FA Cup Fever - The Best Action From Saturday's Frenetic Non-Premier League Fixtures

The Best Lower League FA Cup Third Round Action from a Dramatic Saturday

The first batch of weekend third-round FA Cup fixtures was certainly one to be remembered. One of the biggest modern-day shocks occurred as non-league Macclesfield defeated last year's champions Crystal Palace, and Newcastle United and AFC Bournemouth was settled on penalties following a dramatic 3-3 draw which saw two late goals in extra time. And Manchester City ruthlessly hit ten goals past League One side Exeter City at the Etihad Stadium.

But what about the games which did not include a Premier League team? Here is a rundown of the best action from lower league sides from Saturday's matches.

Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

Championship Birmingham survived a late Cambridge fightback to earn a place in the 4th round at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

We're through to the Fourth Round 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RapvUjEtkV

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 10, 2026

The League Two side held out until the 31st minute, when January signing Kai Wagner scored his first goal since arriving at Birmingham. The German left-back joined the Blues from MLS side Philadelphia Union, where he made over 200 appearances and has had a strong start to life in Birmingham blue.

Life got better for Birmingham three minutes before half-time, when Japanese forward Kyogo grabbed his first goal for the club since August to double the lead. The former Celtic hero arrived in the West Midlands in the summer from French side Rennes but has failed to live up to expectations, yet to score a league goal in 23 matches. However, the Japan international took his strike well and Blues fans will be hoping goals in the Championship follow.

Up the Kyogo. Up the Blues. ✊

Enjoy your evening, Bluenoses. pic.twitter.com/HqmngiMilO

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 10, 2026

Marvin Ducksch made it three for Chris Davies' team twelve minutes from the ninety to seemingly secure the win; however, Cambridge fought back in the closing minutes with a brace from Sullay Kaikai in the 81st and 89th minutes.

Despite their efforts, the U's couldn't find an equaliser and Birmingham held on to claim their place in the hat for the fourth round.

Grimsby Town 3-2 Weston-super-Mare

Sixth-tier Weston-super-Mare were narrowly defeated by League Two Grimsby Town at a sunny but Baltic Blundell Park thanks to an 86th-minute winner.

Our Emirates FA Cup run comes to an end in dramatic fashion, as we more than matched our League Two hosts this evening 🩶

We did everything that we could, thank you to everyone who made the trip and to all those back home for supporting us 💪 pic.twitter.com/ULeBvI0l6v

— Weston-super-Mare AFC (@WSM_AFCOfficial) January 10, 2026

The side from the National League South matched their football league hosts until Grimsby eventually found the lead four minutes before half-time through Charles Vernam, before Luke Coulson equalised for Weston-super-Mare early in the second half to level the tie.

Jaze Kabia restored Grimsby's lead in the 70th minute; however, the non-league side repeated their trick, levelling the game at 2-2 just seven minutes later through Louis Britton in what was turning out to be a proper FA Cup tie.

However, just when it started to look like extra time would be needed, captain Kieran Green broke the hearts of the 600 Weston-super-Mare supporters as he stole the lead with four minutes of normal time to play.

Fourth Round again! 🤩#gtfc pic.twitter.com/20PvfzuYeT

— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) January 10, 2026

The away side couldn't equalise for a third time, and the Mariners earned their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Bristol City 5-1 Watford

Ashton Gate saw Bristol City thrash an in-form Watford side 5-1 to progress to the fourth round, with a hat-trick from Emil Riis Jakobsen stealing the show.

Since returning to Vicarage Road, Javi Gracia has revolutionised Watford's season, with the Hornets now firmly in the fight for a playoff place thanks to the work of the Spaniard so far, and came into this cup clash off the back of four league victories in a row.

What a performance! ✨

Vote for today's Pick of the Match! 🗳️👇

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) January 10, 2026

Jakobsen got his and his side's first after just two minutes, before Enis Mehmeti doubled Bristol City's lead in the 37th minute to round off a strong first-half performance.

The afternoon later went from bad to worse for the travelling Watford fans in the space of just three minutes, as the Robins scored two goals in quick succession midway through the second period to put the game firmly beyond their visitors.

Robert Aktinson made it three before Jakobsen got his second of the match soon after. Young forward Jack Grieves pulled one back for Watford in the 76th minute, but any hope of a comeback for the ages was swiftly put to bed. Two minutes later Jakobsen ran through and chipped the ball past the goalkeeper to claim his hat-trick and send Bristol City comfortably through.

Rounding off the win delightfully. 🤌

Watch highlights from yesterday's win, brought to you by @digitalnrgltd: 👇

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) January 11, 2026

Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

An all-championship clash at the Bet365 Stadium was settled with a contender for goal of the tournament, as a late wonderstrike from Lamine Cisse helped Stoke defeat league leaders Coventry.

Cissé’s stunner sends City through 💫 pic.twitter.com/Wk6vvOJ5gU

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 10, 2026

After an initial strong start to the campaign, former Coventry manager Mark Robins and his team have seen a dip in form in recent weeks, resulting in Stoke dropping out of the playoff places. Whilst Coventry, despite a slight dip in results in recent weeks, still remain strong at the top of the EFL Championship table.

This cup clash between the two looked like a match between two sides in indifferent form, as both Stoke and Frank Lampard's visiting Coventry failed to break the deadlock in the opening 45. Million Manhoef had the best chance of the first half as he raced through on goal early on for Stoke but dragged his effort wide of the post.

The second half saw both teams struggle to create, and with the clock ticking, it looked like extra time would be required. However, with two minutes of normal time to spare, 22-year-old Frenchman Lamine Cisse struck on the volley from 25 yards. It was an ambitious effort, but one that was rewarded as it flew into the net.

This is how Lamine Cisse scored Stoke City’s winning goal in the FA Cup 😱 pic.twitter.com/sJCTNo717m

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 10, 2026

It was a spectacular strike, one that perhaps came from an unlikely source given Cisse had yet to score in 16 league matches for Stoke. However, he will feel it was worth the wait, as his goal fittingly won the game for the Potters to send them into the hat for the fourth round draw.