The FA Cup Thread 2024

[Trollheart]

Team name: Curzon Ashton v Mansfield Town
Home city or town: Ashton-under-Lyne v Mansfield
Area: Manchester v Nottinghamshire
Nicknames: The Nash v The Stags
Match played at: Tameside Stadium
Managers: Craig Mahon v Nigel Clough
Currently playing in: National League North v EFL League 1
Tier: 6 v 3
Expectations:* There's a massive gulf between the teams here, three tiers, though both have taken major scalps, Curzon Ashton beating Exeter City in 2009, while Mansfield have to look back sixty years to their only big success, when they took down West Ham in the Summer of Love. The visitors have progressed further though, and again I would see experience telling.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Third round/Fifth round

The home side could have had a penalty early but the defender timed his tackle perfectly, and the ref saw nothing wrong with it. But on the quarter-hour it was Mansfield who were awarded a spot kick for handball, Ashton with a man sent off to compound their misery. Not much hope for the non-league team now. Atkins scored and put Mansfield ahead, to boos from the home crowd.


Quinn made certain on the half-hour, giving his team a pretty unassailable 2-0 lead for eleven men, never mind ten. Evans came close to tripling their tally in the first half, and the Nash must have been praying for full time as their goal was consistently battered by Mansfield. Ashton just couldn't get near the ball as Mansfield showed the difference in their standings, taking their third while the home team fumed over a free kick they thought they should have had. Quinn added a forth in the dying moments to give the Nash no chance, and the Stags march proudly on.

Result: Curzon Ashton 0 - 4 Mansfield Town
Scorer(s): Akins, Waine, Quinn (2) (MAN)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings total so far: 4

Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R4  W4

[Trollheart]

Team name: Wycombe Wanderers v York City
Home city or town: High Wycombe v York
Area: Buckinghamshire v Yorkshire
Nicknames: The Chairboys v The Minstermen
Match played at: Adams Park
Managers: Matt Bloomsfield v Adam Hinschelwood
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v National League
Tier: 3 v 5
Expectations:* Interesting. Though they're separated by two tiers, as we know, this often counts for little in the FA Cup, and a better guide to form is how each team did in that tournament. And both did well, each reaching the semis and each grabbing major giant killings on the way, York defeating West Brom, Middlesbrough and Arsenal, while their opponents took down Grimsby Town, Wimbledon, Wolves and Leicester. Could be a hard-fought match, and I would say perhaps another draw.

Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Semi-finals

A penalty opened this match, awarded to Wycombe, who duly put it away to take the lead, and they were soon two up, but York, though playing two tiers below them, are top of their own league, and they hit back with a fine shot on the half hour. A free for the hosts in the second half re-established their two-goal lead, and though York pulled another back in the fourth minute of added time, it's Wycombe who go through.
 
Result: Wycombe Wanderers 3 - 2 York City
Scorer(s): Leahy (2), Kodua (WYC), Sinclair, Felix (YOR)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings total so far:  4

Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R4  W5

[Trollheart]

Team name: Bradford City v Aldershot Town
Home city or town: Bradford v Aldershot
Area: West Yorkshire v Hampshire
Nicknames: The Bantams v The Shots
Match played at: Valley Parade
Managers: Graham Alexander v Tommy Widdrington
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v National League
Tier: 4 v 5
Expectations:* A lot of pluses on Bradford's side here. Not only are they playing on a higher tier than the Shots, they have gone on to win the FA Cup and have defeated major league opposition such as Chelsea, Newcastle and Sunderland. The Bantams have also been in the Premier League. I don't see the visitors getting much out of this one.

Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Final/Fourth round

Aldershot took a shock lead in the first half, stunning Valley Parade, but this didn't spur the Bantams to any sort of response until the second half, when Oliver shot into an empty net after the keeper had gone walkabout. An easier goal than that he's unlikely to score in his life. Parity restored, but could Bradford hold that, and more to the point, get another to make themselves safe? Well, as it happened, yes they could, but they had a lot of help from the visitors, as the ball was turned into the Shots' own net by Maghoma, who could only lie face-down on the ground, probably unwilling to face his team mates.

Bradford made sure just after the hour when Kavanagh put the seal on what had been, after all, not the easy victory the Bantams had probably been anticipating. Still, they're through and Aldershot are out.



Result: Bradford City 3 - 1 Aldershot Town
Scorer(s): Oliver, Maghoma (og), Kavanagh (BRA), Barham (ALD)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings total so far: 4

Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R5  W5

[Trollheart]

Team name: Burton Albion v Scarborough Athletic
Home city or town: Burton-on-Trent v Scarborough
Area: Staffordshire v South Yorkshire
Nicknames: The Brewers v The Seadogs
Match played at: Pirelli Stadium
Managers: Mark Robinson v Jonathan Greening
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v National League North
Tier: 4 v 6
Expectations:* On paper, the advantage would seem to be with the home team, who have beaten Middlesbrough and advanced further in previous competitions. I feel they will win, but not by a huge margin.

Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Third round/First round

Just the one goal settled this, and it came from the home side, who had nevertheless to wait till the second half before Kalinauskas netted with twenty minutes to go, consigning the Northern Premier League side to a despondent drive back to the Yorkshire coast.

Result: Burton Albion 1 - 0 Scarborough Athletic
Scorer(s): Kalinauskas (BTN)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings total so far: 4

Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R6  W5

[Trollheart]

Team name: Tranmere Rovers v Oldham Athletic
Home city or town: Tranmere v Oldham
Area: Merseyside v Manchester
Nicknames: Rovers v Adics
Match played at: Prenton Park
Managers: Nigel Adkins v Micky Mellon
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v National League
Tier: 4 v 5
Expectations:* This could be hard to call. Oldham have gone further in the Cup, and both have killed giants, Oldham taking Liverpool and Tranmere defeating West Ham, Sunderland, Fulham, Everton and Southampton. It's also going to, I assume, be seen as a grudge match, Liverpool v Manchester as it were, and may be heavily contested. I see this as a draw, but not a nil-nil by any means.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Quarter-finals/Semi-finals

Tranmere were ahead on 9 minutes with what can only be called a ball rolled into the goal, seemed to move in slow motion, but it hit the far corner and the Merseyside team were one to the good. Oldham though scored themselves near the end of the half, and now it was really a case of who, if anyone, could score next, surely the goal that would win the game. It turned out to be the visitors, who took it on the hour, and progress to the next round.



Result: Tranmere Rovers 1 - 2 Oldham Athletic
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 5
Scorer(s): Jennings (TRA), Norwood, Uchegbulam (OLD)
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R6 W6

[Trollheart]

Team name: Rochdale v Bromley
Home city or town: Rochdale v Bromley
Area: Manchester v London
Nicknames: The Dale v  The Lillywhites
Match played at: Spotland Stadium
Managers: Jimmy McNulty v Andy Woodman
Currently playing in: National League v EFL League 2
Tier: 5 v 4
Expectations:* Given both the gulf in leagues and their superior performance in previous FA Cups, I would expect Rochdale to take this.
Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Fifth round/First round

Another seven-goal thriller as National League side Rochdale played host to high-flying League 2 Bromley, the match hotly contested between the two. The visitors scored first, though it must be said they took their time. I mean, nineteen seconds. Come on lads, what were you doing for the first eighteen? Not a good start for the Dale, and it got worse two minutes later when the visitors were two ahead, Rochdale looking very naive in defence.

That naivete wore off though halfway through the first period when Rochdale struck back to reduce Bromley to a one-goal lead, wiping that out completely in the second half as they levelled the game. Surely the advantage was with the home side now and they would go on to push for a win? And so, it seemed, they did, as they scored their third, however in stoppage time Bromley did some levelling of their own, and then as extra time loomed Bromley put the finishing touches on their day, taking the lead, and the match, and dumping Rochdale out of the Cup.

Result: Rochdale 3 - 4 Bromley
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 5
Scorer(s): Beckwith, Gordon, Henderson (ROC), Whiteley (2), Cheek, Amantli (BRO)
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R6 W7

[Trollheart]

Team name: Walsall v Bolton Wanderers
Home city or town: Walsall v Bolton
Area: West Midlands v Manchester
Nicknames: The Saddlers v The Trotters
Match played at: Poundland Bescot Stadium
Managers: Matt Sadler v Ian Evatt
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v EFL League 1
Tier: 4 v 3
Expectations:*  I would see Bolton taking this. Though both teams have seen off major opposition, the list of giants Bolton have killed is huge, including many of the clubs now at the top of the Premier League, like Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City. Also, Bolton have actually won an FA Cup, whereas the best Walsall have managed is the Fifth round.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Fifth round/Winners

Though they dominated the first half, it wasn't till the second that Bolton scored, Walsall replying quickly to equalise, and then, as extra time beckoned, the home side scored in the first minute of added time to take the tie and dump Bolton out of the Cup. Didn't see that coming.


Result: Walsall 2 - 1 Bolton
Scorer(s): Gordon, Jellis (WAL), Sheehan (BOL)
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 6
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R6 W8

[Trollheart]

Team name: Grimsby Town v Wealdstone
Home city or town: Cleethorpes v Ruislip
Area: Lincolnshire v London
Nicknames: The Mariners v The Stones
Match played at: Blundell Park
Managers: David Artell v Matt Taylor
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v National League
Tier: 4 v 5
Expectations:* Just looking at Cup form, I would expect Grimsby to take this.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Third round/Semi-finals

Another giant killing on the cards? National League side Wealdstone came to Blundell Park at a time when the home side were in something of a slump, having failed to win their last five games in League 2. Could they capitalise on this whatever the reverse of a purple patch is? Yes they could, as Grimsby missed a penalty which allowed Wealdstone to take the match in the last minute of normal time and dump the Mariners out of the Cup. Misery heaped upon misery for Grimsby, who are certainly feeling grim (sorry) but a stone cold (sorry again) performance from the National League side, who take down their own Goliath and go marching on into the second round.


