Armed with tin foil cut-outs of the FA Cup, cardboard signs pledging their support to the Stones and (more bizarrely) banana outfits, it was the huge non-league travelling contingency of more than 4,000 that were victors and booked their place in Monday’s draw for the last 16.
Despite mustering 38 shots against Maidstone’s two, it was the team 99 places below Ipswich in the football pyramid that advanced.
The difference in quality between Town and George Elokobu’s National League South promotion hopefuls was clear for all to see.
Jeremy Sarmiento, whose late goal at Leicester City rescued Town a point, and Omari Hutchinson both struck the upright whilst Sone Aluko and skipper Sam Morsy also had good chances to score.
The best chance was George Edmundson’s, however, with the former Rangers central defender glancing a header wide of the post from six yards when it seemed harder for him to miss the target. But despite Kieran McKenna’s side recording 18 shots during a dominant first-half, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock first.
Town, pushing for an opener, looked to attack from a corner but the non-league outfit dealt with it well. Liam Sole’s excellent diagonal pass across the pitch then picked out Lamar Reynolds who on 43 minutes calmly chipped over Christian Walton to score his first goal for the club.
The deft finish sparked bedlam scenes among the Stones’ players and coaching staff – many of whom ran onto the pitch to celebrate – as well as their boisterous 4,472 travelling supporters.
Town started the second half in a similar fashion to the first and kept testing Lucas Covolan in the Stones’ goal. And eventually they found the back of the net courtesy of another energetic move from Sarmiento.
The tricky wideman, on-loan from Brighton, was fed the ball by Jack Taylor and drifted inside from a wide space. He shot low and hard, beating Covolan at the near post.
From there it seemed like Town would kick-on and prove their Championship status over their non-league rivals. But that certainly wasn’t what Maidstone had planned.
For all of Sarmiento and Hutchinson’s spark out-wide, their teammates in central positions regularly seemed slow on the ball and short of ideas. And so when Morsy played a weak ball straight between Sarmiento’s feet, the pressing of ex-Town youngster George Fowler allowed Reynolds to dart down the flank before letting Sam Corne, for the second round in a row, score the match-wining goal.
Blues boss Kieran McKenna said: “Anger usually comes if there was a lack of effort from the players and I didn’t think there was any of that. I didn’t think there was a lack of respect to the opponent or effort on the pitch.
“We tried lots and created lots of opportunities. Nobody tried not to take them. Their goalkeeper had a fantastic game. The first goal is something we need to learn from but it’s of course disappointing mostly for the supporters but for everyone at the club that we’ve not been able to go through.
“We’ve not gone through for a long time and have been knocked out at home to a lower-league team so of course it’s a horrible game to lose. It’s been a bad day for us but I don’t have any complaints about the players.”
Town will have felt hard done-by when Premier League referee Anthony Taylor failed to spot Paul Appiah’s hanging foot causing Edmundson to tumble inside the penalty area. The top-flight official instead brandished a yellow card to the Town man and, without the benefit of VAR, it was a decision that could not be reviewed.
But for Maidstone United this is a journey that began back in September with a 4-1 win over Steyning Town in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. The Stones will soon have played eight rounds in this year’s tournament.
To put that into perspective, if a Premier League or Championship team wins the competition then they will have only played in six rounds. Maidstone United have now won more than £350,000 in prize money
“Today was about our supporters,” boss Elokobi said afterwards. “Maidstone United is nothing without its supporters and its community. To see them turn up on this day to make it historic for our players is just incredible.
“I wanted to speak to the fans beforehand to show our gratitude to them. It was their day and not ours. Obviously we are the ones playing but they mean so much to us. We wanted them to enjoy every bit of today and we didn’t want a single bit of today to go by without taking photos and videos.
“We wanted them to enjoy this occasion because they don’t come around very often. As a football club we had some very tough times last season and I kept telling and reminding the supporters to trust the process and to believe. I knew we would be smiling again and look at us today. We’re definitely smiling.”
Ipswich Town XI: Walton, Ball (Clarke 57), Tuanzebe, Edmundson, Humphreys (Davis 57), Morsy (C), Taylor, Hutchinson (Burns 69), Aluko (Chaplin 57), Sarmiento (Buabo 69), Broadhead.
Unused Subs: Slicker, Woolfenden, Travis, Harness.
Maidstone United XI: Covolan, Hoyte (C), Fowler, Appiah, Berkeley-Agyepong (Gurung 63), Corne, Duku, Reynolds (Court,74), Kyprianou, Bone (Iandolo. 74), Sole (Greenidge 58).
Unused Subs: Ezennolim, Earle, Smith.
Attendance: 27, 763 (4,472 away)
]]>The Welsh public had waited some 45 years to see all four sides in the third round, but fans will look back on this historic weekend with contrasting views.
New Swansea City Boss Luke Williams will have been satisfied to see his new boys overcome Morecombe at home in West Wales. Charlie Patino gave the Swans a first half lead before Jerry Yates blasted in a second to put the Championship side into the hat for the fourth round draw. Tougher tests await the former Notts County manager in the Swansea hot seat.
No such joy for the capital city however, as Cardiff City crashed out of the competition 4-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday. A makeshift City side did not make things easy for themselves at Hillsborough, contributing an own goal and two missed penalties. The Bluebirds have found goals hard to come by of late and will have been interested to see transfer target Kieffer Moore grab a headed goal for Bournemouth at QPR.
Newport County will be kicking themselves after failing to defeat 10-man Eastleigh at Rodney Parade. The National League side earned a terrific result and find themselves also in the draw for the next round alongside their Welsh opponents. Both will await the draw with excitement.
The ‘tie of the round’ from a Welsh perspective saw Wrexham make the short trip to Shrewsbury for a sell-out clash with nearby Shrewsbury Town. Prost were in the press box for this one.
Despite the modern if modest surroundings of the Croud Meadow, Shrewsbury, this game took place in an old school, white hot atmosphere between two sides separated by little more than the England/Wales border.
A sea of yellow & blue flags turned the Salop Leisure Stand into a mini San Siro. At the opposite, a sold out away contingent brought 1600 Welsh to Shropshire.
In a frantic opening, Taylor Perry, Cheyenne Dunkley and Jordan Shipley saw early chances for the home side. Paul Mullin fired over for the men in red.
Notwithstanding the intensity of the battle, the game showed little signs of composure as both sides threw themselves into the fray. Tummise Sobowale wasted a chance near the half hour mark. Salop sighed with a heavy heart.
Perry fired over for Town after good work by Joe Anderson down the right but, with each side now attacking their noisy home fans after the interval, the scruffy, lusty pattern of the first half continued.
Shrewsbury’s Malvind Benning almost illuminated the darkening skies with a cool strike with the outside of his boot after a twinkling run, but this was a rare moment of class in a tough game. As if to emphasise the point, Elliot Lee sent a poor shot over the opposite crossbar in response.
The deadlock was broken on 72 minutes as Thomas O’Connor’s shot deflected past Marko Marosi to send the travelling Welsh fans into gleeful celebration. A scruffy yet precious goal.
Finally we saw some composure as the visitors protected their lead with calm resolution, threatening on the break. Perry wasted chances to equalise late in the day but that was that.
So its Swansea, Wrexham and (just) Newport County who take the Red Dragon into the draw for round four.
DAVID COLLINS
WELSH FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
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Chelsea made changes but maintained a strong XI as they looked to remain in both cup competitions. There was a full debut awarded to Alfie Gilchrist in defence.
They played a Preston side that had lost four of their last five in the Championship, but still found it difficult to break down their opposition.
In the first haklf, Raheem Sterling blazed over after a scramble on the edge of the area, and Cole Palmer directed the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat from eight yards out.
The visitors then had a half chance just under half an hour in as the big Montenegrin striker Milutin Osmajic drilled an effort on target.
Still on the comeback trail from a horrific ACL injury, Armando Broja struggled to get into the game in the first half but put Chelsea ahead just before the hour with a well directed header home off the back of a sumptuous delivery from Malo Gusto.
Broja very nearly earned a second in as many minutes with a header onto the crossbar, but the Blues would find a second from Thiago Silva as the Brazilian headed home from a corner after poor Preston marking.
Raheem Sterling put some extra shine on the night with a peach of a free kick, before VAR awarded Chelsea a fourth courtesy of Enzo Fernandez.
