The FA Cup kicked off once again over the past weekend and provided us with as much action as we expected from the world’s oldest club competition. Numerous non-league clubs had the monumental task of dispatching league opposition, with some faring better than others. Stockport County, Guiseley and Maidstone United were among those to safely make their passage to Round Two, along with the rest of those who make up the 20 fixtures that will be played in the second round in a couple of weeks time.
Giant Killers and Safe Passers
Stockport Big Winners on Yeovil Trip
The biggest shock of the weekend surely took place at Huish Park as National League North side Stockport County came from behind to beat League Two outfit Yeovil Town.
It all started so well for the Glovers, going ahead after just eight minutes through Alex Fisher. It looked as though it would be a routine win from there on in, but the magic of the cup was alive in Somerset.
Two goals in a stunning four-minute period saw Stockport miraculously take the lead as a complacent Yeovil side stood stunned. Matthew Warburton and Nyal Bell got the goals that sent the former full-time side into the break with the lead.
The hosts spurned plentiful opportunities as the second half began, but a horror show at the back gifted the visitors their third. A mix-up between the goalkeeper and defence allowed Frank Mulhern to steal the ball and run unchallenged into an empty net.
Stockport held out for a famous win and will face either Tranmere Rovers or Oxford City in Round Two.
Guiseley Edge Thriller Over Cambridge
Also representing the National League North against League Two opposition were Guiseley. The Lions, who sit 14th in the league, must have thought they were dreaming when Will Hatfield’s stunner and Cliff Moyo’s cross-shot gave them a 2-0 lead.
Nothing, then, could have prepared them for the shock they felt come the 55th minute. Just ten minutes into the second half, Kaine Felix and Kingsley James had added to the scoreline to give the non-leaguers an unbelievable 4-0 lead. There was more drama to come, though.
Jabo Ibhere reduced the arrears when a cross was punched into his leg by the Guiseley goalkeeper, and the lead was halved on the stroke of the 90th minute when former Guiseley man George Maris curled in from the edge of the box.
Just the two goals would have had fans nervous that the hosts were going to undo all of their hard work, so a third goal for Cambridge and a second for Ibehre must have had them petrified. Thankfully, luck was on their side this time and they held out for a famous victory.
AFC Wimbledon and Newport County Avoid Upsets
AFC Wimbledon were tasked with opening this season’s competition on Friday night as their away fixture with Haringey Borough was shown live on BBC 2. They dominated the game for large parts but Haringey had their chances, particularly when they had a goal narrowly ruled out for offside.
Mitch Pinnock came close to breaking the deadlock when his stunning free-kick grazed the top of the bar, but he proved to be the matchwinner late on when his deflected strike looped over Valery Pajetat, who had performed so admirably in the Haringey goal.
Also vying to avoid an embarrassing defeat were Newport County, who made the trip to Metropolitan Police. The Met also put on a good showing for their home fans at Imber Court, but their league opposition made their class show.
The prolific Padraig Amond squeezed a shot underneath the goalkeeper just before the break and Jamille Matt doubled the lead just after, tapping in a rebound after a good save.
To compound things for the Met, Louis Birch received a red card prior to stoppage time, but they saw out the game with just the two-goal disadvantage.
All Results
Haringey Borough 0-1 AFC Wimbledon
Southend United 1-1 Crawley Town
Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Carlisle United
Morecambe 0-0 FC Halifax Town
Luton Town 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Exeter City 2-3 Blackpool
Sutton United 0-0 Slough Town
Rochdale 2-1 Gateshead
Walsall 3-2 Coventry City
Metropolitan Police 0-2 Newport County
Barnsley 4-0 Notts County
Accrington Stanley 1-0 Colchester United
Tranmere Rovers 3-3 Oxford City
Oxford United 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
Bury 5-0 Dover Athletic
Yeovil Town 1-3 Stockport County
Lincoln City 3-2 Northampton Town
Chesterfield 1-1 Billericay Town
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Stevenage
Southport 2-0 Boreham Wood
Bromley 1-3 Peterborough United
Grimsby Town 3-1 MK Dons
Aldershot Town 1-1 Bradford City
Scunthorpe United 2-1 Burton Albion
Torquay United 0-1 Woking
Swindon Town 2-1 York City
Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Cheltenham Town
Maidstone United 2-1 Macclesfield Town
Maidenhead United 0-4 Portsmouth
Port Vale 1-2 Sunderland
Weston Super Mare 0-2 Wrexham
Guiseley 4-3 Cambridge United
Hitchin Town 0-2 Solihull Moors
Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Salford City
Barnet 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Alfreton Town 1-4 Fleetwood Town
Chorley 2-2 Doncaster Rovers
Mansfield Town 1-1 Charlton Athletic
Hampton & Richmond 1-2 Oldham Athletic
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