EFL Cupsets: Round One

As always in a cup competition, there are bound to be some bigger sides being knocked out by lower league opposition, and in the first round of this season’s EFL Cup, there were certainly a few.

Here at The Sports Lowdown, we bring you a selection of some of Tuesday night’s biggest first round Cupsets:

Accrington Stanley 0-0 Bradford City ( Accrington won 11-10 on penalties)

League Two side Accrington Stanley knocked out League One opponents and cup run specialists Bradford City after a thrilling penalty shootout which consisted of 26 spot kicks.

Despite a goalless 90 minutes, Stanley were reduced to ten men in the 75th minute after goalkeeper Elliot Parish was dismissed for a foul on Felipe Morais.

The Bantams hit the woodwork twice in extra time, and Stanley’s John O’Sullivan saw his penalty saved during the same period, but after 24 spot kicks, including successful conversions from both goalkeepers, Jordan Clarke netted the winner for the hosts after Reece Webb-Foster missed his for Bradford.

Barnsley 1-2 Northampton Town (AET)

Rob Page’s Northampton needed extra time to overcome Championship opponents Barnsley.

The Tykes took the lead midway through the first half when an Adam Hammill free kick was met by the head of Josh Scowen, but the Cobblers were level through goalkeeper Adam Davies’s own goal early in the second half.

As extra time played out, which saw Barnsley man Stefan Payne hit the par, midfielder John-Joe O’Toole headed home the winner from the corner to send the Cobblers to the second round.

Birmingham City 0-1 Oxford United (AET)

League One Oxford knocked out 2011 winners Birmingham City thanks to a last minute winner from midfielder Liam Sercombe.

The U’s, who won 4-0 at Brentford in their first round fixture last season, were on the back foot for much of the first half, but began to outplay the Blues in the second.

With neither side managing to find a breakthrough in normal time, the game required an extra thirty minutes. With the additional time almost up, Sercombe headed home from a Joe Skarz cross to send Michael Appleton’s side to the second round.

Blackpool 4-2 Bolton Wanderers (AET)

Struggling Blackpool put four past Bolton as the Seasiders won their first game in this competition for seven years.

Jamie Proctor, who had hit the bar earlier in the first half, put the Trotters ahead in first half stoppage time, but two goals in four second minutes from Kevin Mellor and Brad Potts put the League Two side ahead. But as the final whistle loomed, Kaiyne Wooley forced the game into extra time.

But Blackpool were too good for Phil Parkinson’s side, and goals from Jim McAlister and John Herron sealed the win for the home side.

Cambridge United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday (AET)

An extra time winner from midfielder Luke Berry sent Cambridge through to the second round at the expense of Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

Lucas Joao put the Owls ahead early in the second half, but Piero Mingoia sent the game to extra time with a long range effort in second half injury time. It fell to Berry to slot home what proved to be the winner with just two minutes remaining.

Carlisle United 2-1 Port Vale

League Two side Carlisle progressed to the second round with a victory at home against Port Vale.

Charlie Wyke put the Cumbrians ahead midway through the first half, before Shaun Miller, who scored 16 goals for Morecambe last season, doubled the hosts advantage before the break. Anthony Grant did reduce the deficit for the visitors, but Keith Curle’s side held on.

Cheltenham Town 1-0 Charlton Athletic

A Harry Pell goal gave Cheltenham a cup upset over Charlton.

Last season, Charlton were playing in the Championship, whilst Cheltenham turned out in the National League, but following the Addicks relegation to League One and The Robins promotion to League Two, there is now just one division separating these sides.

And it was the hosts that progressed; Pell, a former Charlton player, latched on to a flick from Danny Wright to score the games only goal.

Both sides had scored in the first half, but Nicky Ajose and Wright both had effort ruled out for their respective sides for offside.

Exeter City 1-0 Brentford (AET)

Exeter progressed to the second round after the League Two side knocked out Championship outfit Brentford.

It was a historic evening for the Grecians, who fielded 15 year old defender Ethan Ampadu to make his debut and become the clubs youngest ever player.

But it took until extra time for the games only goal, a strike from Ryan Harley in the 100th minute.

Ipswich Town 0-1 Stevenage

League Two side Stevenage knocked out Championship opposition Ipswich in what was a repeat fixture from the opening round last season.

The Tractor Boys, who won last seasons encounter 2-1, fell behind in the second half when Ben Kennedy reacted quickest when goalkeeper Dean Gerken could only parry Charlie Lee’s deflected effort.

David McGoldrick saw his 25 yard effort turned behind, but Mick McCarthy’s side were unable to find an equaliser.

Oldham Athletic 2-1 Wigan Athletic

Following Wigan’s promotion to the Championship last season, they were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline against lower league opponents Oldham.

Ryan Flynn gave the Latics the lead at Boundary Park, but Northern Ireland international Will Grigg levelled before the break after Oldham failed to clear a Wigan corner.

Jake Buxton was dismissed for the visitors in first half stoppage time for a reckless challenge, and Oldham used their one mad advantage and won the game through Josh Law’s low drive seven minutes from time.

Rotherham United 4-5 Morecambe (AET)

There was a nine goal thriller at The New York Stadium as Morecambe knocked out Championship side Rotherham which included a hattrick for Jack Dunn.

Morecambe, who were involved in a few high scoring games in League Two last season, took the lead through Cole Stockton, but Greg Halford levelled from the spot in the second half. Dunn restored the Shrimps lead, but two goals in tow minutes from Jerry Yates and Anthony Forde put the hosts ahead with just seven minutes remaining.

In stoppage time with the game at 3-2, Morecambe were awarded a penalty after Dunn was fouled by Richard Wood, and the man on loan from Liverpool kept his cool to send the game into extra time.

Kevin Ellison, a former Millers player, regained the visitors lead before Dunn completed his hattrick, giving Jim Bentley’s side a two goal advantage. Yates did reduced the deficit, but Morecambe held on to progress to round two.

Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Micky Mellon’s Shrewsbury managed to progress to the second round with a win over Championship side Huddersfield.

Salop took the lead after just twenty second when AJ Leitch-Smith’s deflected effort beat goalkeeper Danny Ward, but the Terriers levelled through an Elias Kachungu header.

But with just over ten minutes remaining, Louis Dodds saw his low drive beat Ward to send the League One side through.

Walsall 0-2 Yeovil (AET)

Yeovil needed extra time but the League Two side managed to beat League One opponents Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.

After a goalless ninety minutes, an unfortunate Amadou Bakayoko own goal gave the Glovers the lead. Bakayoko came close to levelling, but his header struck the bar.

The decisive goal was a stunner; Matt Dolan struck the ball from inside his own half, lobbing Neil Etheridge to send the League Two side to the second round.