Result: Grimsby Town 0 - 1 Wealdstone
Scorer(s): Reid (WEA)
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 7
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R6 W9

[Trollheart]

Team name: Bristol Rovers v Weston-super-Mare
Home city or town: Bristol v Weston-super-Mare
Area: Bristol v Somerset
Nicknames: The Pirates v The Seagulls
Match played at: Memorial Stadium
Managers: Matt Taylor v Scott Bartlett
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v National League South
Tier: 3 v 6
Position (if available) or Form:++
Expectations:* You never can tell, of course, but on form I would see Bristol Rovers breezing past Weston-super-wotsit.
Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Quarter-finals/Second round

Seagulls attacking Pirates? You can usually assume the birds are going to come off worst in that match, and so it was when non-league Weston-super-Mare came to Bristol Rovers' home port. They didn't disgrace themselves, scoring at least, but Rovers took the lead three minutes before halftime, the Seagulls equalising just after the hour, no doubt seeing a giant killing in their sights.

And they nearly did it in normal time, Reed just shooting wide of the home side's net in the dying moments, but saved by the keeper and into extra time the game went. Rovers soon reestablished control when they scored in the first five minutes, and finished off a fine performance with the final kick of the match, dumping the Seagulls overboard and sailing on to their next target. Avast, me hearties! Or something.

Result: Bristol Rovers 3 - 1 Weston-super-Mare
Scorer(s): Lindsey, Taylor, Ward (BRR), Bastin (WSM)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far:  7
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R7 W9

[Trollheart]

Team name: MK Dons v AFC Wimbledon
Home city or town: Milton Keynes v Wimbledon
Area: Buckinghamshire v London
Nicknames: The Dons v The Dons. Um.
Match played at: MK Stadium
Managers: Scott Lindsey v Johnnie Jackson
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v EFL League 2
Tier: 3 v 4
Expectations:* Well who the hell knows? This will be the grudge match of the tournament, as already explained. Also the only match in which both the teams have the same Nicknames. Could get messy, and I am definitely NOT calling this one! Let the chips fall where they may. Note: I haven't filled in the Giant Killings/Best FA Cup Run categories, again for obvious reasons.
Giant Killers?** N/A
Best FA Cup run: N/A

Let's just say hands may not have been shaken before this match (though in fairness, they probably were) and I would expect some pretty crunching tackles. After all, apart from the sizzling rivalry between what are essentially now the two halves of Wimbledon F.C., this was the breeding ground for that spawn of the footballing devil, one Vincent Jones! I'm sure he'd have been glowering from Hollywood and urging on whichever half of the team he used to play for he supports now.

I had not expected a cagey affair, but that's what we got as it took some time for the match to come to life. When it did, it was the visitors (most would say the originals) who scored first, no doubt to the fury of the home fans. They had more reason to grind their collective teeth as the second half opened, when AFC Wimbledon grabbed a second, Vinny either grinning or smashing things, quite possibly loading up a shotgun and booking a ticket to Milton Keynes. If you see this man, do not approach: he is considered angry and dangerous!

But it wouldn't be any sort of a Wimbledon match without a red card, now would it, and true to form, the hosts had a man sent off for a second yellow, a tackle the Hollywood hard man would have been proud of probably. Down to ten now, it seemed about as likely that MK Dons would pull one back as their ex-player becoming a famous movie star. Wait, what? They didn't of course score, and in fact were lucky not to go three down, but in the end they were kicked out of the FA Cup just as, the visitors might say, they were kicked out of Wimbledon. Ah, revenge is sweet, even without the lock, stock, and one or more barrels, smoking or otherwise!


Result: MK Dons 0 - 2 AFC Wimbledon
Scorer(s): Stevens, Omar Bugiel (WIM)
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 8
Prediction turned out to be: N/A
Predictions so far: R7 W9

[Trollheart]

Team name: Stockport County v Forest Green Rovers
Home city or town:  Stockport v Nailsworth
Area: Manchester v Gloucestershire
Nicknames: The Hatters v The Green
Match played at: Edgeley Park
Managers: Dave Challinor v Steve Cotteril
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v National League
Tier: 3 v 6
Expectations:* INteresting to see that Forest Green are the ones credited with a giant killing, this being Rotherham United, while the League 1 side has none. But then Stockport have got to the fifth round whereas Rovers have only managed the third. Somehow, for some reason, I think it might be the visitors' day though, and I'm going for them.
Giant Killers?** No/Yes
Best FA Cup run: Fifth round/Third Round

Despite the disparity between the two teams, it wasn't till after the hour that Stockport broke the deadlock, Forest accepting the gift as County were caught in possession and Doidge did not waste the chance. That forced the game, which the home side should easily have won, into extra time, Stockport calming their jitters as they scored again to take the tie and assure themselves of a place in the second round.