Whilst the scoreline may have not told the story of a Preston side that were very much in the game for three quarters of the contest , Pochettino and the Chelsea fans will surely be delighted with the clinical nature that they ended the game.
A safe passage into the 4th Round means that a cup double is still on for the West London side despite their poor league form. They travel to Middlesbrough in the week for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Meanwhile Preston will return to the second tier grindstone and hope to change their fortunes in order to push back on towards the top six with a game against Bristol City at Deepdale.
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]]>During the week, the discourse around Southampton was that this game was going to be an opportunity to make some changes, and that came to fruition with nine being made by Saints in what remained a strong XI.
There were starts for youngsters Samuel Amo-Ameyaw and Jayden Meghoma, the latter of whom was making his St.Mary’s Stadium debut.
Walsall knew against a highly talented Southampton side who like to dominate possession that they’d have to defend well and keep the scores level as long as possible if they were to win this game.
However, it took the Saints just six minutes as Ryan Fraser, making consecutive starts for the first time since September, latched on to a long ball by Taylor Harwood-Bellis and coolly slotted past Jackson Smith.
Despite the early setback, Walsall did not capitulate and defended resolutely against the clockwork pressure from the hosts.
Frenchman Sekou Mara ballooned the ball over the bar from just six yards out in a rare start as he failed to extend the advantage in the first half.
Walsall manufactured a couple of half chances in the first half, but were gifted two golden opportunities in the early exchanges of the second period as Southampton reverted back to the unwanted habits of earlier in the season by giving the ball away in dangerous areas playing out from the back.
In the first instance Jack Stephens gave the ball straight to Tom Knowles on the edge of the area. The Walsall wing back took on Jayden Meghoma but will have felt he could have done better as he blasted over the bar.
Moments later, Saints escaped again after Mason Holgate inexplicably gave away possession on the edge of his own area. This time it was Jack Earing who claimed the loose ball and with a great sight of the target, skewed the ball wide with a woeful effort.
Against top level Championship opposition, Walsall simply had to take those chances and were made to pay as Saints extended their lead just before the hour.
Ryan Fraser drove towards the byline on the left-hand side and played the ball into the centre of the penalty area where Sekou Mara was awaiting. The Frenchman then made sure he made amends for his earlier miss as he swivelled on the ball and fired into the roof of the net past Smith.
– Southampton’s Sekou Mara celebrates his second goal of the season
The second goal knocked the leftover stuffing out of the Saddler’s as Saints grabbed a third, this time Fraser getting his name on the scoresheet for the second time with a cultured right footed first time finish into the far corner on the edge of the area.
With the game done and dusted, Walsall were simply in survival mode as wave after wave of Southampton attack crashed against them.
Incidentally though, the fourth goal came from somewhat of a counter attack as the ball was won back by the Saints and played forward towards Sekou Mara. A messy but effective exchange between Mara and Charly Alcaraz allowed the Argentine to slip Che Adams through, with the Scotsman displaying his strength in holding off the defender and squeezing the ball home.
The circumstances also allowed cameos for Saints youngsters Tyler Dibling and Cameron Bragg, the latter of which making his senior debut.
All in all, it was a good afternoon’s work for the Championship side, who perhaps made their life more difficult than it needed to be for 50 minutes but eventually displayed their quality. Progression into the 4th Round, four goals and a clean sheet equates to a job well done by Martin’s side.
As for Mat Sadler’s Saddler’s, they may rue the missed opportunities at the start of the second half, but will have learned plenty from playing against a quality outfit.
Southampton will now return their focus to their Championship promotion push as they welcome relegation threatened Sheffield Wednesday to the south coast next weekend.
Walsall sit just three points off the League Two play-offs, but next face a stern test at Edgeley Park against league leaders Stockport County.
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]]>Seven changes were made by the visitors who sit aloft England’s second tier, but that did not prevent them from taking an early lead in this clash with the South East London side.
Premier League winner Marc Albrighton, making his first start since the Carabao Cup game with Liverpool in September, delivered a tantalising ball to the back post where Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei rose highest to head home.
