York manager Neal Ardley admitted his team rode their luck to “hang on” for a 2-1 FA Cup first round replay victory over Chester.
Captain Lenell John-Lewis bagged a brace to put the hosts in the ascendancy midway through the second period but David Stockdale was required to make two fine saves either side of a 71st-minute George Glendon reply.
York survived to book a televised Friday night home clash with 2013 cup winners Wigan on December 1 but Ardley said: “We started the game really well and could have been a couple up but, at half-time, their manager had a shout at them and we knew they would up their game because it was a cup tie and they hadn’t laid a glove on us.
“We then didn’t adapt to their intensity and they came out on the front foot while we came out on the back foot.
“It became a proper cup tie and one team’s mentality was ‘let’s go for it’ and the other was ‘can we hang on?’, but we found a way to win, even though we didn’t manage the game well enough.”
Chester boss Calum McIntyre had mixed feelings at the final whistle – pride in his team’s efforts on the night and throughout this season’s competition, but disappointment at not progressing further and
pocketing a £100,000 windfall in prize money and TV revenue.
He said: “There were big rewards on offer and I am gutted we’ve missed out on that but very proud of my football team in this game and the whole cup run we’ve been on.
“We had York on the ropes and there was a moment at the end that we shared with the supporters that was special, when the effort of the players was recognised.
“In the end, It has taken two brilliant saves from a former Premier League keeper in both the original tie and this game to get York through to the next round.”
2021 champions Garvey Maceo and Dinthill Technical both secured their spots in the semi-finals of the ISSA/Wata DaCosta Cup on Tuesday.
Garvey Maceo booked their passage through to the last four with a 2-0 win over Cornwall College at Glenmuir.
The first few minutes of the contest saw both teams playing some untidy football. Garvey Maceo was first to register a shot on target through Jelani Williams in the sixth minute.
The 2021 champions continued to apply early pressure before it was finally rewarded through a brilliant individual goal from Williams in the 10th minute.
He picked up the ball from just outside the half-way line and dribbled past three players before slotting the ball home past the Cornwall College goalkeeper for his 11th goal of the season.
Cleo Clarke almost made it 2-0 for Garvey Maceo in the 30th minute but his close-range shot only found the side netting.
Cornwall’s best chance of the first half came in the 33rd minute when Lincoln Cox found himself free for a header from a corner that he put wide of the mark.
Three minutes into the second half, Garvey Maceo doubled their lead through Cleo Clark’s 20th goal of the season.
After an Everton Swaby shot was parried well by the Cornwall College goalkeeper, the ball ricocheted to Clark who finished well with his weaker right foot.
Swaby almost added a third for Garvey Maceo in the 62nd minute but pushed his shot wide of the goal.
Dane Buckley almost pulled one back in spectacular fashion for Cornwall College with a volley that went just over the bar in the 65th minute. He also came close in the 67th minute.
Garvey Maceo advanced second place with six points, the same as Dinthill Technical, and will take on Clarendon College in the semi-finals. Clarendon College secured top spot on group A with a 2-1 win over Glenmuir at Manchester High.
Dinthill will face Glenmuir in the other semi-final.
The day’s other game saw Manchester beat Christiana 2-0 at Brooks Park.
Grimsby fought through an end-to-end first half to beat sixth-tier Slough 7-2 in their FA Cup first-round replay at Blundell Park.
The Mariners opened the scoring in the seventh minute as Arthur Gnahoua’s deflected effort on the edge of the Slough area fell to Rekeil Pyke to finish neatly.
Slough went two down in the 16th minute, with Danny Rose diving in to finish off a corner that was flicked on at the near post.
The Rebels pulled a goal back in the 19th minute – Tyrese Dyce heading in at close range – and Grimsby’s lead was completely erased in the 33rd minute by David Ogbonna.
The hosts restored their advantage in the 45th minute as Pyke headed in from six yards and they then added a fourth goal in the 65th minute through Gnahoua.
Alex Hunt came off the bench for Grimsby to remove any doubt of victory for his side as he finished off a nice team move in the 79th minute.
Gnahoua set up the fifth and scored the sixth six minutes later from a similar position, shortly followed by a seventh from Jamie Andrews.
Forest Green secured their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 5-2 victory over National League North side Scarborough.
