Nine upsets caused in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round

Nine surprise upsets were caused in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, which were played out this weekend, with two more games to be played.

For many non league sides, they played their first cup match since having their season halted in March then deemed null and void with some many missing out on promotion, playoffs and avoiding relegation.

Matches from the fourth qualifying round of the world’s oldest association football single knockout competition went ahead over the last few days, but with a difference.

Due to coronavirus lockdown rules, some ties were played behind closed doors or restricted amount of spectators, though for some clubs, they had their biggest ever attendance.

There were astonishingly nine upsets in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, yet around 10 minutes from the end, there were around five providing a shock.

One team were forced to forfeit their tie due to a player/staff member contracting coronavirus. They were Notts County, with opponents King’s Lynn Town advancing through instead.

The biggest upset came at National League outfit Maidenhead United, losing 3-2 in a thrilling encounter to Isthmian League South East Division side Cray Valley Paper Mills (PM).

Manny Parry and Dan Sparkes put the hosts 2-0 up after half an hour into the tie, however, Cray’s Ade Yusuff got one back shortly after, and then on the stroke of half time, Connor Dymond made it 2-2, heading into the net from a corner.

It was looking set to go to penalties, however Francis Babalola popped up in injury time to send Cray into the First Round Proper. Incredible achievement.

Yesssssss!!! pic.twitter.com/eo3wiZoXJD

— Cray Valley PM FC (@CrayValleyPM) October 24, 2020

What’s that you say?
Who is in the First Round Proper of the @EmiratesFACup ?
We’ll see you there!!!!#COYM pic.twitter.com/jZ6RJwBGXe

— Cray Valley PM FC (@CrayValleyPM) October 24, 2020

There were four upsets between teams two tiers apart, a lot of them coming very late on too.

National League newcomers Wealdstone were knocked out by Southern League Premier Division South side Hayes & Yeading United, who came away with a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Francis Amartey and Omar Rowe in either half, Wealdstone going to down to 10-men for a push in the face inbetween the two goals.

Northern Premier League Premier Division club South Shields booked their place in Monday’s First Round Proper draw, which we’ll have. They produced a surprise 2-0 win over National League side FC Halifax Town, goals coming from Darius Osei and Robert Briggs again in either half.

Another National League side crashing out was Chester, who lost to two leagues below Marine, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One North West.

James Barrigan scoring from the spot nine minutes from the full time whistle was enough to send Marine into the First Round for the first time in 25 years.

A brilliant, historical FA Cup upset for eighth tier @MarineAFC – they’ll be in Monday’s first round draw for the first time in 25 years after a 1-0 win over National League North Chester. And this is what it meant to them at FT. Well done to everyone at the club! #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/Xx6JZKXwhT

— Andy Sixsmith (@SixsmithTV) October 24, 2020

Another tie with teams two leagues apart was Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stafford Rangers against North West Counties League Premier Division club Skelmersdale United, who are also the lowest ranked club left in the competition having superbly beaten the hosts 4-1.

FT- @SRFCofficial 1 Skem 4 – FA CUP FIRST ROUND !!!???????? pic.twitter.com/SZ3yVc9Qb6

— Skem United FC (@Skemutdofficial) October 24, 2020

Upsets from those a league apart were
Canvey Island (level 8) winning 3-2 against Cray Wanderers (level 7) despite a late scare from the away side.

FC United of Manchester (7) also beat Guiseley (level 6) 2-1 with a late goal to cause a shock and cause scenes at Broadhurst Park.

Well well, the game which looked like it was drifting inexorably towards the dreaded penalties was won by a late late winner, GA had been the better in the second half but this is the @EmiratesFACup cup and it’s where the oft-cited magic still happens

FC into the 1st round! 2-1 pic.twitter.com/YeMPKQJBNZ

— FC United of Manchester (@FCUnitedMcr) October 24, 2020

It was another late goal that saw Maldon & Tiptree (8) produce a 1-0 win over Haringey Borough (7) to send them back into the proper stages of the competition, having reached the Second Round last season, before losing to Newport County.

YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO SEE IT#Jammers ? pic.twitter.com/OqlInAwXUk

— Maldon & Tiptree FC (@MaldonTiptreeFC) October 24, 2020

Another team that loves getting in the proper stages are National League South side Oxford City, who are having a cracking time this season, flying high in their league and now just beaten league above Weymouth in an entertaining 3-2 win.

HAPPY DAYS | City players celebrate at Full Time after a momentous result down here in Dorset! pic.twitter.com/SJEaG8E34z

— Oxford City FC (@OxCityFC) October 24, 2020

4QR RESULTS:

Darlington (6) 2–0 Cambridge City (8)
Stafford Rangers (7) 1–4 Skelmersdale United (9)
Solihull Moors (5) 4–0 Wrexham (5)
Banbury United (7) 2–1 Bury Town (8)
South Shields (7) 2–0 Halifax Town (5)
Ilkeston Town (8) 0–6 Hartlepool United (5)
FC United of Manchester (7) 2–1 Guiseley (6)
Brackley Town (6) 5–1 Marske United (8)
King’s Lynn Town (5) w/o Notts County (5)
Stockport County (5) 1–1 (6–7 p) Chesterfield (5)
Chester (6) 0–1 Marine (8)
Maidenhead United (5) 2–3 Cray Valley Paper Mills (8)
Canvey Island (8) 3–2 Cray Wanderers (7)
Wealdstone (5) 0–2 Hayes & Yeading United (7)
Sutton United (5) 0–1 Bromley (5)
Tonbridge Angels (6) 5–0 Taunton Town (7)
Hemel Hempstead Town (6) 0–1 Hampton & Richmond Borough (6)
Aldershot Town (5) 1–2 Woking (5)
Maldon & Tiptree (8) 1–0 Haringey Borough (7)
Dagenham & Redbridge (5) 1–0 Hartley Wintney (7)
Leiston (7) 2–3 Barnet (5)
Weymouth (5) 2–3 Oxford City (6)
Eastbourne Borough (6) 1–0 Dulwich Hamlet (6)
Eastleigh (5) 3–1 Weston-super-Mare (7)
Sholing (8) 0–2 Torquay United (5)
Bath City (6) 0–3 Havant & Waterlooville (6)
Boreham Wood (5) 2–0 Wimborne Town (7)
Yeovil Town (5) 3–3 (7–6 p) Dover Athletic (5)
Concord Rangers (6) 2–1 Chippenham Town (6)
AFC Fylde (6) TBC Altrincham (5)
Bishop’s Stortford (7) TBC St Albans City (6)
Chorley (6) Bye