FA Cup 2022-23 6th Round preview

This season’s FA Cup Quarter Finals contains the fewest number of top-flight clubs in the last eight for 15 years with just four Premier League sides remaining. The octet also includes Grimsby Town, the first side from tier four to make it this far since Cambridge United did so in 1990, and just the fifth club ever from that level of the pyramid to achieve this feat (not counting Lincoln City who made the Quarter Finals in 2017 as a non-league side).

Grimsby Town have set a couple of FA Cup records by reaching the Quarter Finals this season. The club has set a new record of defeating five clubs from a higher level in the pyramid during the ‘Proper’ Rounds in the same season seeing off Plymouth Argyle, Cambridge United and Burton Albion from League One, Luton Town from the Championship, and Premier League strugglers Southampton.

The Mariners have also set a new record of longest gap between FA Cup Quarter Final appearances. Reading set the benchmark at 83 years when making the last eight in 2010, but Grimsby Town have had to wait 84 years to reach this level of the competition again.

At the opposite end of the scale, Manchester United have equalled the record for most Quarter Final appearances joining Everton who set the record of 47 just last season. In all, the eight remaining clubs have 178 Quarter Final appearances between them (including this season), the lowest tally for four years.

Special mention to Sheffield United who have now made the last eight of the FA Cup 27 times, the exact same number as their city rivals Sheffield Wednesday who achieved that feat in 1997 when at the time the Blades had only 20 appearances at this stage.

The Blades are involved in the only Quarter Final tie to involve two sides from outside the Premier League. Back in 2008 just one top-flight club made it through to the semi-finals and with Manchester United hosting Fulham in the last eight there will be at least one in this year’s final four. But will it just be the one?

Brighton and Hove Albion versus Grimsby Town is the only tie to involve clubs who are yet to lift the famous trophy. The Seagulls famously made the Final in 1983 (“and Smith must score”) and Brighton versus Manchester United is the only potential repeat Final that could occur again this season. Grimsby Town are the only one of the eight clubs yet to experience a Cup Final and victory this weekend would set another competition record as the club would become the first club from the fourth tier to reach the Semi-Finals.

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Manchester City (Premier League) vs Burnley FC (EFL Championship)

Saturday 5.45pm ‘live’ on BBC One

The return of Vincent Kompany to the club where he twice won the FA Cup, lifting the trophy as captain in 2019, adds extra spice to this tie between Premier League Champions and title challengers Man City, and Championship runaway leaders Burnley.

The clubs have been drawn together for the sixth time with Burnley winning the first encounter back in 1931, but City being victorious in all the other four, including a 5-0 demolition the last time the two sides met four years ago.

Burnley are appearing in their first Quarter Final for 20 years and you have to go back a further 29 years for the last time they reached the last four of the competition. Manchester City, on the other hand, are looking to reach the Semi-Finals for the fifth successive season which would equal the record set by Oxford University in 1877 and matched by Manchester United (in 1966) and Arsenal (in 2005).

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Sheffield United (EFL Championship) vs Blackburn Rovers (EFL Championship)

Sunday 12.0 noon ‘live’ on ITV1

These two Championship clubs have lifted the FA Cup 10 times between them being ranked 9^th (Blackburn Rovers) and 15^th (Sheffield United) best teams in the competition’s history. However, they both last tasted ultimate victory way back in the 1920s, almost 100 years ago, with Rovers last lifting the Trophy in 1928 and the Blades last doing so in 1925. If either side went on to lift the Trophy in June this year it would set a new competition record for longest gap between FA Cup triumphs.

The two clubs have at least appeared in the Semi-Finals in the 21^st Century, Rovers last doing so for the 18^th time in 2007, with United making the last four for the 14^th time just nine years ago (becoming the 9^th club from the third tier to make the Semi-Finals in doing so).

This is the fourth time the two clubs have been drawn together in the FA Cup with the Blades ahead by two wins to one in past Cup meetings. They last met 30 years ago in another Quarter Final encounter that was settled in favour of Sheffield United on penalties after two tightly contested games. With no replays at this stage of the competition this season, it could well be penalties again that separate these two promotion hopefuls.

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Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League) vs Grimsby Town (EFL Two)

Sunday 2.15pm ‘live’ on BBC One

Of the eight Quarter Finalists these two club have the least experience of reaching this stage of the competition with this season being just their 9^th cumulative appearances in the last eight between them. All of Brighton’s Quarter Final appearances have occurred in the last 40 years whilst Grimsby are in the last eight for the first time since before WWII broke out.

The two clubs have faced each other in the FA Cup before playing two matches in the 3^rd Round of the 1929/30 season. Then it was the Mariners who were the top-flight side with the Seagulls competing in the 3^rd Division South. But it was the lower level Southern coast based side that won through 1-0 in a replay. A mirror image Cupset this season would be seismic and set FA Cup records galore for the fourth tier side.

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Manchester United (Premier League) vs Fulham FC (Premier League)

Sunday 4.30pm ‘live’ on ITV1

Manchester United not only jointly hold the record for number of FA Cup Quarter Final appearances, but the club also jointly holds the record for most Semi-Final appearances, too, and victory over Fulham would take them clear of Arsenal for that particular record.

For Fulham, this is their first appearance in the last eight of the FA Cup for 13 years and it’s a further eight years since the Cottagers last made the Semi-Finals losing 1-0 to local rivals Chelsea.

This is the most common tie of the FA Cup Quarter Finals with the two clubs being drawn together in the competition for the 11^th time. Fulham won through on the first two occasions whilst Manchester United have been successful in all the following eight. When the two clubs met for the first time in the competition it was actually in the Qualifying Rounds in the 1904/05 season in what was known as the Intermediate Round, a short-lived extra qualifying round that lasted for just five seasons at the start of the 20^th Century.

