Over the years there have been many FA Cup third round shocks, so with the famous cup competition the focus this weekend let’s take a look at some of the biggest 3rd round FA Cup upsets in recent times.
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FA Cup Third Round Shocks: FA Upsets Ranked
The magic of the FA Cup seems to grab the imagination of football fans each season as sides from all levels of the English league are drawn against each other. Early January always signals the time with the Premier League teams enter the event with the lower sides having already played many round to get to the final 64.
This weekend (4th-8th January 2024) will see 32 FA Cup fixtures played out across the four days and despite there also being four all-Premier League clashes – including Arsenal vs Liverpool – there are also a number of potential banana skin matches that could leave egg on the face of some of the so-called bigger English league sides.
So, let’s take a look at some of the biggest FA Cup Third round shocks over the years.
1. Aston Villa 1-2 Stevenage (2023)
The seven-time FA Cup winners Aston Villa are the latest big club to make it onto the FA Cup third round upsets list after the Midlands club lost 1-2 at home to League Two’s Stevenage last January.
This FA Cup shock was even worse as Villa were coasting with a 1-0 lead until it all went wrong in the 85th minute. The home side had Leander Dendoncker sent off. Then just three minutes later Stevenage levelled the score thanks to a Jamie Reid penalty.
Stevenage completed the five-minute turnaround in the 90th minute when Dean Campbell netted to send the English top-flight side packing.
2. Newcastle 0-1 Cambridge United (2022)
One of the latest FA Cup third round upsets as Premier League side Newcastle crashed out to Cambridge United from League One thanks to a goal from striker Joe Ironside in the second half.
3. Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 Reading (2022)
Kidderminster Harriers were the lowest-ranked side left in the 2021/22 FA Cup but that didn’t stop them coming from a goal down to beat Reading 2-1. This came thanks to goals from Sam Austin and Amari Morgan-Smith in the second half.
4. Crawley 3-0 Leeds United (2021)
League Two Crawley Town are next to join the list of FA Cup Third round upset sides as they thrashed Premier League team Leeds United 3-0 with goals from Nick Tsaroulla, who was only playing his seventh game in senior football. While Ashley Nadesan and Jordan Tunnicliffe added the other goals.
5. Newport Town 2-1 Leicester City (2019)
Newport Town, who were playing in League Two in 2019 got the better of former Premier League champions Leicester City 2-1 after goals from Jamille Matt and Padraig Amond.
6. Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United (2010)
Leeds United were back in League One when they saw off high-flying Manchester United 0-1 at Old Trafford. At the time 42 places separated the teams. But that didn’t show on the day with Jermaine Beckford’s 19th min goal the difference in the end.
7. Shrewsbury 2-1 Everton (2003)
Former Everton player Kevin Ratcliffe was boos at Shrewsbury at the time they beat his old club in the FA Cup third round in 2003. The two goals from Shrews captain Nigel Jemson were enough to win the game.
8. Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal (1992)
One of the most famous FA Cup third round upsets of all time as 90 places separated the sides in the English football league at the time. David Seaman had joined Arsenal at that start of that season, but the former England number one could not keep out strikes from Steve Watkins and former Manchester United player Micky Thomas for Wrexham.
9. WBA 2-4 Woking (1991)
Three goals from Woking’s Tim Buzaglo grabbed the headlines as they beat WBA of the old Second Division at the time.
10. Sutton United 2-1 Coventry (1989)
Played at Gander Green Lane, this 1989 FA Cup third round upset is one a lot will remember as Coventry City were a force in the old English First Division at the time and were the FA Cup winners in 1986-87. Rains and Hanlan were the scorers for Sutton United, but despite winning the game they went onto lose 8-0 to Norwich in the Fourth Round.
11. Bournemouth 2-0 Manchester United (1984)
Managed by a young Harry Redknapp, Bournemouth entered the FA Cup record books in 1984 by beating Man Utd 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Milton Graham and Ian Thompson.
12. Hereford 2-1 Newcastle United (1972)
Another of the all-time FA Cup third round upset classics as Hereford saw off Newcastle 2-1 in a replay after a 2-2 draw in the first clash. At the time Hereford United were playing in the Southern Football League (5th tier of English football), while Newcastle were plying their trade in the old Division One. Hereford’s Ronnie Radford scored a screamer that is still shown in clips to this day, with sub Ricky George getting the winner in the 103 minute after extra-time.
13. Worcester City 2-1 Liverpool (1959)
Billed as the biggest shock and upset in the history of Liverpool football club, despite the Reds playing at the time in the old Division Two. 18 year-old Tommy Skuse for the opening goal for Worcester City after just 10 mins. In a cagey next period, it wasn’t until Harry Knowles doubled their lead with only 8 mins left. Liverpool pulled one back 2 min later to set up a nervy last 6 mins. However, City managed to hold on to record the famous FA Cup third round upset.
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