The FA Cup First Round witnessed a series of upsets on Saturday, November 1, 2025, as three non-league teams, Carlisle United, Gateshead, and Boreham Wood, defied the odds to advance to the next round. Their victories over higher-division opponents underscored the magic and unpredictability that define this historic competition.
Carlisle United, managed by Mark Hughes, orchestrated a remarkable comeback against League One's Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Reading, under the guidance of their new manager Leam Richardson, appeared to be cruising to victory with goals from Lewis Wing and Mark O'Mahony. However, Carlisle's Regan Linney, who came on as a substitute in the 69th minute, turned the game on its head with a sensational hat-trick. Linney scored twice in stoppage time to force extra time before completing his hat-trick in the 94th minute, securing a 3-2 victory for the National League side. Linney's goals increased his season total to 14. This defeat was particularly harsh for Richardson, who had only taken over as Reading manager earlier in the week.
Gateshead, another National League team, also produced a shock result by defeating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 away from home. Kain Adom gave Gateshead an unexpected lead, and Fenton John doubled their advantage early in the second half. Tiernan Brooks, the Gateshead goalkeeper, made several crucial saves to deny AFC Wimbledon and preserve his team's lead. Alun Armstrong, the Gateshead manager, expressed his excitement before the match, recognizing the significant challenge his team faced against a strong League One opponent. Despite being considered underdogs, Gateshead displayed resilience and determination to secure a memorable victory.
Boreham Wood completed the trio of non-league giant-killers with an impressive 3-0 victory over League Two's Crawley. Matt Rush's early goal and Zak Brunt's penalty gave Boreham Wood a commanding lead within the first 15 minutes. Crawley's Ryan Loft was sent off before halftime, further compounding their woes. Abdul Abdulmalik added a third goal in the 72nd minute to seal Boreham Wood's place in the next round. Boreham Wood's manager, Luke Garrard, praised his team's excellent performance, particularly in the first half. Crawley boss Scott Lindsey was critical of his team's performance, saying they played like an under-10s team and that it felt like the FA Cup "didn't mean enough".
These results highlight the enduring appeal of the FA Cup, where teams from different tiers of the football league system compete for the chance to win a major trophy. The success of Carlisle, Gateshead, and Boreham Wood demonstrates that anything is possible in football, regardless of league status. The draw for the next round will be eagerly anticipated by fans of these clubs, who will be dreaming of further upsets and a continued run in the competition.