The two clubs last met in the FA Cup 10 years ago in the 4^th Round and the Red Devils have also three times knocked their opponents out of the competition at this stage (in 1926. 2004 and 2009). The two clubs also played out an entertaining FA Cup Semi-Final replay in 1958 with Manchester United running out 5-3 winners.

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FA Vase 2022/23 6th Rd Preview

Eight clubs remain in this year’s FA Vase with a wonderful day out at Wembley tantalising close for all of them, and for at least three clubs (and maybe four) they will participate in an FA Vase Semi-Final for the first ever time as only Newport Pagnell Town of the eight has ever gone beyond this round before.

West Didsbury & Chorlton vs Ascot United

(North West Counties League Premier 8^th vs Combined Counties League Premier North 1^st)

Both clubs began their FA Vase campaigns this season in the 1^st Qualifying Round and have each already won through seven ties so far. Ascot have been the more free scoring side having netted just over twice as many times as the home side and are the competition’s top scorers with 27 goals.

Ascot have also won through every tie so far in normal time whilst West Didsbury and Chorlton have had to negotiate three penalty shoot-outs to reach this far, which is five rounds further than the club had ever gone in their previous eleven campaigns. It is the third time that the Berkshire club has made the last eight of the Vase having done so in 2013 and 2015 whilst members of the Hellenic League.

Newport Pagnell Town vs Atherstone Town Community Club

(United Counties League Premier South 4^th vs Midland Football League Premier 15^th)

Newport Pagnell Town are looking to become the first club to retain their FA Vase title for 12 years and become only the fifth ever club to achieve that feat. It is actually the third time the club has reached the Quarter Finals in what is their 29^th FA Vase campaign, and this is the only tie in this round where both clubs have been this far before.

Atherstone Town last appeared in the last eight three years ago as a step six club and are looking to make the Semi-Finals for the first time in what is their 15^th campaign. Both clubs have only had to endure the drama of penalties once so far in this season’s competition.

Peacehaven and Telscombe vs Corsham Town

(Southern Combination Football League Premier 6^th vs Hellenic League Premier 5^th)

Both clubs began their FA Vase campaigns this season in the 1^st Qualifying Round so have both already won through seven ties to get this far. Peacehaven have scored one more goal than their opponents in the competition so far but have twice progressed through on penalties after playing out goal-less draws.

Corsham Town have won through three penalty shoot-outs so far and are appearing in the Quarter Finals for the first time in what is the club’s 22^nd campaign, with a 3^rd Round appearance 16 years ago their previous best run. Peacehaven are in their 40^th Vase campaign and have one previous last eight appearance under their belt, achieved 27 years ago.

Congleton Town vs Bury AFC

(North West Counties League Premier 9^th vs North West Counties League Premier 5^th)

Not only is this the only Quarter Final tie to involve two clubs that have never got this far in the competition before, but it is also the only tie to involve two teams from the same League, both being members of the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Congleton Town progressed beyond the 5^th Round for the first time at the third time of asking and have managed to make this year’s Quarter Finals without having to endure a penalty shoot-out. Bury AFC are only competing in the Vase for the third time and have scored one more goal than their opponents this campaign, but did have to rely on penalties once during this campaign.

FA Cup 2022-23 5th Round Tie-by-Tie preview

Shamefully, the FA Cup 5^th Round takes place during mid-week rather than at a weekend, and the shame is compounded by the fact that there will also be no replays. And all to satisfy the demands of the owners of half a dozen clubs for whom the FA Cup is an unwelcomed distraction (until the semi-finals that is).

And in order to accommodate the TV companies requirements to show live matches, too, all eight games will kick off at different times over the course of two nights straddling February and March.

Tuesday 28^th February, 7.15pm – Live on ITV 4

Stoke City (EFL Championship) vs Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League)

This is the only one of the eight ties to not involve a past winner of the FA Cup, with both clubs’ only appearances in a Cup Final so far ending in defeat to one or other of the two main Manchester clubs.

Stoke City actually hold the record for most number of campaigns before appearing in an FA Cup Final, achieving the feat in what was the club’s 118^th attempt to get there twelve years ago.

The two clubs have met once before in the FA Cup, at this same stage of the competition during that run to the Final for the Potteries side, who won the game 3-0 thanks to first half goals from John Carew, Jonathan Walters and Ryan Shawcross when the Seagulls were two divisions below their opponents.

A similar result this season would be regarded as a bit of a Cupset.

Tuesday 28^th February, 7.30pm – Live on BBC iPlayer

Leicester City (Premier League) vs Blackburn Rovers (EFL Championship)

Leicester City won the FA Cup just two years ago setting a new competition record by lifting the Trophy for the first time in what was their fifth Cup Final appearance.

Blackburn Rovers haven’t won the Cup for 95 years when doing so for the sixth time, and the club hasn’t appeared at this stage of the competition for six years.

It is the fourth time the two clubs have been drawn together in the competition and the Premier League side has a two-to-one win ratio in past meetings. However, it was a late Paul Dickov penalty that settled the tie in favour of Blackburn Rovers when the two sides last met in what was a Quarter Final match 18 years ago.

Again, a similar result would be considered a minor Cupset despite being separated by only 10 places across the their respective divisions.

Tuesday 28^th February, 7.45pm – Live on BBC One

Fulham (Premier League) vs Leeds United (Premier League)

This is one of only two all-Premier League ties in this year’s 5^th Round and, despite the clubs having 212 FA Cup campaigns between them, it will remarkably be the first time they have met each other in the competition.