The young Italian midfielder then turned provider just before half time as he slipped a ball through to Ricardo Pereira who had made a foray forward, allowing the Portuguese full back to squeeze an effort past Matija Sarkic hard and low.
After conceding a second before the break, it was imperative for Millwall to score first in the second half, and they did just that when Duncan Watmore directed home a Zian Flemming header.
Watmore, the former Sunderland and Middlesbrough player, proved to be the most productive player for the hosts, frequently demanding the ball and manufacturing openings for his side.
It was, however, a defensive lapse that allowed Leicester to restore their two goal cushion, when a long ball forward from Callum Doyle completely evaded the two Millwall centre halves, sending Tom Cannon clean through.
Prior to New Year’s Day, the 21-year-old signed by Enzo Maresca from Everton in the summer had yet to score for the club. But after Sarkic came charging out 15 yards out of his box and missed the ball, Cannon’s decision was made for him as he slotted into the empty net for his third goal in six days.
Millwall did get one back late on courtesy of a smart first time finish from Zian Flemming, but the visitors held on and progress into the last 32.
Joe Edwards’ side will now have full focus on their Championship campaign, starting back at the Den against Middlesbrough.
Leicester await the discovery of their 4th Round opponents, but will next make the short trip to face Coventry City in another early kick off in the Championship.
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]]>Liverpool bounced back from their defeat at the weekend in good style thanks to Elliott’s goal where he carried the ball from the half-way line before finding the back of the net.
The third-round replay saw Jurgen Klopp make eight changes to his Liverpool side that lost 3-0 to Brighton in the Premier League. Klopp labelled the previous fixture the worst performance he’s experienced in his career and the Reds were eager to rebound from this.
The game began rather bizarrely with a powercut within the first 15 seconds of play as Wolves attacked down the right-side with Adama Traoré.
Play resumed however unlike the radio broadcasts for the meantime as José Sá was tested nearly spilling the ball early on before Cody Gakpo had a shot from just outside the area with Liverpool starting brightly.
Aït-Nouri forced a block in the box from Liverpool before the Reds went up the other end and scored.
Harvey Elliott then scored, charging from the half-way line before hitting it with his left-foot past Sá in goal who wasn’t very well positioned.
It sparked jubilant scenes for the traveling away fans with the Reds taking a much deserved lead.
Kostas Tsimikas fired just over the bar from the left-side of the box in the 16th minute before tensions arose on the sidelines between Jurgen Klopp and Julen Lopetegui.
Wolves began to grow into the game enjoying the majority of possession approaching the half-hour mark.
Cody Gakpo looked to test Sá from the right-side of the box with a powerful shot going just over the bar in the 31st minute before Fabio Carvalho thought he had made it 2-0.
The winger found the back of the net yet was ruled offside much to the home side’s delight.
Adama Traoré had a chance to make it 1-1 for Wolves yet squandered the opportunity, firing wide from the right-side of the box after making one of his usual blistering runs down the wing.
Liverpool took the 1-0 lead into half-time thanks to Elliott’s goal, with the Reds showing a vast improvement to their performance at Brighton. Wolves ended the half without a shot on target and Julen Lopetegui will have most certainly be keen for this to change in the second half.
Wolves introduced Nélson Semedo and Matheus Nunes for the second-half replacing Joe Hodge and Dexter Lembikisa.
The hosts wanted a penalty for a handball on Naby Keïta, but it clearly hit the midfielder’s shoulder before Adama blazed high over the bar from the edge of the box on the hour mark.
Matheus Cunha and Daniel Podence replaced João Moutinho and Jonny for Wolves before Liverpool introduced Mo Salah, Curtis Jones and Nat Phillips for Cody Gakpo, Fabio Carvalho and James Milner.
Wolves started to come alive as they pressed for a leveller. Skipper Ruben Neves delivered a delightful raking pass that found Matheus Nunes in the box who lobbed a weak effort into the hands of Caoimhin Kelleher.
Nat Phillips was then booked for a trip on a Wolves player on the edge of the area giving Ruben Neves a chance to try and curl a free-kick past Kelleher. However, the Liverpool goalkeeper was untested as the Portuguese midfielder fired over the bar.
Ben Doak then replaced Thiago and Fabinho for Stefan Bajčetić for Liverpool as we entered the final quarter of the game.
