FA Cup First Round: Leicester Beat Oxford City 4-2 in Six-Goal Thriller, Bristol Rovers Beat Cambridge United 2-0
Two Emirates FA Cup first round ties were played on Friday night, November 6. Leicester City beat non-league Oxford City 4-2 in a six-goal thriller. Bristol Rovers beat Cambridge United 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium. Both winners go through to the second round.
Oxford City 2-4 Leicester City. Leicester avoided a cup upset at Marsh Lane against the National League North side. The League One club were in this stage of the competition for the first time since 2008. They enjoyed 80 per cent of possession in the opening 15 minutes, and a minute later Louis Page gave them the lead. The 18-year-old was found by Bobby De Cordova-Reid after a one-two with Sammy Braybrooke, and he hit the ball home from just under 30 yards, helped by a deflection. It was his first senior goal.
Oxford City were not deterred. In the 31st minute, Scott Pollock, a former Leicester trialist, whipped an in-swinging corner into the box with his left foot, and it went straight into the net. That made it 1-1 at half-time, and Oxford had also had more shots in the first half, five to four.
Leicester's head coach Russell Martin made a change that turned the game. He brought on 18-year-old Harry Howell in the second half. Howell was named player of the match. In the 53rd minute, he put in a cross for Emil Riis, who headed the ball in to make it 2-1. Howell then helped set up the next goal, and Kamari Doyle guided his finish around the defender with the outside of his boot to make it 3-1.
Oxford City ensured a nervy finish. Josh Ashby lobbed goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli after picking up a loose ball from John Lundstram, and it was 3-2. Substitute Tom Watson then wrapped up the tie with a composed finish eight minutes from time. Olabade Aluko nearly made it 4-3 late on, but his header hit the crossbar.
Bristol Rovers 2-0 Cambridge United. The League Two side beat a team from the division above. The first half was scrappy. Cambridge's Sullay Kaikai came close when his free-kick hit the crossbar just before half-time.
The game came to life after the break. Tottenham loanee Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny, who is 20, put Rovers ahead in the 57th minute with a low shot into the bottom corner. Fabrizio Cavegn doubled the lead 15 minutes later with a shot from range. Kaikai then hit the bar again, this time from the penalty spot, as Cambridge could not find a way back. Rovers were the first team into the second round.