Leeds United have now been drawn away from home in the FA Cup for twelve consecutive times, a record equalling sequence in the ‘Proper’ Rounds of the competition, and the Yorkshire club are into the last 16 for the first time in seven years and are looking to make the Quarter Finals for the first time in twenty.

Fulham’s recent record isn’t that much better with this being their first appearance in the fifth round for six years and it being 13 years since they themselves last made the Quarter Finals.

Respective league form and current standings suggest a win for the home side would be the expected outcome, but the visitors could benefit from new manager bounce syndrome.

Tuesday 28^th February, 8.0pm – Live on ITV 1

Bristol City (EFL Championship) vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Bristol City are looking to make the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time in 49 years and could not face a more daunting prospect to try to achieve it than facing current Premier League Champions Manchester City. Their opponents are in their eighth successive fifth round tie and have made it at least as far as the Semi-Finals in all of their last four campaigns.

Despite 240 cumulative FA Cup campaigns between them this will be the first time the two clubs have met in the competition and a victory for mid-table Bristol City would be highly unexpected.

The glimmer of hope for the Robins is that the last time Manchester City lost at this stage of the competition it was to a side from outside the Premier League, from a division even lower than theirs.

Wednesday 1^st March, 7.15pm – Live on ITV 4

Southampton (Premier League) vs Grimsby Town (EFL Two)

This tie has banana skin written all over it as bottom of the Premier League host the lowest ranked side still standing in this year’s competition, a club that has already knocked out four opponents with a higher league status than their own.

Grimsby Town are looking to become the first club from the fourth tier to appear in the last eight of the FA Cup since Cambridge United did so in 1990, and are trying to achieve the feat for the first time for themselves since last doing so in the final campaign before World War II broke out.

This is the fourth time the two sides have been drawn together in the FA Cup with the Saints ahead by two wins to one in past meetings. It took three games to separate them last time when two divisions apart 45 years, but after two goal-less draws Southampton won the third game 4-1 at Leicester City’s Filbert Street ground.

Southampton have a good recent record in the FA Cup going beyond the fifth round in both the last two seasons and twice making the last four in the past five years. However, would a continued run in this season’s competition be too much of a distraction from their efforts to retain their Premier League status? A Cupset could very well be on the cards.

Wednesday 1^st March, 7.30pm – Live on BBC iPlayer

Burnley (EFL Championship) vs Fleetwood Town (EFL One)

On paper this game should be a formality as the runaway leaders of the Championship host mid-table opposition from the league below. Burnley have scored on average two goals per game in the league this season, although they made hard work of seeing off another EFL One side in the last round, needing a late goal to defeat Ipswich Town in a replay.

The expected win for Burnley would take the club into the Quarter Finals for the first time in 20 years.

The two sides have never met in the FA Cup before which is not too surprising as this is the first time Fleetwood has ever made the last 16 of the competition in the club’s history, in what is their 24^th campaign.

As a consequence of the club’s own record run, a new competition record has also been set as it is the first time ever that two clubs with names beginning with the latter ‘F’ have both appeared in the fifth round in the same season.

Wednesday 1^st March, 7.45pm – Live on ITV 1

Manchester United (Premier League) vs West Ham United (Premier League)

This is the second of two all-Premier League fifth round ties, but unlike the first one where the clubs have never met in the competition, this is a very common pairing indeed. This is the eleventh time the two sides have been drawn together in the FA Cup with Manchester United ahead by six wins to four in past meetings.

The clubs last met in the competition at this stage just two years ago which wasn’t settled until a Scott McTominay strike in the first half of extra time. That was the fourth successive win for Manchester United whilst the Hammers last defeated the Reds in the Cup 22 years ago thanks to a famous Paulo Di Canio goal.

It’s seven years since West Ham last appeared in the FA Cup Quarter Finals whilst Manchester United have done so in ever season since then apart from last year. A victory for the Reds would equal the record for appearances in the last eight of the competition.

Wednesday 1^st March, 7.55pm – Live on BBC One

Sheffield United (EFL Championship) vs Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)

This is the only fifth round tie to involve two clubs that have met each other in an FA Cup Final before, although circumstances for the clubs were very different when they met in the 1901 Final. Tottenham Hotspur famously became the first and only non-league side to lift the Trophy with a 3-1 replay victory at Bolton Wanderers’ Burnden Park ground.

The Blades have won the two subsequent times they’ve faced Spurs in the Cup, but the sides have not met in the competition for 65 years when they won 3-0 with the same divisional status that the two clubs hold this season.

Sheffield United are looking comfortable in second spot in the Championship and with home advantage in this tie will be looking to cause a Cupset and make it to their third Quarter Final in four years, with Spurs having also exited at this stage of the competition in each of the last three seasons.

Eight times FA Cup winners Spurs hold several competition records with the most recent one being set when Arnaut Danjuma netted their third goal in their 3-0 win at Preston North End in the last round to return the club to the top of the overall scoring charts in the FA Cup’s history.

FA Cup 2022-23 4th Rd Review

First time in 5^th Round ever

Fleetwood Town – 24^th campaign

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First time in 5^th Round in a while

27 years – Grimsby Town

7 years – Leeds United

6 years – Blackburn Rovers, Fulham FC

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Into 5^th Rd and long time since last KO before it

8 years – Manchester City

4 years – Tottenham Hotspur

3 years – Southampton FC, West Ham United

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Avenged Previous FA Cup Defeat

Bristol City 3-0 West Bromwich Albion (after three previous defeats)

Walsall FC 0-1 Leicester City (45 years after last FA Cup meeting)

Replays

Birmingham City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers (after four previous defeats)

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Biggest Wins of the 4^th Rd

Preston North End 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Bristol City 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Replays

Grimsby Town 3-0 Luton Town

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Cupsets

Grimsby Town (4) 3-0 Luton Town (2)

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Miscellaneous

Manchester United have now beaten Reading FC 10 times in eleven FA Cup meetings.

