Top Five FA Cup Third Round Upsets
Despite the many changes to English football over the years, there is still no doubt that FA Cup third round weekend is one of the most special days in the footballing calendar. A weekend for chance takers and history makers, for clubs in the lower echelons of the English footballing pyramid to write their names in the history in this famous old competition by claiming a prize top tier scalp.
In this article, we look back on what in our opinion are the top five biggest FA Cup third round upsets down the years.
SHREWSBURY 2-1 EVERTON (2002-03)
Premier League club Everton were stunned at Gay Meadow by a Shrewsbury side competing in the old Division Three, managed at the time by Toffees legend Kevin Ratcliffe. It was Shrews skipper Nigel Jemson who was the hero, scoring the opening goal before netting the winner late on.
Everton, whose starting line-up included a young Wayne Rooney, were unable to respond for a second time and David Moyes’ side were dumped out in dramatic fashion.
MANCHESTER UTD 0-1 LEEDS UTD (2009-10)
Jermaine Beckford’s 19th minute goal in front of the Stretford End will still be talked about for many years to come by Leeds Utd fans. Whilst this fierce rivalry is a Premier League fixture today, back in the FA Cup third round of 2010, Leeds were in League One, two division below Man Utd, one of the ultimate powers in the land under Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, that didn’t stop Simon Grayson’s men from pulling off a memorable upset. Beckford’s goal was followed by a heroic defensive display as Leeds held on for victory in front of 9,000 jubilant away fans at Old Trafford.
HEREFORD UTD 2-1 NEWCASTLE UTD (1971-72)
Whilst this match was decided via a replay following a 2-2 draw in the original encounter, the magnitude of this upset fully warrants it a place on this list. Hereford were of course, massive underdogs being a Southern Premier League club against the top flight Magpies and went one-goal behind. But Hereford never gave up and Ronnie Radford’s incredible long-range strike with five minutes to go drew the hosts level, before Ricky George struck home the winner in extra time.
Radford’s goal in particular, will be remembered forever in the English game, encapsulating the magic of the FA Cup and it was incredibly sad news to hear of his passing this past November at the age of 79.
WREXHAM 2-1 ARSENAL (1991-92)
Long before Wrexham’s recent Hollywood-related resurgence, they stole the headlines for reasons on the pitch. Specifically, causing one of the biggest FA Cup third round shocks of all time by knocking out top flight giants Arsenal. At the time of this fixture, 90 places separated the two teams in the footballing pyramid, but that’s the beauty of the FA Cup.
Alan Smith opened the scoring for the Gunners at the Racecourse Ground after being set up by Paul Merson. But whilst many expected that to be that as the clock ticked past 80 minutes, Wrexham responded heroically. Welsh international and former Man Utd winger Mickey Thomas equalised for the Red Dragons with a fantastic free-kick, before Steve Watkin wrote Wrexham’s name into FA Cup history, making it 2-1 just a couple of minutes later.
SUTTON UTD 2-1 COVENTRY CITY (1988-89)
Less than two years after winning the FA Cup for the first time, first division side Coventry were the victims of arguably the biggest upset in the history of the FA Cup. Sutton Utd were competing in the Conference, the fifth tier of English football, so it was no surprise that they came into this third round tie as huge underdogs.
However, at a packed Gander Green Lane, the Non-League club took the lead through captain Tony Rains, before Coventry’s David Phillips equalised early on in the second half. But Sutton hit back, retaking the lead through Matthew Hanlan, which turned out to be the winning goal, completing a stunning triumph. It was 24 years later before a Non-League side defeated a top flight club in the FA Cup again, Luton Town beating Norwich in the fourth round in 2013.