Goals from Teddy Jenks, Kyle McAllister, Jamie Robson, Harvey Bunker and Tyrese Omotoye completed the win for the League Two strugglers.
The hosts took the lead in the fifth minute after a cross from Fankaty Dabo found its way to Jenks and his deflected effort went past Ryan Whitley in the Scarborough goal.
Troy Deeney won a penalty in the 18th minute which was converted into the top-right corner by McAllister.
Rovers went 3-0 ahead in the 30th minute when Robson tapped into an empty net.
It was 4-0 after 34 minutes as Bunker found the back of the net from a corner routine.
Scarborough got a goal back in the 41st minute through an effort from Alex Wiles that was out of reach for home goalkeeper James Belshaw.
Omotoye added a fifth in the 76th minute with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner before Michael Coulson grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.
Goals in each half from Gavin Massey and substitute Lewis Cass saw Port Vale through to the second round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 replay win over Staffordshire rivals Burton.
Massey finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute after Burton keeper Max Crocombe had made a double save from Uche Ikpeazu and Tom Sang. The winger reacted quickest to the loose ball to leave the Albion stopper with no chance and put Vale in charge of the game.
The visitors had to weather plenty of early pressure from the Brewers but crucially did not concede, allowing them to grow into the game and begin to dominate.
The goal was a reward for Vale’s attacking after Ikpeazu had missed a sitter on the rebound after Rhys Walters has forced another good save, and Ethan Chislett squandered a good chance on the stroke of half-time, firing wastefully wide.
Cole Stockton was denied an equaliser by the flag of the assistant early in the second half as Albion sought parity but Vale finally made sure of victory when Cass converted Sang’s low cross with eight minutes remaining to set up a meeting with fellow League One side Stevenage.
Stenhousemuir climbed up to second in Scottish League Two after a 2-0 win over leaders Peterhead.
The hosts went ahead after 23 minutes when Kinlay Bilham’s cross was tapped home by Michael Anderson.
Five minutes later Adam Brown took aim from outside the area and superbly curled the ball into the top corner.
Anderson could have added a third late on but his shot was just too high.
York reached the FA Cup second round for the first time since 2010 as captain Lenell John-Lewis bagged a brace to see off Chester 2-1.
Visiting skipper George Glendon reduced the deficit for the National League North side, but it is the Minstermen who now go on to entertain 2013 Cup winners Wigan in a televised Friday night clash on December 1.
York started with purpose as Dipo Akinyemi fired past the near post just six seconds into the contest before John-Lewis opened the scoring in the fifth minute.
Poor away defending saw John-Lewis afforded the space to collect Scott Burgess’ right-wing corner at the near post before turning and firing past an exposed Will Stanway from two yards.
Chester only managed one effort during the opening 45 minutes, with David Stockdale keeping out a diagonal Adam Thomas drive.
After the break, ex-York midfielder Elliott Whitehouse stabbed wide of a gaping goal following a goalmouth scramble.
But the Minstermen doubled their advantage midway through the second period when Stanway misjudged a bouncing ball, leaving John-Lewis with an empty net to grab his second goal of the night.
The visitors rallied, though, with Declan Weeks forcing a fine save from Stockdale before Glendon went on to grab his team’s consolation, beating the ex-Fulham keeper with a composed 10-yard finish after 71
minutes.
League Two Crewe came from behind to beat Derby 3-1 in their FA Cup first round replay at Pride Park.
Tom Barkhuizen gave Derby the lead but Crewe hit back through an Aaron Rowe double and a Mickey Demetriou header to deservedly go through.
Derby, who had scored twice late on to force a replay in the original tie, took the lead in the fourth minute when Lewis Billington lost out to Louie Sibley and he set up Barkhuizen to score from 12 yards.
But Crewe responded three minutes later through Rowe who fired a powerful 20-yard drive into the bottom right corner.
Rowe struck again in the 21st minute with a shot which took a big deflection to beat Joe Wildsmith, who had saved from Courtney Baker-Richardson seven minutes later.
Crewe goalkeeper Harvey Davies saved a James Collins header and tipped a Max Bird drive against the crossbar but the visitors were the better side and they scored again in the 65th minute.
