The FA Cup Thread 2024

[Trollheart]

Team name: Crewe Alexandra v Dagenham & Redbridge
Home city or town: Crewe v Dagenham
Area: Cheshire v London
Nicknames: The Railwaymen v The Daggers
Match played at: Cresty Road
Managers: Lee Bell/ Ben Strevens
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v National League
Tier: 4 v 5
Expectations:* Going for Crewe on this one. They got to the semi-finals and have a giant killing under their belt, even if it was back in the sixties.
Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Semi-finals/Fourth round

A penalty opened the scoring in this match, after both teams had tested each other and been unable to score for almost the entire match. In the end, it was the National League team who took the game with ten minutes of normal time remaining, dumping League 2 Crewe out of the Cup.

Result: Crewe 0 - 1 Dagenham & Redbridge
Scorer(s): Pereira (p) (DAG)
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 10
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R8 W12

[Trollheart]

Team name: Port Vale v Barnsley
Home city or town: Burslem v Barnsley
Area: South Yorkshire v Stoke-on-Trent
Nicknames: The Valiants v The Tykes
Match played at: Vale Road
Managers: Darren Moore v Darrell Clarke
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v EFL League 1
Tier: 4 v 3
Expectations:* Barnsley having already won this surely puts them in the driving seat?
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Semi-finals/Winners

Barnsley arrived to play a Port Vale side who are very much in form, top of their league. The Tykes scored first, netting within 17 minutes and settling some nerves, but had a hard fight against Vale, who equalised on the half hour. In the second half Barnsley pulled ahead again, then made it certain when they were awarded a penalty eight minutes from time, which they duly converted. A good result for the Tykes, who dump the South Yorkshire side out of the Cup.

Result: Port Vale 1 - 3 Barnsley
Scorer(s): Curtis (PTV), Roberts, Keillor-Dunne, Philips (BAR)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 10
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R9 W12

[Trollheart]

Team name: Chesterfield v Horsham
Home city or town: Chesterfield v Horsham
Area: Derbyshire v West Sussex
Nicknames: The Spireites v The Hornets
Match played at: SMH Stadium
Managers: Paul Cook v Dominic di Paola
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v Isthmian Premier League
Tier: 4 v 7
Expectations:* Possibly the largest gulf between teams, as tier 4 plays tier 7. I'd be amazed if Horsham won here, so I will go with the path of least resistance and say Chesterfield will win this easily.
Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Semi-finals/Third round

A massive gulf, as I say, separating the teams here, three full tiers as League 2 Chesterfield welcomed Isthmian Premier League side Horsham to the SMH. The Spireites started as they meant to go on, Grigg scoring his eighth of the season in the first six minutes, adding another in the first minutes of the second half, with a third coming from Dobra just after the hour. Horsham pulled one back late on, but with 5 minutes of normal time to go, it was a bridge too far and the IPL team bow out.


Result: Chesterfield 3 - 1 Horsham
Scorer(s): Grigg (2), Dobra (CHF), Dickson (HRS)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 10
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R10 W12

[Trollheart]

Team name: Southend v Charlton Athletic
Home city or town: Southend v Charlton
Area: Essex v London
Nicknames: The Shrimpers v The Addicks
Match played at: Roots Hall
Managers: Kevin Maher v Nathan Jones
Currently playing in: National League v EFL League 1
Tier: 5 v 3
Expectations:* Again, you can't ignore the fact that not only did Charlton win the Cup before, they were also in the Premier League, whereas Southend are struggling to maintain their position in a much lower league. Got to go for the Addicks.
Giant Killers?** No/Yes
Best FA Cup run: Fifth round/Winners

Sometimes, the best you can hope for as a non-league team is not to disgrace yourself when you come up against league opposition, and this was certainly true of Southend, who battled hard and made it difficult for Charlton to see them off. A beautiful long shot on ten minutes had Charlton in the lead, doubling their lead and almost getting a third before half time, and the Shrimpers looked done and down, but in added time they won a penalty and then quickly wiped out Charlton's lead with a fine goal as the second half began.

