FA Cup: Three key Moments as Non-League Teams Impress
The FA Cup has always been known for shocks and this match-week was no different, with Non- League clubs against higher opposition the main talking point in what was an interesting round of fixtures.
Boreham Wood Stun Bournemouth (Bournemouth- 0 Boreham -1)
Non-League Boreham Wood are through to the fifth round of the FA cup after beating promotion pushers Bournemouth. The magic of the cup was on the Non-League side and it showed throughout the game, they played without fear and dug in, taking the game to the cherries.
Despite all their Business in the transfer window, Bournemouth couldn’t find that cutting edge against Boreham Wood and despite being heavy favourites, they looked like the Non-League side. They played with an arrogant approach thinking they would coast to the fifth round and it ultimately came back to cost them.
United Dumped out by Middlesbrough (Man Utd- 1 Middlesbrough -1, 7-8 on penalties)
The doom and gloom continues for Manchester United and Ralf Rangnick, the future looks incredibly bleak for them as unless they pull of a miracle and start to pull some form in Europe, they will end the season with no silverware yet again. The talk about who could be their next manager continues to ravel on and with a lack of business in the summer, fans will continue to question the ambition of the clubs hierarchy.
This win will only give a confidence boost for Middlesbrough as they look to push for promotion to the Premier League, they stunned United on Friday night, refusing to just sit back and they took their chance when it came their way. They will look to push on from this in their hunt for promotion and it can only give their squad a massive boost.
Manchester United will know they were hard done by in this game, Middlesbrough scored a highly controversial goal that VAR seemingly failed to rule out, putting into question the level of referees in England as they fail to see another decision that should be clear and obvious.
Man Utd fans look set for yet another season without a trophy
Kidderminster take West Ham all the way to Extra Time (Kidderminster- 1 West Ham -2 AET)
Kidderminster were seconds away from one of the greatest FA cup upsets of recent memory by nearly knocking out Europa League contenders West Ham. They can be proud of they were able to achieve in this competition and for a club like them to get to the fourth round will only do wonders for them financially, with all the TV money they will receive.
West Ham and David Moyes will be relieved they progressed as the backlash from fans would’ve been massive. The Hammers will feel this would be their best chance of a trophy this season, and will be pleased they have progressed to the fifth round. West Ham are still competing for two trophies and are hunting for top four, they could be in for a good season if they pick up their consistency.
Kidderminster took a very early lead in the game and done well to stifle West Ham, but not before star player Declan Rice grabbed a late equalizer for the hammers and then Jarrod Bowen ultimately winning the game for them late on into extra time.