Liverpool FC have now failed to go beyond the 4^th Round in seven of the eight times they were defending FA Cup champions.

FA Vase 2022/23 5th Rd Preview

Sixteen clubs are now just three wins away from an appearance at Wembley in what is the famous stadium’s centenary year, with holders Newport Pagnell Town the last remaining club to have actually appeared in a Vase Final before, lifting the trophy at Wembley just last season.

This means that for the 49^th time in the 49^th FA Vase Final there will be at least one club participating in it for the very first time.

In fact none of the other 15 clubs still in this season’s competition have even ventured beyond the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase in the past.

Another couple of distinct facts about this season’s FA Vase 5^th Round establish a competition first, as none of the 16 clubs involved have ever faced their opponents in the competition before, nor will they face them in league action this season neither.

The lowest ranked side still in the competition, and the last standing Step Six side, is Brixham AFC of South West Peninsula League, who travel to Corsham Town of Hellenic League, the only tie where neither side involved have participated in the 5^th Round before as neither had ever progressed beyond the 3^rd Round before this season.

Corsham Town are one of seven clubs that started their campaign this season in the 1^st Qualifying Round and who have already won through six ties just to get this far. Two of them, Harefield United and Peacehaven and Telscombe, face each other with the winner going on to equal their best run in the competition.

This season’s top scoring club, Ascot United, are another such club and they travel to Bridgwater United in the another tie involving clubs that have both played in the 5^th Round before. Eccleshill United versus Atherstone Town Community Club is the third such tie with the home side looking for their seventh win this campaign.

Two other clubs also looking for their seventh win are North West Counties League side West Didsbury and Chorlton and Jersey Bulls from Combined Counties League, both of whom had not gone beyond the 1^st Round before this season, and both of whom have tough away trips to Coventry Sphinx and Newport Pagnell Town to achieve it.

Bury AFC and Congleton Town are two other North West Counties League sides with away trips, to Tring Athletic and AFC Wulfrunians respectively, with the winners each appearing in the Quarter Finals for the first time.

FA Vase 2022/23 4th Rd Review

Stat of the Round

Just one former winner remains in this year’s competition (Newport Pagnell Town – the holders) meaning that once again the Final this year will involve at least one first time finalist (as all Vase Finals have done).

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First time in 5^th Round ever

Corsham Town – 22^nd campaign

AFC Wulfrunians – 16^th campaign

West Didsbury and Chorlton – 12^th campaign

Brixham FC, Bury AFC, Jersey Bulls – 3^rd campaign

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Equalling best run to 5^th Rd

Congleton Town – 3^rd time in 29^th campaign

Eccleshill United – 2^nd time in 35^th campaign

Bridgwater United – 2^nd time in 23^rd campaign

Tring Athletic – 2nd time in 19th campaign

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First time in 5^th Round in a while

33 years – Harefield United (32 campaigns)

27 years – Peacehaven and Telscombe (24 campaigns)

23 years – Eccleshill United

18 years – Bridgwater United (9 campaigns)

8 years – Ascot United

5 years – Tring Athletic

3 years – Atherstone Town Community Club

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Consecutive 4^th Rd KOs

3 – Clevedon Town

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Avenged Previous FA Vase Defeat

Egham Town 0-2 Peacehaven and Telscombe (after two previous defeats)

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Biggest Wins of the 4^th Rd

Jersey Bulls 6-0 Romford FC (Biggest WIN and Biggest DEFEAT)

Biggleswade United 1-5 Coventry Sphinx

Bury AFC 4-0 Holker Old Boys (Biggest WIN)

Congleton Town 4-0 Pinchbeck United (Equal Biggest DEFEAT)

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Cupsets

Brixham FC (6) 2-0 Raynes Park Vale (5)

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Hat-tricks and more

3 – Sammy Henia-Kamau (Jersey Bulls)

FA Cup 2022-23 4th Round Tie-by-Tie preview

This season’s FA Cup 4^th Round kicks off with a clash of the top two clubs in the Premier League as Manchester City host Arsenal in a game to be shown live on ITV 1.

It is the sixth time the two former winners have been drawn together in the competition and the only victory for Manchester City came way back in 1903-04 when their opponents were still known as Woolwich Arsenal.

Arsenal have three times beaten City in FA Cup Semi-Finals, the most recent time happening just three years ago on their way to lifting the Trophy for a record 14^th time.

A couple of ties take place on Saturday lunchtime. EFL 2 club Walsall FC host Premier League side and 2021 FA Cup winners Leicester City, knowing that a repeat of their 1-0 victory the only other time the two sides met in the competition forty-five years ago would mean a record equalling Cup run for the Saddlers.

Another Premier League side travel to lower level opposition in the other 12.30pm kick off, too. Leeds United are in the 4^th Round for the first time in six seasons and their record against lower level opponents in recent seasons is wretched. Accrington Stanley are already matching their best ever FA Cup run and are looking to be the first club from the town to reach the last sixteen for 130 years.