Raúl Jiménez had a huge chance to level the game on 78 minutes heading over at close-range from Adama Traoré’s cross.
Raúl Jiménez made way for Diego Costa in the 83rd minute before Cunha volleyed high and wide after lovely play from Wolves on the left with Costa.
Curtis Jones nearly found Liverpool a second goal from the left-side of the box pulling his shot just wide before Cunha was involved again, heading into Kelleher’s hands as five minutes of additional time was announced.
Cunha earned Wolves a late corner as the home side grew desperate for an equaliser yet they couldn’t find it with a poor set-piece taken short by Podence.
Liverpool saw out the game claiming victory in the Midlands as they look to retain the FA Cup trophy and they will travel to Brighton in the fourth round.
Wolves: Sá, Lembikisa, Collins, Toti, Jonny, Hodge, Neves (c), Moutinho, Traoré, Jiménez, Aït-Nouri
Subs: Šarkić, Podence, Hwang, Cunha, Semedo, Kilman, Nunes, Costa, Bueno
Liverpool: Kelleher, Milner, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas, Bajčetić, Thiago, Keïta, Elliott, Carvalho, Gakpo
Subs: Alisson, Fabinho, Salah, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Robertson, Matip, Phillips, Doak
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]]>Struggling Liverpool will hope to bounce back from a 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton last weekend while Wolves, who have also struggled so far this season, come with confidence after seeing off West Ham at Molineux in their previous fixture.
The Wanderers pulled themselves out of the relegation zone with Daniel Podence firing home the winning goal for the 1-0 win.
And, Wolves will hope to find the back of the net at home once again tonight with Jurgen Klopp saying his side need to go ‘back to basics’ to improve their form.
The previous tie at Anfield was filled with goals and drama with Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah on the score sheet for Liverpool, and Gonçalo Guedes and Hwang Hee-chan for Wolves.
Julen Lopetegui’s side thought they’d won the game when Toti flicked home, but the linesmen had ruled it offside earlier in the move.
Debate has occurred since the game at Anfield whether the goal was rightly or wrongly ruled out, but nevertheless the decision cannot be overturned after the whistle and the sides will meet again tonight to face-off for a place in the fourth round of the competition.
Wolves will look to right the wrong and progress after exiting the Carabao Cup last week in controversial circumstances. The FA Cup represents the Wanderers’ last chance at silverware this season and the same could be argued for Jurgen Klopp’s reds.
Liverpool find themselves with a tough Champions League round of 16 tie against Real Madrid and out of contention for challenging for the league title, sitting ninth in the Premier League from 18 games.
The Liverpool of this season has been very different to the side of recent years that football fans have become used to seeing towards the top of the table, and the same could be said for Wolves at the bottom. However, Julen Lopetegui is changing things for the better, with his side on the up.
Midfielder Pablo Sarabia is set to have a medical today before completing a £4.4m move to Molineux from Paris Saint Germain, which Wolves fans may think is a steal.
The 30-year-old Spain international will not be signed in time to feature in tonight’s FA Cup game however, likewise to the unavailable Mario Lemina who isn’t registered to play following his £9m move from Nice.
FA Cup rules state: “All players must have been eligible to play in the original tie in order to play in a match which is replayed, postponed or ordered to be replayed.”
Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez is edging closer to fitness after a minor muscle injury and remains a doubt to play a part in the game likewise to Roberto Firmino who is still not fit.
We can expect to see the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner and Stefan Bajčetić feature for Liverpool in the midfield as well as Fabio Carvalho who may be used having not featured in the past five matches.
Liverpool, the current holders of the trophy after beating Chelsea in the final last year, are below par this season and Jurgen Klopp labelled their performance at Brighton: “bad, really bad.”
Klopp said ahead of tonight’s game: ““We need fresh legs. The easy thing for me is to sit here and tell the boys ‘At Brighton you put us in the situation so let’s see how you can get us out of it’.”
“But that would mean I am out of responsibility (not being responsible) and I just can’t.”
Despite Liverpool not possibly carrying the same amount of threat into the game as they would’ve in previous years, Julen Lopetegui acknowledged the Reds’ quality.
He said: “Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world.
“The quality of his [Klopp’s] players, the coach, his history.