The Addicks re-established their lead soon after, but Southend weren't finished yet and an own goal at the end of normal time pushed the game into extra time. Not going down easy, Southend, or, as they say, if they were going down they were going down swinging. Twice now they had levelled, and must have been anticipating penalties before Charlton broke their stubborn resistance, and Southend hearts, in the final minute of extra time. Still, the Shrimps can stand tall on their journey back to the Essex coast.


Result: Southend 3 - 4 Charlton
Scorer(s): Bridge, Coker (p), Edwards (SOU), Leaburn, Mitchell, Godden, Yahyai (CHA)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 10
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R11 W12

[Trollheart]

Team name: Notts County v Alfreton Town
Home city or town: Nottingham v Alfreton
Area: Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire
Nicknames: The Magpies v The Reds
Match played at: Meadow Lane
Managers: Stuart Maynard v Billy Heath
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v National League North
Tier: 4 v 6
Expectations:* Okay, Notts County did win the thing, but way way back when, so I don't know what they're like now. Given that I've recently been researching Saxon England, and that I like their logo, and for no other reason, going to go for Alfreton.
Giant Killers?** No
Best FA Cup run: Winners/Second round

Within fifteen minutes it looked like an upset could be on the cards, as non-league Alfreton Town scored to give themselves a real chance, much of the credit must be due to the keeper's long ball which caught the striker perfectly in position. Sixty seconds later their lead was gone as Notts County scored, and from there on in it was all the League 2 team as they went for the win, two more goals in the second half ending Alfreton's hopes of progressing, with a penalty awarded to County five minutes from time heaping further misery on their shoulders.

The home side didn't seem to think that was enough punishment for the team from the Northern Premier League though, as they added insult to injury by bagging a fifth in the final minute, a real statement of their intent to go on and make a name for themselves in this FA Cup.


Result: Notts County 5 - 1 Alfreton Town
Scorer(s): Platt, Jatta (2), Brown (p) (NCO), Waldock (ALF)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 10
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R11 W13

[Trollheart]

Team name: Harrogate Town v Wrexham
Home city or town: Harrogate v Wrexham
Area: West Yorkshire v Wales
Nicknames: The Sulphurites v The Red Dragons
Match played at: Wetherby Road
Managers: Simon Weaver v Phil Parkinson
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v EFL League 1
Tier: 4 v 3
Expectations:* Given the impressive list of scalps the Welsh team has, and also given their Hollywood cash injection recently, I can't see Wrexham losing this.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Third round/Quarter-finals

Okay well I just have to say it, and you know I will: does sulphur work against a dragon? Not for the first shot on target, which the Harrogate keeper saved anyway, nor the second or third, the League 1 side keeping out the Welsh high-flyers. Mind you, defending was all the Sulphurites were doing, as they had not yet had a shot on goal themselves. They corrected this in the 24th minute, after a wasted corner resulted in a second, which itself resulted in the first goal. Dragon slain? Well, a long way to go yet for the knights of Harrogate Town.

In the second half, Wrexham powered forward, through with only the keeper to beat, but unable to complete that task, and 1-0 it remained. Another fine shot with 17 minutes to go brought an equally fine save out of the Harrogate keeper, then the home side were denied a penalty and it looked like the tie might be swinging in the favour of the Welsh. Five minutes to go and they scored, but the offside flag saved Harrogate and gave them the match, a fine giant killing and no doubt upsetting a certain Mr. Reynolds.



Result: Harrogate Town 1 - 0 Wrexham
Scorer(s):  Muldoon (HAR)
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R11 W14

[Trollheart]

Team name: Woking v Cambridge United
Home city or town: Woking v Cambridge
Area: Surrey v Cambridgeshire
Nicknames: The Cardinals v Nothing (!)
Match played at: Laithwaite Community Stadium
Managers: Michael Doyle v Garry Monk
Currently playing in: National League v EFL League 1
Tier: 5 v 3
Expectations:* Again, though Cambridge reached further in the Cup I wonder if the large amount of giant killings Woking amassed will work in their favour?
Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Fourth round/Quarter-finals

Cambridge's first goal was ruled out for handball, not by the ref, who didn't see it, but by an alert linesman, and nil-nil it remained. Woking didn't lie down, but the only team in the FA Cup without a nickname took the only goal of the tie in the 73rd minute, ensuring their own progress to the second round.