Seven ties kick off at the traditional time of 3.0pm. Premier League Southampton FC and EFL Championship side Blackpool FC have been drawn together in the competition for the seventh time. The Saints have the better past head-to-head record by four wins to two. Both clubs defeated the other on their way to their respective one and only FA Cup triumph to date, Blackpool winning 2-1 in 1953 and Southampton 3-1 in 1976.

Amazingly, former winners Ipswich Town and Burnley FC are meeting in the FA Cup for the very first time. It’s sixteen years since EFL 1 side Ipswich progressed beyond the 4^th Round of the competition and a Cupset over the EFL Championship runaway leaders, who’ve achieved that feat four times in that period, would be a big surprise.

EFL Championship side Luton Town will be hoping to make it third time lucky in the FA Cup against lower level Grimsby Town from the fourth tier, and will especially be looking to avenge the 7-1 defeat the last time the two sides met in the competition 27 years ago. That was the last season Grimsby went beyond the 4^th Round in the FA Cup, whereas the Hatters did so last season and are tracking to reach the Quarter Finals this season, having gone progressively one round further in each of their last three campaigns.

Birmingham City have won through on all four previous occasions they’ve been drawn to face fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, most recently 2-1 just three years ago. A fifth victory would take the Blues into the 5^th Round for just the second time in the last 10 seasons. Rovers last made the 5^th Round six years ago, the last time they went beyond the 3^rd Round.

Fleetwood Town are beyond the 3^rd Round for the first time in their history, being the first side from the Lancashire town to make it this far in 93 cumulative campaigns. They travel to Sheffield Wednesday in a tie that guarantees a third tier side will be involved in the 5^th Round, something Wednesday have experienced twice in the last five seasons.

The all-Championship clash between Bristol City and West Bromwich Albion has always gone the way of the Baggies the three previous times they’ve been drawn together in the FA Cup, although replays were required on two of the three occasions including the last time they met seven years ago. Both clubs have twice gone beyond the 4^th Round in their last five campaigns.

Premier League Fulham FC host Championship side Sunderland FC having had an inferior head-to-head record against their lower level opponents in the FA Cup, with Sunderland winning three of their four past meetings. The Cottagers have exited at this stage of the competition in each of the last three seasons whilst the Black Cats have not gone beyond this round for eight years.

BBC 1 are showing the early Saturday evening clash between Championship side Preston North End and Premier League Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have a slender five to four win ratio in past FA Cup meetings between the two clubs, but they’ve not met in the competition for 55 years. Tottenham reached the 5^th Round in each of the last three seasons whilst Preston haven’t done so for eight years.

ITV 4 are broadcasting live the Manchester United versus Reading FC tie. The Premier League side have a nine to one win ratio in past FA Cup meetings, one of the most one-sided match-ups in the competition’s history. This will be their fourth meeting in the FA Cup in just the last 10 seasons. Reading will know that their Premier League hosts exited at this stage of the competition last season to a Championship side and will hope that lightning strikes twice.

On Sunday lunchtime ITV 1 will be showing the all Premier League tie between Brighton and Hove Albion and Cup holders Liverpool FC with their recent League meeting fresh in their minds, won comfortably by the Seagulls. Liverpool have a three to two win ratio in past FA Cup meetings including a 6-1 win eleven years ago, a game where Brighton scored three own goals. Liverpool have only once gone beyond the 4^th Round on the previous seven times they have tried to defend their FA Cup crown, whilst Brighton have been involved in the last sixteen three times in the last five seasons.

EFL Championships side Stoke City face EFL 2 high-flyers Stevenage FC in the FA Cup for the first time early Sunday afternoon, too. A Cupset for the lower league side would equal a club record FA Cup run to the 5^th Round achieved just once before 11 years ago. Stoke City appeared in the last sixteen themselves just last season.

BBC 1 will broadcast the late Sunday afternoon tie that sees National League Wrexham FC looking to knock out their second successive Championship side hoping that Sheffield United go the same way as Coventry City. The Blades lost to non-league opposition just four years ago, but did thrash Wrexham 5-1 in their only other FA Cup encounter 39 years ago. A win for Wrexham would make it the first time non-league is represented in successive last sixteens of the competition since Yeovil Town followed Colchester United 74 years ago.

The final tie of the 4^th Round takes place on Monday evening and will be shown live on ITV 4. It is exactly 100 years since the one and only other time Derby County and West Ham United met in the competition when the Hammers romped to a 5-2 Semi-Final victory to secure their place in the first ever Wembley FA Cup Final. West Ham progressed beyond this round in both the last two seasons whereas the Rams last did so three seasons ago.

This year’s 4^th Round has the fewest top-flight clubs represented in it since the 2007-08 season with just eleven Premier League clubs still standing. Just six of them made it through to the 5^th Round that season and the maximum number that can do so this year is nine.

FA Vase 2022/23 4th Rd Preview

Half of the 32 clubs involved in the FA Vase 4^th Round have never gone further in the competition before, so there could be plenty of clubs celebrating personal best runs once the round is completed.

Twelve clubs are in Round 4 for the first time including two clubs competing in the Vase for the very first time, both of which have away draws. Hellenic League Division One side Hartpury University travel to Midland Football League Premier Division opponents Atherstone Town Community Club, Quarter Finalists in the Vase just three years ago.

Northern League Division Two club Horden Community Welfare are involved in a tie that guarantees a club will be in the 5^th Round for the first time as they travel to West Didsbury and Chorlton of the North West Counties League Premier Division.

That is one of three ties where the winner is guaranteed to make FA Vase history for the club. Another North West Counties League Premier division side, Bury AFC, host Holker Old Boys from a division below in Division One North of the same League.