“I’m sure they’re going to come here and look to do a big match. We have to be ready to overcome them.
“The FA Cup is going to be an important aim for them – us too – we have to fight to overcome one of the best teams in the world.”
We will see who will progress and who will exit the FA Cup tonight out of Wolves and Liverpool from Molineux tonight.
K/O: 7:45pm from Molineux
Keep an eye out for the match report later this evening and quotes piece tomorrow.
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Leeds’ American manager Jesse Marsch, who replaced Marcelo Bielsa as head coach in February 2022, made seven changes for this tie whilst Mark Hudson also shuffled his pack with important league games on the horizon.
The Cardiff boss was also unable to call on key players such as strikers Kion Etete and Callum Robinson due to illness. Gavin Whyte, Cédric Kipré, Rubin Colwill and others were also absent from his starting lineup.
An almighty travelling turnout from Leeds gave a terrific welcome to the men in white as they appeared from the tunnel. ‘Marching On Together’ boomed across the home of the Bluebirds.
Darko Gyabi fired an early shot in for the visitors in the early stages as rain fell heavily. Despite early Leeds pressure though, it was the home side who forced the first corner as they settled into battle.
Local lad Isaak Davies chased any ball that was sent forward by the Bluebirds. Welsh international Mark Harris was also full of running. Darko Gyabi was prominent for the visitors and showed some neat footwork, whilst Crysencio Summerville fired narrowly over for Leeds after 20 minutes.
Grey numbers on the white Leeds shirts made identification difficult, but there was no mistaking Jaden Philogene as he fired the hosts ahead on 24 minutes after Harris had got in behind the visiting defence.
Wilfried Gnonto saw yellow for simulation and Pascal Struijk also caught the attention of referee Jarred Gillett as the mood of the game switched in favour of the Welsh side.
Cue more glee for the home fans as Shey Ojo doubled the lead on the half-hour mark. Silence descended now over the previously boisterous away fans.
Leeds seemed powerless to overcome the confidence shown by the Bluebirds who ended the first half easily on top. We even heard cries of Olé from the home fans following a spell of impudent ball retention from the much-changed Cardiff side.
Brenden Aaronson tried hard to spark the visitors into life but the men in blue stood firm. Tom Sang and Jack Simpkins were rocks at the back for Cardiff City. Further up the field, Philogene’s trickery posed a regular threat.
Leeds simply were not in it as we reached the hour point. Marsch made a series of changes to lift his side. Struijk glanced a header wide as the visitors began to threaten at last.
Rodrigo brought them back into the game with a firm header to make it 2-1.
The game was evenly balanced now as both sides probably felt able to clinch a result with 20 minutes to go. Sam Greenwood blasted over from close range for Leeds.
Hudson introduced some experience in the shape of Callum O’Dowda and Ryan Wintle as this close game entered the final stages.
In a dramatic twist, home defender Joel Bagan was sent off for a deliberate hand ball. Jak Alnwick pulled off a terrific save on just his second appearance for the club to keep Rodrigo’s penalty out, however.
The experienced Joe Ralls and Perry Ng joined the fray as the 10 men faced the final few minutes.
Cardiff were content to almost hit it anywhere as they battled to keep their Premier League guests out. The home fans in the crowd of 20,324 did their best to roar their men on.
With the home side out on their feet, Sonny Perkins flicked in a late equalizer for United. The visiting fans greeted the goal like a match-winner. It turned out to be just the final drama in an exciting 2-2 draw.
With both managers under pressure of late, this result may just keep them both in post a little longer. For now then, both Hudson and Marsch live to fight another day.
Cardiff join fellow Welsh sides Wrexham and Swansea City in the 4th round draw.
The winners of the Leeds/Cardiff replay will travel to Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley.
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Leeds United came to Cardiff for a cup tie as top team in the Premier League but, in a white hot atmosphere at the old Ninian Park, came unstuck against a Cardiff City team playing in the third tier at the time. Local hero Scott Young grabbed the winner that day.
Another exciting clash is anticipated this weekend. Leeds will be backed by around 6,000 fans at the Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff boss Mark Hudson faces a tough afternoon.
Both clubs have suffered injuries and we may some fresh faces given an outing.
