A dramatic weekend in the FA Cup

Who doesn't love the FA Cup?

This weekend brought some shocks, fantastic goals and a group of teams now dreaming of a future tie against the Premier League sides.

Author | Josh T

Let's have a look at some of the most interesting matches. 

Luton Town 4 - 3 Forest Green

League One side Luton Town were given a major scare before edging past National League outfit Forest Green Rovers in a thrilling first-round encounter. Gideon Kodua came off the bench to seal victory in stoppage time, moments after the visitors had staged a remarkable fightback from three goals down to draw level.

Super News Football 2025 |  - FA Cup | Luton Town v Forest Green | Away end celebrates

Tranmere Rovers 1 - 3 Stockport County

Stockport sealed their place in the second round with a win over Tranmere Rovers. Second-half goals from Jack Diamond, Oliver Norwood and Nathan Lowe saw Dave Challinor’s side progress to Monday night’s draw, with Omari Patrick scoring Rovers’ only reply.

Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 Hemel Hempstead (Wigan won 5-3 on penalties)

Wigan Athletic survived a major scare against National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town before scraping through to the next round on penalties.

AFC Wimbledon 0 - 2 Gateshead

The Non-League side stunned Wimbledon and made light of the two tiers and 57 places that separated them.

FA Cup | AFC Wimbledon v Gateshead | View from the stands

Reading 2 - 3 Carlisle

Carlisle pulled off a remarkable comeback, overturning a 2-0 deficit to eliminate League One side Reading in extra time. Lewis Wing and Mark O'Mahony had given Reading what appeared to be a comfortable lead in Leam Richardson’s first game as manager following Noel Hunt's departure. The home side looked in control after Wing’s 32nd-minute strike and O'Mahony’s close-range finish in the 68th minute.

The turnaround was sparked by Carlisle’s introduction of Regan Linney, who scored twice in stoppage-time to level the match, including a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser. Linney then completed his hat-trick early in extra time, sealing a stunning win for Mark Hughes’ National League side. Reading struggled to respond, and their manager, booked for protesting during normal time, was unable to influence the comeback as Linney’s third goal capped a remarkable 14-goal season.

Salford City 1 - 1 Lincoln City (Salford won 4-2 on penalties)

Daniel Udoh held his nerve to convert the winning penalty as Salford City edged past Lincoln City in a shoot-out to reach the second round in dramatic fashion.

FA Cup | Salford City v Lincoln | View from the stands

Chelmsford City 4 - 1 Braintree Town

Chelmsford City claimed the sweetest of revenge against their Essex rivals Braintree, securing a place in the second round of the competition for the first time since 2012. 

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