The best of Sunday’s FA Cup ties came at Ewood Park, where League One’s Blackburn Rovers made a storming start and were three goals up on League Two’s Crewe Alexandra inside 20 minutes. But then Rekeem Harper, the Blackburn midfielder, was sent off at the same time as conceding a penalty – Chris Porter converted – and then, just before the hour, Elliott Bennett was also dismissed. Eddie Nolan soon cut the deficit to one before Porter drew Crewe level, but despite a two-man advantage, they could not force a win; the sides will contest a replay on 12 December.
There remains the possibility of a shock following events at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, home to Woking, who fell behind to League One Peterborough and then saw Jonathan Bond save Chez Isaac’s penalty. But with just six minutes remaining Joe Ward earned them a replay at London Road.
At Adams Park, Wycombe Wanderers needed late goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and Adebayo Akinfenwa to dispose of the Isthmian League’s Leatherhead, whose run in 1974-75 is also enshrined in FA Cup folklore. Leatherhead had taken the lead after eight minutes, Jack Midson dispatching a penalty, but Sam Saunders equalised with a fine free-kick. In between the two clinching goals, Sammy Moore, Leatherhead’s player-manager, inspired his players by getting himself dismissed.
Coventry City, FA Cup winners in 1987, moved serenely into the next round, three goals between the 27th and 48th minutes proving more than enough to account for Boreham Wood. The blow of defeat had, though, already been softened for the visiting supporters by the chairman’s provision of a free continental breakfast for them all.
Another former finalist, Luton Town, also enjoyed a relatively stress-free afternoon. Though it took them 40 minutes to breach Gateshead’s defence, they did so twice more inside the 90 minutes and then twice again in stoppage-time to complete a 5-0 thrashing; the goals came from Olly Lee, his brother Elliot Lee, Luke Berry, Daniel Potts and Danny Hylton. But the scoreline was overshadowed by a serious injury to the hosts’ Scott Barrow, who lost consciousness after colliding with his own goalkeeper in the buildup to the first goal – play was delayed for 15 minutes while he was treated. “He is up and talking in hospital awaiting scan results,” confirmed the club later.
Elsewhere, Lyle Taylor scored in the 70th and 81st minutes to give AFC Wimbledon a 3-1 win at home to Charlton Athletic, while at the Keepmoat Stadium, Darren Ferguson’s Doncaster Rovers saw off their fellow League One team Scunthorpe; also through are Mansfield Town – for whom Jimmy Spencer scored a hat-trick – and Newport County, who beat Guiseley and Cambridge United respectively. The draw for the third round is on Monday at 7pm.
In the second round of the women’s FA Cup, Middlesbrough were only 1-0 up at half-time against Farsley Celtic at Teesdale Park thanks to a goal from Millie Bell but ran riot in the second half, scoring seven more goals, to finish 8-1 winners. Emily Scarr recorded a 15-minute hat-trick while Holly Manders and Bianca Owens both scored twice.
Sarah Danby also registered a hat-trick for Huddersfield Town in their 7-0 home thrashing of West Bromwich Albion and Lewes beat Enfield Town by the same scoreline.
Coventry United secured their place in the third round by beating West Ham 6-1, with all the goals coming from different players. Coventry were 1-0 up at half-time but the visitors equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half only to see their opponents score five times without reply.
Bradford City and Charlton Athletic both enjoyed 5-0 wins against Long Eaton United and Queens Park Rangers respectively while Crystal Palace won 3-0 at New London Lionesses thanks to goals from Megan Chandler, Stafanie Simmons and Gemma Bryan.
Lauren Bracewell was the star for Burnley, keeping Stoke City at bay for 120 minutes in a match that was goalless after extra time, and then saving two penalties in the subsequent shootout which her side won 4-1.
Derby County needed penalties to see off Hull City after the match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes, as did Stevenage in their win against Ipswich Town.
The match between Brighouse Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Comments (…)
Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion