Round 3 of the FA Cup and 32 teams took to the stage in an attempt to progress to the fourth round and get that one step closer to Wembley. All Premier League and Championship entered the draw at this stage while the lowest ranked team Hastings United, playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division will play their 9th game in the competition.
Brighton 2-0 Newcastle
The first fixture of the weekend was a long trip down south for the Geordies, the same place they saw their team knocked in the fourth round last year. Newcastle went in to the game with an unfamiliar look, missing the likes of Coloccini, Papiss Cisse, Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor, along with Demba Ba, recently added to the sold list. The Seagulls needed only 33 minutes to break the deadlock with a delightful finish from Orlandi after good work by Wayne Bridge down the left hand side. Things went from bad to worse for Newcastle when Shola Ameobi was sent off for his second bookable offence which eventually led to Brighton doubling their lead through Hoskins to seal their place in the 4th round.
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Oldham
Alex McLeish is still looking for his first win after three games in charge after losing at home to League One Oldham. Oldham are 19th in League One and just five points above the relegation zone but Paul Dickov’s side fully deserved the win which puts them in into the fourth round for the first time in five years. Despite taking the lead just 13 minutes in, Forest couldn’t hold on as after the break Oldham came out a different team, piling on the pressure and throwing men forward. It soon paid off as two goals in two minutes from Danny Simpson put the visitors ahead and Jose Baxter hit a stunning free kick to further their lead. Deep into stoppage time Billy Sharp pulled one back for the hosts but it was too little to late as they crashed out of the competition.
Middlesbrough 4-1 Hastings United
131 league places separated these two sides, showing the beauty of the FA Cup and how a small team like Hastings can go on to do well in the competition. Hastings were celebrating in the 17th minute, not because of a goal but because of a penalty save. It looked like Hastings had luck on their side until 5 minutes later when Zemmama scored a stunning goal from 25 yards out. The scoreline remained 1-0 going into the break but ‘Boro started the second half with the goal of putting the game to bed. It took only 2 minutes for the home side to go 2-0 up followed by Zemmama scoring his second of the day to make it 3-0 in the 68th minute. Then came the moment of the afternoon that will leave memories for the Hastings fans, when Goldberg unleashed a spectacular shot into the top corner. The goal was applauded by the Middlesbrough fans who soon rounded off the game when Miller drove a shot past the keeper with five minutes left.
Macclesfield 2-1 Cardiff
Championship leaders Cardiff City conceded their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup as two late goals from non-league Macclesfield put them through after being a goal down. It was a stalemate for the best part of an hour until Nat Jarvis headed home for the visitors and the weakened Cardiff side protected their lead right up until the last 5 minutes of the game. In the space of 4 minutes Cardiff went from being in the hat for the fourth round draw to being knocked out of the competition. Barnes-Homer scored the equalizer on the 85th minute and then the winner from the spot on the 88th minute to the sound of celebrations from the home crowd. A not so attractive fourth round draw for Macclesfield in the form of Wigan orBournemouth, non the less it is still beneficial for the club.
Luton 1-0 Wolves
Another non-league team, Luton produce a shock result to knock out Championship strugglers Wolves to progress to the fourth round. Despite the 59 league places between the teams,Luton looked comfortable against Wolves and scored the only goal of the game with a volley from Lawless. This proved to be the final straw as just hours after the game Wolves sacked manager Stale Solbakken.
West Ham 2-2 Manchester United
A replay is on the cards back at Old Trafford thanks to a late equaliser from non other than Robin Van Persie. Tom Cleverley gave the visitors the lead when he side footed in but the lead lasted less than five minutes as James Collins headed the equaliser, his first goal since returning to the club. Close to the hour mark Joe Cole was given the space to deliver another pin point ball into the box which found Collins once again whose flicked header was beautifully directed into the corner. It looked as if the hammers were going to hold on despite Ferguson throwing on the big guns Valencia, Giggs and Van Persie but in stoppage time it was the latter that combined to produce a stunning goal. Giggs’ lofted through ball was as accurate as can be and Van Persie’s touch followed by his finish was even better. During Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign as manager, United have only been knocked out at the 3rd round on one occasion, against Leeds United three years ago and the game against West Ham was close to being the second time.
Mansfield 1-2 Liverpool
In preparation for the game,Mansfield used 96 empty seats to put the names of the Hillsborough disaster as a sign of respect. This act of kind heartedness was soon overtaken by the controversy of Luis Suarez’s goal. Daniel Sturridge made his debut for Liverpool and after 7 minutes he scored his debut goal to put the visitors 1-0 ahead. Mansfield were piling on the pressure and so Liverpool introduced Suarez which proved a good substitution as he scored the crucial second goal although it clearly struck his hand before he put it in the hand. The goal stood despite the protests and Mansfield could only score a consolation goal as they bowed out of the competition unfairly.
Other Results:
Swansea 2 – 2 Arsenal
Aston Villa 2 – 1 Ipswich
Bolton 2 – 2 Sunderland
Crawley 1 – 3 Reading
Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Stoke
Derby 5 – 0 Tranmere
Fulham 1 – 1 Blackpool
Hull 1 – 1 Leyton Orient
Leeds United 1 – 1 Birmingham
Leicester 2 – 0 BurtonAlbion
ManCity 3 – 0 Watford
Millwall 1 – 0 Preston
OxfordUnited 0 – 3 Sheff Utd
Peterborough 0 – 3 Norwich
Sheff Wed 0 – 0 MK Dons
Southampton 1 – 5 Chelsea
Southend 2 – 2 Brentford
Tottenham 3 – 0 Coventry
Wigan 1 – 1 Bournemouth