The other such tie involves the fourth Step Six club still standing, and the only one of the four with home advantage, as Brixham AFC from South West Peninsula League Premier East Division host Raynes Park Vale from Combined Counties League Premier South Division.

Another Combined Counties League Premier Division Side already making FA Vase history for the club this season is Jersey Bulls who host Romford FC from Essex Senior League. Like the Bulls, Pinchbeck United of United Counties League Premier Division North had only ever made it as far as the 1^st Round of the Vase in the past, and they travel to Congleton Town of North West Counties League Premier Division who last reached the 5^th Round just two seasons ago.

Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Biggleswade United had only previously made it as far as the 2^nd Round before this season and they will host Coventry Sphinx of United Counties League Premier Division South who reached the 5^th Round just last year.

Erith Town of Southern Counties East League Premier Division are already one round further than they’ve been in the competition before and they travel to Bridgwater United of The Western League Premier Division who are looking to make the 5^th Round for the first time in 18 years, although this is only their 9^th Vase campaign since then.

Corsham Town of Hellenic League Premier Division have also gone one round further in the Vase than ever done so before and they host Deal Town of Southern Counties East League Premier Division, one of only two former winners still standing in this year’s competition.

The other former winner still standing is of course the current holders, Newport Pagnell Town of United Counties League Premier Division South, who face a tough task at home to Leighton Town of Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division who have reached the Quarter Finals three times in the last five seasons.

That is one of two ties that have occurred in the FA Vase before, meeting just last season with Newport Pagnell progressing on penalties after a one-one draw. The only other repeat tie is Egham Town of Combined Counties League Premier Division North versus Peacehaven and Telscombe of Southern Combination League Premier Division. This will be their third encounter and a third success for Egham will take them into the 5^th Round for the first time ever.

North West Counties League Premier Division side AFC Liverpool will also be looking to make 5^th Round for the first time as they travel to Eccleshill United of Northern Counties East League Premier Division whose only 5^th Round appearance occurred 23 years ago.

Similarly, AFC Wulfrunians of Midland Football League Premier Division will be hoping to reach 5^th Round for the first time and they hose Anstey Nomads of United Counties League Premier Division North who reached the 5^th Round in both the last two campaigns.

The three remaining ties all involve clubs that have progressed beyond the 4^th Round in the past. Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Tring Athletic last made the 5^th Round five years ago and they host Walsall Wood of Midland Football League Premier Division who made it as far as the Semi-Finals just two seasons ago.

The Western League Premier Division side Buckland Athletic reached the 5^th Round just last season and were Quarter Finalists six years. Their visitors, Ascot United of Combined Counties League Premier Division North, have also reached the Quarter Finals in the past, last doing so for the second time eight years ago.

Two other former Quarter Finalists contest the final tie of the round as another Combined Counties League Premier Division North side, Harefield United, travel to Western League Premier Division opponents, too, in the shape of Clevedon Town who are facing a team beginning with the letter ‘H’ for the first time in the competition in what is their 20^th campaign.

Overall, seventeen different Divisions are represented across the sixteen ties, and no club will face opponents in this round whom they would face in League action this season.

FA Cup 2022-23 3rd Rd Review

Stats of the Round

Queens Park Rangers set a new unwanted FA Cup record by exiting in the 3^rd Round for the 51^st time.

Chelsea FC record run of 25 consecutive seasons progressing beyond the 3rd Round comes to an end.

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First time in 4^th Round ever

Fleetwood Town– 24^th campaign

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Equalling Best Run to 4th Round

Accrington Stanley – 4th time in 52nd campaign

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First time in 4^th Round in a while

23 years – Grimsby Town, Wrexham FC

13 years – Ipswich Town

9 years – Stevenage FC

8 years – Sunderland FC

7 years – Walsall FC

6 years – Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United

5 years – Preston North End

3 years – Birmingham City, Derby County, Reading FC, West Bromwich Albion

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Into 4^th Rd and long time since last KO before it

11 years – Manchester City

9 years – Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

6 years – West Ham United

4 years – Fulham FC, Leicester City, Southampton FC

3 years – Brighton and Hove Albion, Luton Town

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First time knocked out as early as 3^rd Rd for a while

25 years – Chelsea FC

5 years – Brentford FC

4 years – AFC Bournemouth, Barnsley FC, Norwich City

3 years – Nottingham Forest

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Consecutive 3^rd Rd Exits

7 – Aston Villa

5 – Rotherham United

4 – Watford FC

3 – Newcastle United, Shrewsbury Town

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Avenged Previous FA Cup Defeat

Coventry City 3-4 Wrexham FC (113 year wait)

Brentford FC 0-1 West Ham United (96 year wait)

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Biggest Wins of the 3^rd Rd

Middlesbrough FC 1-5 Brighton and Hove Albion

Manchester City 4-0 Chelsea FC

Hartlepool United 0-3 Stoke City

Oxford United 0-3 Arsenal FC

Blackpool FC 4-1 Nottingham Forest

Ipswich Town 4-1 Rotherham United

Derby County 3-0 Barnsley FC

Replay

West Bromwich Albion 4-0 Chesterfield FC

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Cupsets

Aston Villa (1) 1-2 Stevenage FC (4)

Coventry City (2) 3-4 Wrexham FC (5)

AFC Bournemouth (1) 2-4 Burnley FC (2)

Blackpool FC (2) 4-1 Nottingham, Forest (1)

Ipswich Town (3) 4-1 Rotherham United (2)

Fleetwood Town (3) 2-1 Queens Park Rangers (2)

Grimsby Town (4) 1-0 Burton Albion (3)

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Hat-tricks and more

None

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Miscellaneous

Manchester United conceded their first goal in an FA Cup 3^rd Round game since losing 1-2 to Swansea City in the 2013-14 season.

