Five Notable Upsets from the FA Cup Third Round

The FA Cup’s third round consistently delivers excitement and is a highlight of the football season.

This stage sees England’s top teams join the competition, facing lower-tier clubs.

This year, Exeter City aims for an upset as they head to Manchester City. Meanwhile, non-league Macclesfield is set to host the defending champions, Crystal Palace, at the Leasing.com Stadium.

In anticipation of these matches, we look back at some of the most memorable third-round upsets in FA Cup history.

Here are five notable third-round upsets:

Hereford 2-1 Newcastle – 1972

In 1972, Hereford United stunned Newcastle in one of the FA Cup’s biggest surprises. After a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park, they hosted a replay at their home ground, Edgar Street, creating an electric atmosphere.

With fans climbing walls and trees for a view, the part-time team entered the pitch to the Rocky theme music, gearing up for an upset.

Newcastle seemed poised to win when Malcolm McDonald scored late in the game. However, Ronnie Radford’s remarkable long-range strike equalized, leading to extra time.

In that added period, Ricky George scored the winning goal, making history as Hereford became the first non-league team in 23 years to defeat a top-flight side in a competitive match.

Bournemouth 2-0 Manchester United – 1984

Bournemouth, managed by Harry Redknapp, achieved a significant cup upset by eliminating holders Manchester United in 1984. The third-tier Bournemouth team played well against their prestigious opponents, who were already struggling that season.

Milton Graham opened the scoring after a mishap by United’s goalkeeper. Ian Thompson added another goal, securing a well-deserved victory for Bournemouth. Redknapp called it the “greatest day” of his life, though promised rewards did not materialize.

Sutton United 2-1 Coventry City – 1989

In 1989, Sutton United shocked Coventry City, the 1987 FA Cup winners and a top-flight team. Sutton took an early lead with a header from Tony Rains.

Despite Coventry equalizing through David Phillips, Sutton regained control with Matthew Hanlon scoring the winner from a set-piece, sealing a memorable victory.

Sutton’s journey ended in the next round with a heavy loss to Norwich, but their achievement remained significant for years.

Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal – 1992

Wrexham pulled off a remarkable win against Arsenal in 1992, despite the Gunners being favorites with recent success. Arsenal scored first with Alan Smith’s goal.

However, Wrexham rallied back with Mickey Thomas scoring a stunning free kick to equalize, followed quickly by Steve Watkins putting them ahead, leading to a famous upset.

Manchester United 0-1 Leeds – 2010

The rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds took a surprising turn in 2010. Leeds, having fallen from the Premier League, faced a strong United side that had seen considerable success.

Despite the disparity in league status, it was Leeds who triumphed, with Jermaine Beckford scoring to secure their place in the next round. This defeat marked a notable moment in Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial career, ending his record of never losing to lower league teams in the third round.