Result: Woking 0 - 1 Cambridge United
Scorer(s): Brophy (CAM)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R11 W15

[Trollheart]

Team name: Gillingham v Blackpool
Home city or town: Gillingham v Blackpool
Area: Kent v Lancashire
Nicknames: The Gills v The Seasiders
Match played at: Priestfield Stadium
Managers: Mark Bonner v Steve Bruce
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v EFL League 1
Tier: 4 v 3
Expectations:* Given that it seems this is Gillingham's first foray into the FA Cup, and that they're facing one of the winners, I don't give much for the home side's chances.
Giant Killers?** No
Best FA Cup run: Never qualified/Winners

Gillingham had the early chance but spurned it, while the Tangerines knew how to put the ball in the net, and did so on taking the lead. In the second half it was as you were until added time, when Blackpool made it safe, Carey racing down field and scoring his and Blackpool's second. The League 1 side move on, while Gillingham are left to perhaps rue those missed chances.


Result: Gillingham 0 - 2 Blackpool
Scorer(s): Carey (2) (BLP)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R12 W15

[Trollheart]

Team name: Tonbridge Angels v Harborough Town
Home city or town: Tonbridge v Market Harborough
Area: Kent v Leicestershire
Nicknames: Angels v Bees
Match played at: Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium
Managers: Jay Saunders v Mitch Austin
Currently playing in: National League South v Southern League Premier Central
Tier: 6 v 7
Expectations:* Honestly, I can't see much to choose between these two very lower-ranked teams, neither of whom have been in the FA Cup before. Purely on the name, I'm going for the Angels.
Giant Killers?** No
Best FA Cup run: Neither have qualified before

Harborough, who in this match would be seen as the minnows, with one tier between the two teams, struck first and were ahead on 41 minutes, adding a second on the hour, a long shot from the back releasing their top striker Stephens, and putting them in a commanding lead. Stephens was among the goals again 12 minutes later, Harborough now three to the good. Angels looked dumbfounded, but they found (sorry) the net themselves, but only once, in extra time  and only after the Bees had stung them for a fourth time, leaving it in no doubt who was going through, the first time Harborough Town have ever qualified, never mind progressed to the second round.

Result: Tonbridge Angels 1 - 4 Harborough Town
Scorer(s): Malone, Stephens (2), Forbes (HAR), Shields (TON)
Giant killing? Yes
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R12 W16

[Trollheart]

Team name: Sutton United v Birmingham City
Home city or town: Sutton v Birmingham
Area: London v West Midlands
Nicknames: The U's v The Blues
Match played at: Gander Green Lane
Managers: Steve Morison v Chris Davies
Currently playing in: National League v EFL League 1
Tier: 5 v 3
Expectations:* I just can't do anything other than give this to Birmingham. And no, I don't hate them because I'm a Villa fan, only when Steve Bruce was managing them, and he's not any more. I just don't see Sutton United getting past them, despite a pile of big scalps in the Cup.
Giant Killers?** Yes/No
Best FA Cup run: Fifth round/Final


The U's faced the Blues, and who would have seen a giant killing in this match? Birmingham play two tiers above Sutton United, and have the additional pedigree of having got to the final back in 1956. Not only that, but they're currently at the top of their league, which I'm told makes them the highest-ranked team in this first round, so the signs did not look to favour the National League side. 9 minutes in and Birmingham had a free kick outside the box, though they argued it was in and so should have been a penalty. No VAR to arbitrate, so the ref's decision was final and the Sutton wall lined up and certainly played its part in keeping out the first goal.

The blue wave continued breaking on the yellow shore, so to speak, as Birmingham surged forward, finally netting with 10 minutes to go in the first half. Sutton had a great chance to level but shot wide, wasted chance. They kept pressing though and missed a sitter two minutes from time, spurning a golden opportunity to force extra time, and Birmingham took the match to progress to the second round.

