Farnborough fall to five-star Arsenal

FA Cup holders Arsenal FC comfortably secured their place in the fifth round of the competition with a 5-1 win against non-league Farnborough Town FC.

Total control
The game was originally to take place at Farnborough’s Cherrywood Road stadium, but the non-league side elected to switch the tie to Highbury after safety concerns were raised. Arsenal took full advantage of the change of venue and were in control of the game from the first whistle.

Early lead
England international Sol Campbell gave Arsenal the lead, heading into the net after 19 minutes, before Francis Jeffers doubled the lead four minutes later. The game was effectively over as a contest in the 28th minute, as Farnborough’s Christian Lee was shown the red card after a professional foul on Jeffers.

Consolation goal
It was 3-0 in the 68th minute as Jeffers added his second goal of the game, before Rocky Baptiste scrambled home a consolation goal for the conference side. However, further goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Lauren sealed a resounding win for the Premiership leaders.

Leeds held
Leeds United AFC were held to a 1-1 draw at first division Gillingham FC, although the Premiership side led 1-0 with ten minutes remaining thanks to a superb free-kick from Alan Smith. However, the away side then lost Mark Viduka to a red card, and Gillingham capitalised on the man advantage, equalising through Mamady Sidibe eight minutes from time.

Southampton leave it late
Southampton FC were also held, and needed a last-gasp goal from Kevin Davies to salvage a 1-1 draw with Millwall FC. The first division side had taken the lead midway through the first half through Steve Claridge.

Helguson a hero
West Bromwich Albion FC were also embarrassed by lower division opponents, slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Watford FC. West Brom’s goalkeeper Russell Hoult saved Neil Cox’s penalty early in the second half, only for Heidar Helguson to score the only goal of the game ten minutes from time.
  
Late drama
Blackburn Rovers FC drew 3-3 with Sunderland AFC in today’s all-Premiership tie, but needed a late equaliser from Dwight Yorke. Sunderland took the lead in the second minute through Marcus Stewart, but Andy Cole equalised for the home side 12 minutes late. Second-half strikes from Michael Proctor and Kevin Phillips seemed to have put the away side in control, but Cole pulled a goal back before Yorke’s late intervention secured a replay.