Derby’s defence fell asleep at a corner and Demetriou headed past Wildsmith to book a second round home tie against Bristol Rovers.
Three goals in the opening 30 minutes saw Barnsley win 3-0 against Isthmian League Horsham.
A double from John McAtee made it a comfortable evening for the Oakwell outfit in their FA Cup replay in Sussex.
The League One side got off to the best possible start after just three minutes. A cross from Adam Phillips was only parried by keeper Lewis Carey, and Nicky Cadden followed up from close range.
Barnsley looked assured and doubled their lead seven minutes later. Aiden Marsh crossed in from the byline, and McAtee was left unmarked in the area to power his shot past Carey.
Although Horsham attempted to get a foothold in the tie, the contest was all-but over after 27 minutes.
A long ball from Jordan Williams found McAtee on the edge of the box, and with great touch he lobbed the onrushing Carey for his second of the evening – and the third for Barnsley.
A weak effort from the onrushing Lucas Rodrigues was the first notable chance for the home side.
Phillips forced Carey to tip over the bar as Barnsley successfully navigated a potentially tricky contest.
Emma Hayes admitted it would be a fairytale end to her Chelsea career by lifting the Women’s Champions League for the first time at the end of the season.
Hayes will end her 12-year stay with the west-London club after this campaign.
The Champions League is the one major trophy that has eluded the 47-year-old during that time, with the Blues having lost 4-0 in the 2021 final to Barcelona and reached the semi-finals on three other occasions.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s opening Group D fixture v Real Madrid, Hayes told a press conference: “It would be a fairytale to win it, of course. But I didn’t grow up liking fairytales – my sister did.
“I would love nothing more than to be in a winning position with this team.”
Chelsea beat Real 2-0 at Kingsmeadow last season courtesy of goals from Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert before they drew 1-1 in the Spanish capital.
And Hayes, who highlighted the threat of left-back Olga Carmona, believes the experience of playing Wednesday’s opponents has helped her side’s preparations.
She added: “We have analysed last season’s match and Real Madrid’s other matches, including this weekend’s match (7-1 win v Real Sociedad). We know what to expect.
“I think having been here helps, it’s something familiar, but we don’t underestimate them.
“They have many qualities, but I think they have the best on the extremes. The ability to go upwards, especially on the left with Olga.
“They have players looking for the back and putting balls into the area and they are very good in transition.”
Chelsea captain Millie Bright admitted the news of Hayes’ departure is “devastating”.
She said: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I was devastated.
“She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach – it’s more than football playing under her. It is the hard part of football. I feel privileged to have played under her for so long.”
Ezri Konsa had to scrap plans for a winter getaway after his late call-up but the Aston Villa defender always believed it was a case of when rather than if his England chance would come.
The talented 26-year-old has long been tipped for a senior call-up, only to once again miss out on a maiden call-up when the squad for the final Euro 2024 qualifiers was announced last Thursday.
But an injury to Lewis Dunk opened up a last-minute spot in Gareth Southgate’s set-up, leading to a surprise phone call after Villa’s 3-1 victory against Fulham at the weekend.
“I was literally driving home after my game on Sunday,” Konsa said. “Me and the missus were talking about having a little break, going away.
“Two minutes later I ended up getting the call. It was a weird feeling. It didn’t really sink in until I got home.
“The missus was crying a bit, she was more excited than me! I’d rather be here anyway (than on holiday), so it’s fine.”
It has certainly been a whirlwind few days for a player whose belief has never wavered despite much-mooted England opportunities failing to materialise break after break.
“It is a proud moment for me and my family,” said Konsa, who was part of England’s 2017 Under-20 World Cup win.
“It is a dream come true, ever since I was a little kid I wanted to play for England so I’m just grateful for the opportunity.
“I knew I had a lot to work on in my game, only recently in the last two seasons we have excelled at Villa and that part of it has helped me become the player I am today.
“I knew my time would come. It was just a matter of when. I was patient and, as I said, me and my family are really happy.
“I always believe in myself and always back myself and I am really enjoying my football now.”
From Charlton to Brentford and on to Villa, the defender has stepped up when he has needed to and is ready to do the same with England.
Konsa could make his debut in the final Euro 2024 qualifiers at home to Malta or away in North Macedonia, giving him the chance to stake his claim for next year’s finals.