Result: Sutton United 0 - 1 Birmingham City
Scorer(s): Willumsson (BIR)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R13 W16

[Trollheart]

Team name: Newport County v Peterborough United
Home city or town: Newport v Peterborough
Area: Wales v Cambridgeshire
Nicknames: The Port v The Posh
Match played at: Rodney Parade
Managers: Nelson Jardim v Darren Ferguson
Currently playing in: EFL League 2 v EFL League 1
Tier: 4 v 3
Expectations:* I hate Ferguson's son, perhaps unfairly but I do, so I wish Newport County all the luck in the world.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Fifth round/Quarter-finals

The Port met the Posh at Rodney Parade, and didn't the visitors feel like right plonkers when they went behind after just five minutes! Newport doubling their lead two minutes later wouldn't have helped, but Peterborough halved the deficit just before the half hour and levelled halfway through the second half. Kushty! The Posh took it with two late goals, one two minutes from time and one deep in injury time to secure their progress and no doubt have the lads singing "God bless Hookey Street" on the way back to London Road.

Result: Newport County 2 - 4 Peterborough United
Scorer(s): Glennon, Whitmore (NPT), Odoh, Randall, Jones (2) (PET)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Wrong
Predictions so far: R13 W17

[Trollheart]

Team name: Hednesford Town v Gainsborough Trinity
Home city or town: Hednesford v Gainsborough
Area: Staffordshire v Lincolnshire
Nicknames: The Pitmen  v Trinity
Match played at: Keys Park
Managers: Steve  v Russ Wilcox
Currently playing in: Northern Premier League Division West v Northern Premier League
Tier: 8 v 6
Expectations:* Two teams playing in the very lowest reaches; hard to say who will be better. Let's give it to the Trinity, because why not?
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Fourth round/ Second round

You certainly would not have expected to be have been an eight goal thriller, with both teams playing in among the lowest rank tiers of English football, but that just proves maybe that there are some really good teams down there, or at least that they turn it on for the Cup. It only took four minutes for the game to spring to life, as Hednesford's Duku slotted in the first goal, Gainsborough almost replying instantly but the ball popping off the top of the bar. A fine shot which deserved a goal. It took another 17 minutes before the home side added to their tally, Holness getting on the end of a throw in and sending a beautiful curling shot into the back of the net, the game surely beyond Trinity now?

Certainly beyond them four minutes into the second half, when Hednesford scored their third, this time it was McHale on the volley, but Trinity came back after having gone close when Howe did he do that? 65th minute and Trinity on the scoresheet. But was there time to equalise? Howe came close again with the keeper off his line but the ball went wide, but he made sure on 77, bagging his second of the night and leaving his team looking at a three-goal lead having been cut to just the one. Could they do it?

In extra time they did indeed do it, Lancaster smashing the ball in to level the match. And that was that, surely. But of course draws won't do any more, and into extra time we went, both teams trying to score the winner and avoid the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Before the game could be decided though, football thuggery raised its unwelcome head as so-called fans from both sides invaded the pitch and began having a punch-up, the ref having to remove the teams until order had been restored. Hopefully those idiots will get what's coming to them, and will never see a match by either of their teams live again.

Normal service, as such, resumed, the game restarted and it was Trinity who went closest first, Howe going for the hat-trick, but unable to beat the Hednesford keeper. It was in fact the home team who broke the deadlock first, Hednesford surely looking a safe bet for booking their spot in the second round now. Not a bit of it: in the second half of extra time Trinity levelled it again, and it was time for those players to step up to the spot to decide this most topsy-turvy game.

Unbelievable. Even on penalties these two teams could not be separated! EIGHT spot kicks taken, four of each missed by both teams! The match was on a knife-edge as Rowe stepped up for the home side - and missed, his penalty saved! Could Helliwell be the hero then, the Trinity titan who would take them into the next round? This penalty was crucial, and if he scored, that was it, and he did. Gainsborough Trinity went through on penalties, after what must have been one of the absolute best matches in the FA Cup this year. Stunning, and great kudos to both sides, neither of whom gave up. But only one can go through, and Hednesford, after a valiant, battling performance, go out.

