JOHN LYONS REFLECTS ON A MEMORABLE FA CUP THIRD ROUND WEEKEND…
THERE have been some great weekends of FA Cup action over the years – and the third round of 2022 must be up there with the best of them.
The old competition served up some real thrills and spills in the New Year and it looks as though the 150th anniversary season is going to be one to remember.
Even though Newcastle are having a stinker of a season in the Premier League, there wouldn’t have been many people tipping League One Cambridge to go to St James’ Park and bag a shock victory.
But thanks to Joe Ironside’s expertly taken goal and a goalkeeping masterclass from Dimitar Mitov, the U’s earned a famous giantkilling win, one that will be talked about for many years to come.
It wasn’t as though the Magpies put out a weak side either. The likes of Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin and new signing Kieran Trippier all started for the north-east outfit.
A home draw with Luton in round four probably wasn’t the tie most Cambridge fans wanted, but it will be another opportunity for up-and-coming boss Mark Bonner and his troops to test themselves against higher level opposition.
Having watched Hartlepool – back in the EFL this term after a four-year absence – win a first round replay at League One high-flyers Wycombe back in November, I’ve been keeping half an eye on their fortunes.
They followed up that success by taking another League One scalp in Lincoln, triumphing 1-0 again on the road.
That earned them a shot against Blackpool in the third round.
When Keshi Anderson scored early to give the Championship visitors the lead, you could have been forgiven for thinking it would be the end of the road for Pools.
Instead, David Ferguson’s deflected effort levelled things up before teenage sub Joe Grey clinically tucked home the winner shortly after coming on.
They say you need a little bit of luck in the Cup and Pools were fortunate the Seasiders left their shooting boots at home. They had some great chances, but just weren’t table to capitalise on them on the day.
Graeme Lee’s Hartlepool can now look forward to another excursion on their Cup adventure – having been drawn away to Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace in early February. Having knocked out two League One sides and a Championship outfit, who is to say that Pools cannot complete the set with a Premier League victim, too?
Of course, Cambridge weren’t the only EFL side to send top-flight opposition packing in round three.
Huddersfield came from behind to win 2-1 at another Premier League toiler in Burnley, while Lewis Grabban notched the only goal late on as Nottingham Forest stunned Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
The Terriers can now look forward to a Yorkshire derby at home against fellow second tier side Barnsley in round four, while Forest welcome holders Leicester in a mouth-watering East Midlands clash.
Wigan claimed the Lancashire derby honours by knocking out Blackburn, from the level above, in a dramatic finale.
There were also tales of heartbreak. Nigel Clough’s Mansfield fought back from 2-0 down to level against Middlesbrough, but then conceded an owngoal winner in stoppage time.
Ten-man Barrow went down 5-4 after extra-time at Championship Barnsley. It’s hard to argue that wasn’t the game of the round, especially with the quality of some of the strikes.
League One pacesetters Rotherham United came close to beating QPR before bowing out 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Two EFL clubs were on the receiving end against Non-League opposition, with Reading falling to a 2-1 defeat at National League North outfit Kiddermin- ster Harriers, while AFC Wimbledon lost 2-0 at Boreham Wood.
Kiddy can now look forward to a plum home tie against West Ham, while Wood visit Championship front-runners Bournemouth, who knocked out another Non-League club, Yeovil, in round three.
National League Chesterfield also bowed out, though there was no disgrace in losing 5-1 to European champions Chelsea – and Akwasi Asante and the travelling Spireites fans will always remember his goal at Stamford Bridge.
Of course, we could have had more shocks. League One Morecambe led 1-0 at Tottenham until the 74th minute before succumbing 3-1, with Spurs boss Antonio Conte having to bring on some of his big-hitters, including Harry Kane, to see off the spirited Shrimps.
Daniel Udoh will never forget his well-taken goal which gave Shrewsbury the lead against Liverpool at Anfield, though the Reds eventually ran out 4-1 victors.
Cheers and tears, joy and pain – the FA Cup third round weekend had plenty. The competition has taken a few kicks to the shins in recent years, but you could see how much it still means to players, staff and supporters.
Perhaps there’s a greater realisation following the last couple of covid-hit years of what a jewel it is. Watching the highlights of games up and down the land, there appeared to be bigger and more passionate crowds at ties, which is good to see.
It’s whet the appetite for more of the same as the competition approaches the latter stages. Bring it on!