“Yeah of course that is every player’s target to want to go to a major tournament and play for your country,” he said.
“That is definitely on my list and definitely something that I am planning on doing.”
Winning a cap is his first focus as Konsa looks to follow a star-studded group of graduates from Senrab – the well-known east London youth team, where coach Tony Caroll revealed he was nicknamed ‘Little Rio’.
Konsa says Rio Ferdinand was one of the players he idolised, as was John Terry – a fellow ex-Senrab player that he loved growing up and learned a lot from during his time as Villa coach.
“I worked with him for two years and he really helped my game,” Konsa said of “legend” Terry.
“I used to ask him a lot of questions on how he was able to maintain playing at such a high level and he gave me a lot of advice.
“I took that on and it has definitely helped me get to where I am today.
“Yes, he was in touch and he sent me a nice message.
“He just said ‘congratulations’ and that I needed to enjoy it and be myself.”
Referees’ chief Howard Webb believes the VAR came to the correct decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal for Newcastle which enraged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard labelled the decision a “disgrace” following his side’s 1-0 defeat last Saturday.
On-field referee Stuart Attwell awarded the goal but it took a four-minute, triple VAR check to determine whether the ball had gone out of play before Joe Willock’s cross, whether Joelinton had fouled Arsenal defender Gabriel, and whether Gordon had been offside.
The recording of the conversation between Attwell, VAR Andy Madley and assistant VAR Stuart Burt was aired on Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up.
Madley said he had no conclusive evidence that the ball was out, and he added: “I don’t see a specific foul on Gabriel. I see two hands on his back, but I don’t see anything of a push that warrants him flying forward like that.
“It’s not the goalscorer and it’s not deliberate from him.”
Madley and Burt then checked whether Gordon was offside but they were unable to ascertain whether he was ahead of the ball after it came off Joelinton, so the goal was given.
Webb admitted it “might” have been a foul, but the subjective nature of the decision meant the VAR was correct not to overturn it.
The PGMOL boss said: “An unusual situation with three aspects for the VAR to check whether or not the on-field decision of goal should be overturned.
“We see the ball getting very close to the goal line. Don’t forget we have an assistant referee who is right in line. The ball hasn’t got a lot of pace as it goes to the goal line, so he’s looking right down the line better than any of our cameras.
“And we know the ball is curved, so it can be overhanging the line and we need evidence it’s out, and we don’t have that.
“The ball then comes over and Joelinton challenges Gabriel, and it could be a foul, might be a foul. (But) the VAR decides that the evidence from the footage isn’t clear enough to intervene with a recommendation for a review for a clear error.
“With the talk we’ve seen after, that the opinion is split across a lot of analysis, would suggest that was a correct non-intervention because of the subjectivity.
“And then one of those unusual situations where the ball goes between two players, and trying to identify exactly when the ball leaves Joelinton, is really difficult to establish because of the players being so close together.
“So again, no conclusive evidence that Gordon was offside when the ball was last touched. The VAR went through that diligently and identified no clear evidence to intervene to overturn the goal. The process was actually correct.”
Arteta said he felt embarrassed about the decision in his post-match tirade.
“You have to talk about how the hell did this goal stand up? Incredible. I feel embarrassed,” the 41-year-old Spaniard said.
“I have to now come in here and try to defend the club and please ask for help because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed. An absolute disgrace.
“For many reasons, it’s not a goal. More than one reason, it’s not a goal. And there’s too much at stake here. We put so much effort (in).
“It’s so difficult to compete at this level and it’s an absolute disgrace. Again, I feel embarrassed.
“I’ve been more than 20 years in this country and this is nowhere near the level to describe this as the best league in the world, I’m sorry.”
The Buffalo Bills have made a coordinator change, hoping it will give their sputtering offence a jolt.
The Bills announced on Tuesday that they've fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. He has been replaced on an interim basis by second-year quarterbacks coach Joe Brady.
The staffing change came the morning after Buffalo turned the ball over four times in a 24-22 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Monday's defeat marked the Bills' second straight loss and fourth in six games as the three-time defending AFC East champions dropped to 5-5 and 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Miami Dolphins.
Dorsey was in his second season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator after serving as the team's quarterbacks coach since 2019.