Result: Stockport County 2 - 1 Forest Green Rovers
Scorer(s): Horsfall, Wooton (STO), Doidge (FOR)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 8
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R7 W10

[Trollheart]

Team name: Reading v Fleetwood Town
Home city or town: Reading v Fleetwood
Area: Berkshire v Lancashire
Nicknames: The Royals v The Fishermen
Match played at: Madejski Stadium
Managers: Ruben Selles v Charlie Adam
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v EFL League 2
Tier: 3 v 4
Expectations:* On paper Reading should take this, but despite being a tier higher than Fleetwood, and advancing further, they haven't any major league scalps to boast of. Hell, I'm going to go for the little guy again.
Giant Killers?** No/Yes
Best FA Cup run: Semi-finals/Fifth round

Nothing of merit happened in the first half, but three minutes into the second and the game came to life as the home side scored, their second coming courtesy of a Fleetwood own goal. Players only love you when they're playing, eh? And Fleetwood were not, and so out they go and Reading march on.


Result: Reading 2 - 0 Fleetwood Town
Scorer(s): Bindon, Odobeku (og) (REA)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 8
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R7 W11

[Trollheart]

Team name: Stevenage v Guiseley
Home city or town: Stevenage v Guiseley
Area: Hertfordshire v West Yorkshire
Nicknames: The Boro v The Lions
Match played at: The Lamex Stadium
Managers: Alex Lavell v Mark Bower
Currently playing in: EFL League 1 v Northern Premier League
Tier: 3 v 6
Position (if available) or Form:++
Expectations:* Not so sure about this one. Both are giant killers, so once more I'll root for the underdog.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Fifth round/Second round

Another game that ended in a draw, went to extra time and the teams could still not be separated, leaving penalties looming. Pretty good for non-league Guiseley, to hold Stevenage from football's third tier to 120 minutes and then only lose by one spot kick. Stevenage struck first, halfway through the first period, and though there were vociferous calls for a handball by the opposing team and fans, the goal stood. Guiseley hit back through the hilariously-named Longbottom after a bad mistake by the Stevenage defender, and pushed the match into extra time.

Nothing further after the 30 minutes were up, so it was time to choose the players who might become heroes on either side. Guiseley missed one penalty of four, to make it sudden death, and their fifth was saved, so Stevenage scrape through on penalties, but it was a close run thing.

Result: Stevenage 1 - 1 Guiseley (Stevenage win 5-4 on penalties)
Scorer(s): Red (STE), Longbottom (GUI)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 8
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R7 W11

[Trollheart]

Team name: Swindon Town v Colchester United
Home city or town: Swindon v Colchester
Area: Wiltshire v Essex
Nicknames: The Robins v The U's
Match played at: The County Ground
Managers: Mark Kennedy v Danny Cowley
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v EFL League 2
Tier: 4 v 4
Expectations:* A good pedigree from both teams. I think this may be a draw.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Semi-finals/Quarter-finals

A level playing field, so to speak, as both teams play in EFL League 2,very much so. Swindon are third from bottom and looking at relegation, while Colchester are a mere place above them. It was the U's who scored first halfway through the first period and they held Swindon till eight minutes from time. The visitors must have thought they had done enough to earn a place in round two, but the pesky Robins pecked back and a late goal sent the game into extra time.

In the end, it was the home side who took the tie, 106 minutes on the clock before Swindon scored again, dumping out their league mates, and booking their ticket to the second round.

Result:Swindon 2 - 1 Colchester
Scorer(s): McGregor, Tshimanga (SWI), Anderson (COL)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 8
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R8 W10

[Trollheart]

Team name: Salford City v Shrewsbury Town
Home city or town: Salford v Shrewsbury
Area: Manchester v Shropshire
Nicknames: The Ammies v The Shrews
Match played at: Moor Lane
Managers: Karl Robinson v Paul Hurst
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v EFL League 1
Tier: 4 v 3
Expectations:* Both are giant killers, but I think Shrewsbury Town's further progress in the Cup may stand to them.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: First round/Quarter-finals

Salford were ahead in the first five minutes, but failed to capitalise on their strong start and let the Shrews in to level the game ten minutes later. The home side put the game to bed though just before half time, both goals scored by the same player, and assured their progress to the second round.


Result: Salford 2 - 1 Shrewsbury Town
Scorer(s): Lund (2) (SAL), Marquis (SHR)
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 9
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R8 W11