Sheffield United have now won all four FA Cup games against Millwall FC.

FA Cup 2022-23 3rd Round Tie-by-Tie preview

Three non-league clubs – Boreham Wood, Chesterfield FC and Wrexham FC – along with 17 EFL One and Two clubs, join the 44 clubs from the Premier League and the EFL Championship, to compete across four days of FA Cup Third Round football.

It all kicks off on Friday night, ‘live’ on ITV, as Manchester United host Everton FC. This is the most common tie of the round with the two clubs having beaten each other six times each in past FA Cup meetings. Everton have reached the Quarter Finals in both the last two seasons whilst Manchester United haven’t failed to progress beyond the 3^rd Round for nine years.

The two clubs have also twice met in FA Cup Finals, both being victorious by one goal to nil, a stat they share with one of the early kick-offs on Saturday, Preston North End versus Huddersfield Town. These two EFL Championship clubs haven’t met in the competition for 72 years, nor have they had much success in the Cup in recent times. Over the last four seasons, Huddersfield’s 2-1 win at Burnley last year was the only 3^rd Round victory in the competition between them.

Also meeting at 12.30pm on Saturday are Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth FC, who last met in the 2009/10 semi-final won 2-0 by Pompey with two extra time goals. That has been the only win for Pompey against Spurs in four past FA Cup meetings and given current League status, and the fact it is nine years since Spurs last exited in the 3^rd Round, it would be a great surprise if it didn’t become one win in five.

Another Saturday lunchtime kick-off will be broadcast ‘live’ by the BBC as EFL Two side Gillingham FC host 2021 FA Cup winners Leicester City in what will be their first meeting in the competition. The Gills have only once progressed beyond the 3^rd Round in the last 18 seasons whilst the Foxes have done so five times in the last six.

EFL One side Forest Green Rovers and Championship side Birmingham City meet in the FA Cup for the first time on Saturday lunchtime, too. This is only the third time Forest Green have made it as far as the 3^rd Round (last in 2009/10 season) and the club has yet to go further in the competition. However, their higher league opponents have exited in this round five times in the last seven seasons themselves, so a record breaking run could be on the cards.

Two Premier League sides that have been drawn together for the eighth time in the FA Cup also have a 12.30pm kick off. Crystal Palace and Southampton FC both have pretty good form in recent years in the Cup and last met in the competition at this same stage seven years ago with Palace running out 2-1 winners for their fifth victory over the Saints. The tie will evoke memories of their 1976 semi-final meeting, when both sides were outside the top flight, which was won 2-0 by the Saints on their way to lifting the Trophy that year.

The final Saturday lunchtime tie involves two Championship sides meeting in the competition for the first time in 52 years. Reading FC host Watford FC having both beaten each other twice in past FA Cup meetings. Reading beating Blackpool FC in a replay in 2020 is the only 3^rd Round victory either side has tasted over the last three seasons.

Just ten of the 32 ties kick off at the traditional Saturday 3.0pm slot. On current form Championship side Middlesbrough FC will be hopeful of causing an upset as they host Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion, although the Seagulls won their last FA Cup clash five years ago and have reached the 4^th Round at least in five of the last six seasons.

National League side Chesterfield FC host West Bromwich Albion from three divisions above, meeting in the competition for the first time. It’s eight years since the Spireites won a 3^rd Round tie but they will be encouraged by the fact that the Baggies exited at this stage of the competition in both the last two seasons.

Another National League side, Boreham Wood, also host League opposition, Accrington Stanley from EFL One. The Wood have become only the fourth non-league side to reach the 3^rd Round in three successive seasons in the competition’s current format and a Cupset win would make them only the second such club to reach the 4^th Round in consecutive campaigns.

AFC Bournemouth host Burnley FC having swapped league status with their visitors at the end of last season and having beaten their opponents 2-0 just two years ago when the divisional status was reversed. That’s the only victory the Cherries have had over the Clarets in five past Cup games, with Burnley actually recording a 7-0 replay victory 57 years ago.

EFL One side Fleetwood Town host Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers looking to reach the 4^th Round for the first time in what is their 24^th campaign. This will be the sixth chance the Fishermen have had to set a new club record run. To say QPR don’t have the best FA Cup record would be an understatement as they jointly hold the record of the most 3^rd Round exits, having gone out at this stage of the competition 50 times, although recently the Rs have made the 4^th Round three times in their last four campaigns.

Championship club Blackpool FC and Premier League Nottingham Forest will be meeting in the FA Cup for the first time. Over the last 10 years Blackpool have only twice progressed beyond the 3^rd Round. Forest have done so five times during that period.

Hull City and Fulham FC have been drawn together in the FA Cup for the fifth time with the Cottagers ahead by three wins to one and winning 4-1 the last time they met in the competition six years ago. Fulham also have made the 4^th Round in each of the last three seasons so all the stats suggest an away win, don’t they?

Championship sides Millwall FC and Sheffield United face each other in the competition for the fourth time with the South Yorkshire side being triumphant on all three previous occasions, including winning 2-0 just three years ago. Both sides went out at this stage last season, Millwall doing so for the first time in six seasons.

Shrewsbury Town have reached the 3^rd Round for the sixth successive season as a third tier club and they host Championship opponents in the shape of Sunderland FC in what will be their first FA Cup encounter. It’s eight years since Sunderland progressed beyond this round.

