FA Cup 2nd round review - Dover and FC United of Manchester steal the headlines again

ANOTHER action-packed weekend of FA Cup action, saw the stars of round one, repeat the process in the second round of competitive action.  Eighteen ties went ahead, and league clubs found it difficult in the chilling sub-freezing temperatures.

Having defeated Gillingham in the first round, Dover Athletic were at it again against league opposition, this time overcoming league two side Aldershot Town 2-0.  Adam Birchall, who scored in the first round win at the Priestfield Stadium and scored eight goals previous to Saturday, added another two to his starring collection.  Dover will be disappointed however to get a trip to Huddersfield Town in round three, Huddersfield smashing Macclesfield Town 6-0, with six different goalscorers.

CREDITABLE: Nicky Platt has FC United on their way

FC United of Manchester’s amazing adventure continued, as they worked incredibly hard to earn a very creditable 1-1 draw at runaway league one leaders Brighton.  Nicky Platt, who netted in their sensational first round success against Rochdale, scored the opener for the visitors.  They were eight minutes away from another scalp, before Brighton assistant manager and 37-year old veteran Mauricio Taricco rescued an equaliser for Gus Poyet’s side.  Sam Ashton saved a last-minute penalty from Elliott Bennett to keep FC United in the tie.  The winners of the replay, at Bury’s Gigg Lane next Wednesday will take on last year’s losing finalists Portsmouth next.

SCRAP: Stevenage got the better of AFC Wimbledon

Goals from Josh Walker, who had just joined on loan from Watford and Yemi Odubade, were enough for Stevenage Borough to ease past Blue Square Premier League leaders AFC Wimbledon.  Stevenage, who had knocked out Milton Keynes Dons on penalties in round one and denied the dream match-up between Wimbledon/Dons were very strong throughout and thoroughly deserved their success, despite Wimbledon’s bravery throughout.

Both Swindon Town and Leyton Orient scrapped to 1-1 draws away from home in televised games.  Scott McGleish rescued a late equaliser for Orient against Droylsden, whilst Swindon was held by Crawley Town on Friday night.  Andy Drury grabbed a double, including a stunning equaliser to grab a replay for Luton Town at in-form Charlton Athletic.  Zamaretto Premier League side Swindon Supermarine, the lowest ranked side in the competition gave Colchester United a major scare, before succumbing to a David Mooney strike in a 1-0 defeat.  Northampton couldn’t repeat their Carling Cup success, going down 3-2 at Sheffield Wednesday, who are now under Milan Mandaric’s guidance, having taken over the club and Southampton advanced comfortably, cruising past Cheltenham Town 3-0 at St. Mary’s. 

With Arsenal v Leeds, Stevenage v Newcastle and Manchester United v Liverpool on the cards in round three, the FA Cup is now really starting to hot up.

FA Cup 1st round review - The greatest cup competition is back

THE greatest cup competition in the world returned this weekend and there were some incredible games, spectacular goals and fairytale stories that marked the first round proper of the 2010-11 FA Cup.  Clubs from the npower Leagues 1 and 2 entered along with non-league sides, who have been qualifying for this stage, some since the middle of August.

FAIRYTALE: FC United of Manchester stun Rochdale

The upset of the weekend was caused by FC United of Manchester, in the first tie of the weekend.  The club, formed by angry ex-Manchester United fans over the Glazier takeover in 2004 and therefore, has only been in existence for five years, beat League One side Rochdale 3-2 at Spotland on Friday night.  They are now only one round away from a dream tie with Manchester United in the third round.  On Saturday, Dover Athletic caused the upset of the day, as they beat Gillingham at the Priestfield in a local Kent derby.  Adam Birchall scored the goal of the day, and Luke L’Anson added a second to overcome the Gills 2-0.  It was a painful day for Andy Hessenthaler, who quit Dover in the summer and took his coaching staff over to Gillingham.  So, it was sweet revenge for his former side.

STUNNED: Dario Gradi could only look on at Crewe's shock loss

Crewe Alexandra was another league side to experience embarrassment at the weekend, as they were beaten at Tamworth 2-1.  Dario Gradi has plenty of experience, having managed Crewe for over 20 years.  However, he could only watch Alex Rodman and Danny Thomas put his League Two side to the sword.  Ashley Westwood pinched a late consolation, but it was too little, too late.  Darlington, managed by former Peterborough and Kettering manager Mark Cooper beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 in the other main upset of the weekend. 

HARD GRAFT: Sheffield Wednesday were made to work hard

Sheffield Wednesday struggled to overcome a brave Southport side in Sunday’s live terrestrial match.  The 1993 finalists were pegged back twice at Haig Avenue, before two goals from Clinton Morrison in three second half minutes helped Wednesday to an eventual 5-2 success.  2003 finalists Southampton also survived a scare, edging past Shrewsbury Town 2-0 at St. Mary’s.  The result was cruel on Shrewsbury, who conceded both goals in stoppage time to the Saints.  The current pacesetters of League One, Brighton were held to a goalless draw by non-league Woking.  Gus Poyet’s men are eight points clear in League One, but he rested several key players and it nearly backfired.  Port Vale was another side who narrowly escaped a humiliating loss, needing a late strike from John McCombe to scramble a 1-1 draw at Dartford.  It wasn’t all fairytales, as the lowest ranked side left in the competition, Hythe Town went down 5-1 at Hereford United and Tipton Town got dismantled 6-0 at Carlisle United.  The game of the day was at Dean Court, where Josh McQuoid scored a hat-trick in Bournemouth’s sensational 5-3 win over Tranmere Rovers.

The FA Cup is back and the long road to Wembley in May 2011 has only just begun.