Result: Hednesford Town 4-4 Gainsborough Trinity (Gainsborough win 5-4 on penalties)
Scorer(s): Duku, Holness, McHale (2) (HED), Howe (2), Lancaster, Clarke (GTR)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R14 W17

[Trollheart]

Team name: Solihull Moors v Maidstone United
Home city or town: Solihull v Maidstone
Area: Warwickshire v Kent
Nicknames: The Moors v The Stones
Match played at: Moor Park
Managers: Andy Whing v George Elokobi
Currently playing in: National League v National League South
Tier: 5 v 6
Position (if available) or Form:++
Expectations:* Neither team are exactly high-flying, but the home side play in tier 5 while Maidstone are a tier below them, so if there was to be a giant killing of sorts, it would only come with a victory for the visitors. I have no idea what to think so not calling it.
Giant Killers?** Yes
Best FA Cup run: Second round/Fifth round

Solihull were bent on keeping Maidstone from repeating their record feat of being the lowest-ranked team to get into the last 16 of the previous FA Cup, and they set about their work methodically, though they had to wait till the second half, when Clarke forced the ball into the Maidstone net despite two attempts by the keeper to keep him out, and Solihull were on their way. The difference in leagues told as Maidstone gave away possession, compounding the error by taking down a Solihull player in the box. From the resultant penalty, Stephens doubled the Moors' lead with two minutes to go.

The victory was sealed in the seventh minute of extra time as Wilkinson was presented with a tap-in for the home side's third. There will be no records made this year for the Stones, and no further progress in this year's FA Cup.

Result: Solihull Moors 3 - 0 Maidstone United
Scorer(s): Clarke, Stephens, Wilkinson (SOL)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: N/A
Predictions so far: R14 W17

[Trollheart]

Team name: Maidenhead United v Crawley Town
Home city or town: Maidenhead v Crawley
Area: Berkshire v West Sussex
Nicknames: The Magpies v The Red Devils
Match played at: York Road
Managers: Alan Devonshire v Rob Elliot
Currently playing in: Northern League v EFL League 1
Tier: 5 v 4
Expectations:* Crawley play on a higher tier than do Maidenhead, and have a slew of giant killings under their belt, but the Northern League side have them beaten in terms of progression in previous FA Cups. I would still expect the visitors to win here.
Giant Killers?** No/Yes
Best FA Cup run: Quarter-finals/Fourth round

Maidenhead hit the ground running and were ahead within  minutes, setting this up for a giant killing of pretty epic proportions, but then Crawley showed their mettle and drew level in the final minutes of the game, dashing the hopes of the Magpies and forcing the game into extra time, where Maidenhead were duly despatched, again in the dying minutes.


Result: Maidenhead 1 - 2 Crawley
Scorer(s): McCoulsky (MAH), Mallarkey, Showunmi(CRW)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: Right
Predictions so far: R15 W17

[Trollheart]

Team name: Rushall Olympic v Accrington Stanley
Home city or town: Rushall v Accrington
Area: West Midlands v Lancashire
Nicknames: The Pics v The 'Owd Reds
Match played at: Dale Lane
Managers: Adam Stevens v John Doolan
Currently playing in: National League North v EFL League 2
Tier: 6 v 4
Expectations:* No idea
Giant Killers?** No
Best FA Cup run: First round/Fourth round

Things did not start well for tiny Rushall, who had a man sent off in the first half, leaving them not with a mountain but a stairway to Heaven to climb, this burden added to when League 2 Accrington scored twice within 9 minutes, but at least the Northern Premier League side can console themselves with the fact that they held Stanley for 73 minutes with ten men, no mean feat.

Result: Rushall Olympic 0 - 2 Accrington Stanley
Scorer(s): Woods, Walton (ACC)
Giant killing? No
Giant killings so far: 11
Prediction turned out to be: N/A
Predictions so far: R15 W17