stadium in their third round tie. But unlike the glamour and success of Liverpool, the Chairboys welcomed the top flights bottom club Aston Villa to Adams Park, and after a 1-1 draw, the Villains left having failed to win in 16 in all competitions.

But despite the negativity surrounding the Midlands club, the travelling 2,500 fans saw their side take the lead after skipper Micah Richards saw his low drive find the back of the net. But Villa, who are eleven points from Premier League safety, soon found themselves throwing away their advantage when Joe Jacobson’s penalty leveled the tie for the Chairboys.

Wycombe, who are 54 places behind Villa in the football pyramid, held on to earn a replay. The 2001 semi-finalists will have their heads held high, whilst the search for a first win under Remi Garde goes on.

 

Brentford 0-1 Walsall

Not so much a giant killing, but a lower ranked side knocking out higher opposition nonetheless. This game had an extra twist as it was the visors that knocked out their former manager, Dean Smith.

Despite the League One side progressing to the fourth round, they had to be thankful for two things in this game; one, their goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was in sensational form, and two, the winning strike from Sam Mantom.

 

Colchester United 2-1 Charlton Athletic 

Like the previous fixture, this wasn’t so much a giant killing, but another story of an underdog taking full advantage of the favourites poor form. The Addicks headed into the game having failed to win in nine, and the Championship outfit found themselves two goals down by half time against the League One strugglers.

George Moncur’s left footed strike opened the scoring for the Essex club, before striker Marvin Sordell doubled the hosts advantage. Despite being second from bottom in League One, Colchester held on until the 91st minute before Reza Ghoochannejhad found a consolation for the visitors, but managed to maintain their advantage until the final whistle, sending themselves through to the fourth round for the first time in ten years.

Eastleigh 1-1 Bolton Wanderers 

Eastleigh, the only non-league side left in the competition, were narrowly denied progressing to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s 70 year history, but have earned a replay against cash strapped Championship side Bolton.

After a goalless first half, it was the non-league Spitfires that took the lead after Wanderers defender Dorian Dervite turned a cross into his own net. But with time running out and a major upset looking likely, Bolton midfielder Darren Pratley turned in a cross with just three minutes remaining to earn a replay at the Macron Stadium.

 

Ipswich Town 2-2 Portsmouth 

League Two side and 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth were narrowly denied progression to the fourth round after a late equaliser from Championship side Ipswich.

After a goalless first half, the Tractor Boys took the lead when Tommy Oar pounced on a rebound following Brett Pitman’s effort, but when Kyle Bennett leveled for Pompey and Conor Chaplin struck home with four minutes remaining, it looked like an upset would be on the cards. Cue late drama as Ryan Fraser’s late free kick eluded everyone for a dramatic equaliser.

 

Northampton Town 2-2 MK Dons 

Like Portsmouth, Northampton are having a strong campaign in League Two, and they earned a replay after a draw at home to Championship side MK Dons.

A Ryan Cresswell own goal gave the Championship side an early lead, but two goals from Ricky Holmes early in the second half gave the Cobblers the lead. But Chris Wilder’s side, who haven’t featured in the fourth found since 2004, were forced into a replay after a late strike from Nicky Maynard.

 

West Brom 2-2 Bristol City 

A stoppage time equaliser saved Tony Pulis and his Premier League side West Brom from embarrassment as they forced a replay against Championship side Bristol City.

After a goalless first half, Baggies substitute Saido Berahino struck home the opener, but a Jonathan Kodjida header and Kieran Agard tap in gave City the lead. But five minutes into stoppage time, the Championship strugglers conceded the equaliser when James Morrison pounced on a loose ball to force a replay at Ashton Gate.

Manchester United 1-0 Sheffield United. 

OK, so this wasn’t an upset, but if it wasn’t for an injury time penalty from Wayne Rooney, Red Devil’s boss Louis van Gaal could have quite easily have been without a job by the time you read this.

The United fans, who were reluctant to make much noise following a poor run of form and resent results, only ironically cheered when midfielder Memphis Depay struck an effort towards goal in the second half. By the time the full time whistle was fast approaching, the majority of Old Trafford had left, but a stoppage time penalty, which was successfully converted by skipper Wayne Rooney, saved face for another day, but it could have been a lot worse for the Premier League side. Credit to Sheffield United.

 

Sunday 10 January 

Oxford United 3-2 Swansea City 

On Sunday, their was only one place to start; the Kassam Stadium. Oxford United became the first side of the weekend to take a Premier League scalp as they were on the right side of a five goal thriller against Swansea City .

Despite falling behind to a Jefferson Montero strike, the U’s, who are third in League Two, leveled after Liam Sercombe converted from the spot following skipper Kyle Bartley’s mistimed tackle on Alex MacDonald.

Then, a Kemar Roofe brace in the second half gave the full Kassam Stadium something more to cheer, and despite a Bafetimbi Gomis goal, the League Two side held on to progress to the fourth round.

Credit has to go to Oxford for this result. Not only did they beat Swansea, they matched the Premier League side in every department, even being on top for large parts of the game.

 

Cardiff City 0-1 Shrewsbury Town 

League One strugglers Shrewsbury knocked out Championship side Cardiff infront of a deserted Cardiff City Stadium.

Despite dominating possession, the Bluebirds fell behind in the second half from an Andy Mangan header, and despite hitting the woodwork through former Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi, the Championship outfit were unable to find an equaliser.