Cardiff striker Kion Etete continues to recover from a slight hamstring strain and is unlikely to be seen against Leeds.
Callum Robinson is also ill and probably will not feature either. Illness has also cast a doubt over Gavin Whyte and Cédric Kipré.
But the Bluebirds have players who are desperate to play. What an opportunity to showcase themselves against a Premier League team.
Leeds United have four first-team players ruled out of the FA Cup clash as Jesse Marsch has shared his team news.
Patrick Bamford is only recently back in training while Adam Forshaw and Luis Sinisterra are expected to be in training next week.
Stuart Dallas has also undergone another operation to clean things up and he is not available for the game either.
There will be plenty to interest Prost’s American audience as Leeds United’s manager is American Jesse Marsch, who replaced Marcelo Bielsa as head coach in February 2022.
Marsch became just the third American to manage in the Premier League, after Bob Bradley and German-born David Wagner.
He began his managerial career in the USA with Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls, before making the move to Austria to take the hot seat at Red Bull Salzburg.
It was with Die Roten Bullen that Marsch caught the eye, winning the Austrian Bundesliga and the Austrian Cup on two occasions.
Salzburg’s talented side under Marsch included the likes of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, former Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino and Hungarian playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai, the latter following the American to his next role at German club RB Leipzig.
After mutually agreeing to leave Leipzig, Marsch joined Leeds United just two months later and guided them to Premier League safety at the end of last season.
Cardiff have been struggling to find the net since the World Cup and it will be a big ask to lower the colours of Leeds again. But with memories of 2002 filling the air, who knows what the magic of the cup could bring.
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The game kicked off at the slightly later than usual time of half past three to allow supporters to watch another big game taking place on Merseyside on the same afternoon.
It was a smart move from the club as the 1894 bar was packed to the rafters as fans got a double helping of football on a warm September afternoon.
Supporters soon began milling into the Marine Travel Arena and there was a large crowd in attendance as both sides looked to embark on a potentially lucrative cup run.
A close encounter between the sides was anticipated as just one point separated the pair in the league table and so it proved to be.
Djavan Pedro set his stall out early, looking to get in behind the Radcliffe defence and clattering Richard Smith to leave his mark.
It was Pedro who would have the first effort of the game as Marine started stronger. Luke Clark sent in a wonderful cross from the right only for the winger’s header to be easily saved by Thomas Stewart in the Radcliffe goal.
Stewart had started confidently, easily saving a shot from Joshua Wardle and claiming a cross from Jordan Lussey. The visitors defence will have had great confidence in their ‘keeper.
Former Liverpool youngster Jack Dunn is playing regularly at this level these days, and came the closest to opening the scoring when his brilliant free-kick sailed just over the crossbar.
Radcliffe were not quite in the realms of ‘hanging on’, but Marine were gently knocking on the door and they found the breakthrough in the 31st minute.
A free-kick was sent into the box and the ball was not dealt with by the Radcliffe defence, allowing Adams to pounce on the loose ball and knock in his first goal for Marine. It was a deserved lead for the home side.
Radcliffe improved at the beginning of the second half and finally tested Bayleigh Passant with Ben Rydel bringing out a flying save from the goalkeeper.
The game began to open up with both sides trading blows, Oliver Thornley heading over at one end while Dunn almost doubled the lead at the other.
Dunn was looking very lively and came close again in the 63rd minute, wriggling free in the box before shooting narrowly wide.
Marine began going to the corner with about ten minutes to go in order to run the clock down which was frustrating Radcliffe but substitute Hayden Campbell had other ideas.
Campbell showed wonderful vision to spread the play and find Clark in space on the right. Rather than standing and admiring his pass, the replacement charged into the box for a return ball and shifted onto his left foot to finish beyond Stewart.
There was a celebratory mood among the home fans now as they were eying up the next round.
Luca Navarro ensured a nervy ending however when he finished at the back post but Radcliffe failed to create anything else clear cut as the home defence stood strong.
Two seasons ago Marine made it to the third round proper of the cup where they hosted Premier League giants, Tottenham Hotspur. Those were, undoubtedly, unprecedented times and whilst they have a long way to go to match that, this was an important test passed after a difficult draw.
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