By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Phill Smith Photography/Oldham Athletic FC
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FA Cup Round 2: Leyton Orient vs Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic will travel to League One side Leyton Orient in the FA Cup second round, after ousting Tranmere Rovers this weekend.
It’s another familiar opponent from the National League club’s EFL days, and Micky Mellon’s side will be looking for another shock after coming from behind to dispatch Rovers 2-1 in the first round.
READ MORE: FA Cup 4QR: Mitchell stars as Rochdale progress
Connor Jennings had put Rovers ahead in the first ten minutes, but James Norwood’s low drive equalised before the break. Jesurun Uchegbulam sealed the win for Oldham Athletic with his second of the season just after the hour.
It’s a first appearance in the second round in four years for Athletic, who are three time semi-finalists in the competition.
Late defeat for Rochdale
The Latics are the north west’s sole remaining non-league representatives after Rochdale lost 4-3 at home to Bromley and Curzon Ashton were beaten 4-0 by League One high-flyers Mansfield Town.
Rochdale lost a topsy-turvy game to the newly-promoted EFL club, who were quick out of the blocks and 2-0 up within the first three minutes through Corey Milton Whitely and Michael Cheek.
Rochdale fears of a thrashing were allayed with no more goals before their fightback began with Sam Beckwith’s 24th minute effort – his first for the club. Trailing at half time, they levelled the game through Kyron Gordon – and the evergreen Ian Henderson gave Dale the lead for the first time on 79 minutes.
Bromley sub Levi Amantchi had other ideas however, and netted a quick brace either side of the 90 minute mark to send his side through to the second round for the first time in 79 years.
Curzon Ashton knocked out
Curzon fell behind to a Lucas Akins penalty on the quarter hour, two minutes before Marcus Poscha was given a red card for handball on the goal line. Stephen Quinn doubled the lead on 30 minutes.
Ben Waine and Ben Quinn added a goal apiece in the latter stages as The Stags moved on. 2,553 were in attendance to see Curzon exit the competition one stage short of their best ever performance – with the Tameside Stadium club twice making the second round, most recently in the 2016-17 season.
FA Cup prize money
Oldham Athletic have picked up £45,000 for a first round victory, while Rochdale and Curzon Ashton have been awarded £15,000 for making it this far. £75,000 is up for grabs should Athletic defeat Orient in the second round.
Other notable non-league ties in the next round see Gainsborough Trinity travel to Harrogate Town, Kettering Town host Doncaster Rovers and Harborough Town on the road at former Premier League side Reading. Ties will be played on the weekend of November 30.
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