The Bills were second in the NFL in scoring last season with an average of 28.4 points per game, but are averaging 20.5 points in their last six contests.
A big part of Buffalo's struggles stems from the team's inability to take care of the ball, with 18 turnovers on the season - second most in the NFL.
Two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen has been in the middle of the team's turnover woes, throwing two interceptions and fumbling once on Monday. His 11 interceptions are the most in the NFL.
Allen's first game with Brady running the offence will come Sunday against the visiting New York Jets.
Eric Dier believes it is still possible for Tottenham to win the Premier League this season.
Spurs made a great start to life under Ange Postecoglou, going unbeaten in their opening 10 games and topping the table.
But the wheels have come off in the last two games as they were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea with nine men and then lost 2-1 at Wolves in a game where they were leading going into stoppage time.
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Dier, who found himself out of the team at the start of the season, says Spurs can still be in the mix along with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
“We’re still at the start of the season, there is still a long way to go,” he said at Web Summit in Lisbon.
“I am experienced enough to know anything is possible.”
Dier’s own future remains in doubt as he is out of contract in the summer and he will be able to talk to foreign clubs at the end of next month.
While the 29-year-old, who grew up in Portugal and played for Sporting Lisbon, is insistent he would like to return to his childhood home once he has retired, he could not promise he will play for Sporting again.
“One day I am sure I will be back. I think it is inevitable, if my wife wants to, we’ll come back one day to live when I have finished my career,” he added.
“To come back and play here, you never know, I can’t say.
“Sporting is my club, it will always be my club, it’s where I spent 12 years. Portugal as well for me is my home.
“I’m 29 so I hope I have a lot of years left to play. I’m still young. Football is my priority.”
Wales midfielder Jordan James is targeting Euro 2024 qualification after enjoying the “best night of my life” against stellar Croatia trio Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic.
Croatia have often carried the tag of having the best midfield in world football, but they had few answers in Cardiff last month as Wales beat them 2-1 to keep hopes of playing at Euro 2024 alive.
James, the 19-year-old Birmingham midfielder, had a huge part to play in that victory alongside Ethan Ampadu, and Wales now meet Armenia and Turkey this week with automatic qualification in their own hands.
“It was probably the best night of my life, as a collective and for me personally,” James said.
“Seeing my family in the crowd and how proud they were, it was a massive win for the country. Hopefully we can do the same in the next two games.
“I don’t think it gets much better than that, but we’ve still got a job to do.
“On paper, that was the toughest game in the group, but we’re not going to take the next two games lightly.
“We know what it means to the country to get to these big tournaments, so that’s our focus and hopefully we can do that.
“Coming into this camp now, we’ll look back on that Croatia game and take confidence into the next two.”
Hereford-born James was capped by England at Under-20 level but qualifies for Wales through his father Tony, who played for his hometown club Newport.
James only made his debut in March – coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw away to Croatia in Split – but has started the last two qualifiers, both of which Wales won.
He has now won six caps – an incredible 164 fewer than Real Madrid star Modric – and quickly struck up an effective partnership with Leeds midfielder Ampadu.
“It’s been great. As soon as I played with him the first time, we just clicked,” James said.
“We just work off each other, I think you saw that against Croatia. When we didn’t have possession, we were solid, we did our job and that’s the main thing.
“Ethan is a brilliant player and it’s very easy to play with him. I see him as a leader and I study how he plays because he’s somewhere I want to get to. I could see him being captain one day.
“I’ve had massive trust from the gaffer (Rob Page) at such a young age. Playing for your country, there is a risk but he took it and I’m just trying to repay him for what he’s done for me.”
Wales will secure a top-two place in Group D by taking maximum points from Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday and already-qualified Turkey at the Cardiff City Stadium three days later.
Dropped points will leave Wales relying on favourable results elsewhere if they are to avoid the play-offs in March where the likes of Norway, Poland and Ukraine could be lurking.
Armenia, ranked 95th in the world and 67 places below Wales, stunned Page’s side with a 4-2 Cardiff victory in June.
James said: “There is a bit of revenge there because you don’t like losing.
“We’re athletes, we want to compete, and we don’t like losing against any team.
“It’s not nice and we want to get one back on them. But we know we’ve got a job to do.
“We want to get it done and then focus on Turkey.”
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