The final 3.0pm kick off also sees two sides meeting in the FA Cup for the first time as Ipswich Town host Rotherham United one level above them in the Championship. It’s the first time Ipswich have made it this far since they themselves dropped out of the Championship at the end of the 2018-19 season. It is 21 years, though, since Rotherham progressed beyond the 3^rd Round.

Premier League sides Brentford FC and West Ham United meet at 5.30pm on Saturday, drawn together for the second time in the competition. Brentford won last time 2-0 in a replay way back in the 1926-27 season, and by the same scoreline more recently in the Premier League on 30^th December. The Bees have also progressed beyond this round in each of the last four years, although the Hammers have done so in each of the last five seasons, so something has to give.

EFL Championship side Coventry City host the third National League side Wrexham FC having beaten their visitors 3-0 the only other time they met in the competition, 113 years ago in what was a 4^th Qualifying Round tie. The Sky Blues have made the 4^th Round three times in the last five years whilst the Red Dragons are yet to do so this Century.

Championship sides Luton Town and Wigan Athletic have met just once before in the FA Cup, too, with the Latics also winning 3-0, but just 20 years ago. The Hatters are tracking to reach the Quarter Finals this season have made it one round further in successive seasons over the past three years. Wigan are looking to make their second successive 4^th Round appearance.

It will be the first FA Cup encounter between EFL Two side Grimsby Town and Burton Albion from EFL One. Grimsby are yet to go beyond the 3^rd Round this Century, whilst Burton Albion have only done so once in that time, in the 2010-11 season, which is the furthest the Brewers have ever gone in the competition.

At 6.0pm on Saturday BBC are broadcasting ‘live’ the Sheffield Wednesday versus Newcastle United tie. It’s the seventh time these two former winners have been paired together in the competition with the Premier League side ahead by five wins to one over their EFL One side hosts, although their last meeting was 42 years ago. Last year was the first time in five seasons that the Owls exited the competition before the 4^th Round whilst Newcastle went out at this stage in both the last two seasons.

The all Premier League clash between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers is being shown ‘live’ by ITV at 8.0pm on Saturday night. The two clubs are meeting for the eighth time in the FA Cup with Wolves ahead by five wins to two, including a 2-1 victory just four seasons ago. Liverpool, of course, are the Cup holders, but they have gone out in the 3^rd Round in four of the seven previous times they were the holders.

It is a record gap of 126 years since the only other FA Cup meeting between Derby County and Barnsley FC, with only six other potential pairings that could feasibly break that record. It’s so long ago since they last met in the competition that Queen Victoria was still on the throne and Barnsley were still known as Barnsley St Peter’s. One hundred and twenty six years is also a long time to have to wait for Barnsley to avenge a heavy 8-1 defeat.

Those two EFL One sides meet on Sunday lunchtime alongside an all Championship encounter between Bristol City and Swansea City. The English side has won through all three previous occasions they’ve been drawn against their Welsh visitors, although replays were needed for two of those victories. The two clubs have similar recent records in the competition, either going out at this stage or going on a mini run. Swansea City are the only professional side in this year’s competition participating in the FA Cup for exactly the 100^th time.

There is an all EFL Two clash at 2.0pm on Sunday as Stockport County host Walsall FC who have a two to one win ratio is past FA Cup meetings over their hosts. Both club’s best run in the competition is to the 5^th Round with County last achieving that feat 22 years ago and the Saddlers last doing so two years more recently. For County it was also the last time they progressed beyond the 3^rd Round. It’s just seven years since Walsall last did that.

The all Championship tie between Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers also kicks off at 2.0pm on Sunday with Rovers winning through both previous times the two clubs have been drawn together in the competition, last doing so in 1965-66 season after a replay. Recent Cup form suggests it may be third time lucky for the Canaries as they progressed beyond the 3^rd Round in each of the last three seasons whilst their opponents have gone out at this stage in all of the last five.

A two level Cupset win for Hartlepool United over Championship opponents Stoke City would equal the best FA Cup run for the Pools, achieved for the seventh time just last season. The Potters won their first FA Cup games for six years last season.

ITV are broadcasting ‘live’ the fourth tie to kick off at 2.0pm on Sunday as Championship side Cardiff City host Premier League Leeds United. They famously last met in the competition 21 years ago when the English side were top of the Premier League but succumbed to a 2-1 defeat. The two clubs have four wins each in past FA Cup meetings with Cardiff winning 2-1 away from home in three successive seasons in the 1950s. Leeds United have the second worst current run of those sides entering the competition in the 3^rd Round having not won an FA Cup game for five years.

Kicking off at 4.30pm on Sunday is the club with the worst current record, Aston Villa, who have exited in the 3^rd Round in each of the last six seasons. Villa would hope to break that poor run this season as they host Stevenage FC from three Divisions below them, a side that last went beyond the 3^rd Round nine years ago.

Also at 4.30pm on Sunday is a ‘live’ game broadcast by BBC as Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea FC face each other. It’s the eight time they’ve been drawn together in the FA Cup with Manchester City ahead by four wins to three, although Chelsea have won on the last two occasions, 5-1 in 2015-16 and 1-0 in the 2020-21 semi-final. Chelsea acquired the unwanted record last season of losing in a third successive FA Cup Final, but the Blues are also on a record run of 25 consecutive seasons progressing beyond the 3rd Round.

The final game of the 3^rd Round takes place on Monday night at 8.0pm and will be shown ‘live’ by ITV. EFL One side Oxford United host Premier League Arsenal FC fully aware that their higher league opponents are currently top of the Premier League, have lifted the FA Cup a record number of times, and won both times the two clubs previously met in the competition, 60 years ago and 20 years ago. It could be the perfect Cupset.