Fa Cup First Round Summary - 2024

As ever, the FA Cup was packed with shocks and interesting stories. We look at the five stand-out stories from Round One.

1. I’m (not) loving Angels instead.

National League South side Tonbridge Angels hosted Southern League Central strugglers Harborough Town in an all non-League affair. Angels have started the season well and sit in 13th place, so they were rightly odds on favourites against 16th in the league below them, especially given they were unbeaten at home all season.

However, the visitors ran out shock 1-4 winners, thanks to a brace from Ben Stephens sandwiched in between goals from Paul Malone and Daniel Forbes. They have been rewarded with a bumper away tie at League One side Reading.

2. Cobblers Hobble Out

Northampton Town of League One hosted Southern League Central side Kettering Town at Sixfield live in front of the TV cameras.

Four leagues separated the local rivals, so the bookies were predicting a huge mismatch. They looked to be spot on when x gave The Cobblers the lead after 28 minutes. However, a late equaliser from local youngster Luca Miller sparked jubilant scenes in the away end, taking the game to extra time.

The Poppies took the lead four minutes into extra time with a goal from former Newcastle United striker Nile Range, powering home from a corner. Richard Lavery’s side managed to hold on, recording a famous win that seems them win £45,000 and a second-round televised tie at home to League Two Doncaster Rovers.

3. Gutsy Gainsborough

The lowest-ranked team in the first round, Hednesford (step four), hosted step three side Gainsborough Trinity at x in what turned out to be the game of the round.

The visitors looked dead and buried after Hednesford took a surprise 3-0 lead after 49 minutes, thanks to goals from Manny Duku, Omar Holness and Dominic McHale. However, a Declan Howe brace and a 94th-minute Will Lancaster goal took the game to extra time.

McHale made it 4-3 to the hosts five minutes into extra time before Javelle Clark took the game to penalties. A dramatic penalty shootout saw Gainsborough Trinity win and set up a second-round tie with League Two side Harrogate Town.

4. Terrified Terriers

Friday night’s live clash saw National League side Tamworth host League One promotion chasers Huddersfield Town at The Lamb Ground. It has been a monumental rise for Andy Peaks’ side, who have enjoyed back-to-back promotions to now play in the National League.

Fifty-seven places separated the sides heading into this game, but that did not deter the Lambs, who were brave throughout.  Tamworth attacked the Terriers with purpose, making the most of their physical prowess.

Tom Tonks’ long throws constantly caused issues for Michael Duff’s side, and after 44 minutes, it paid dividends, with Huddersfield goalkeeper Chris Maxwell flapping a long throw into his net.

The win was a historic one for Tamworth, who now face Staffordshire rivals Burton Albion in Round Two.

5. Only fools(ish referees) and horses at Rodney Parade

Newport County and Peterborough United played one of the most entertaining games in the first round, with the visitors running out 2-4 winners. Newport rushed into a two-goal lead after seven minutes before Abraham Odoh got his first goal of the season after 27 minutes.

Peterborough thought they had equalised when Cameron Evans headed past his keeper from a Jack Sparkes corner, but the officiating team claimed the ball had gone wide and ruled the goal out.

This didn’t deter Posh, who scored three unanswered second-half goals to advance to the second round.

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