Diamonds and Comrades cheer

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 18, 2026

AFC Rushden & Diamonds made history by defeating National League North side Morecambe 2-1 to reach the FA Cup first round for the first time. This milestone highlights the growing competitiveness of lower-tier clubs in the tournament, as other teams like Berkhamsted and Marine also upset higher-ranked opponents.

Step 4 club AFC Rushden & Diamonds secured a historic first-round berth in the FA Cup after defeating National League North side Morecambe 2-1 on Sunday. Elliot Sandy’s decisive contributions helped the Diamonds advance to the next stage, marking a significant milestone for the club.

Meanwhile, Berkhamsted replicated that achievement by overcoming Southend United with a late 88th-minute goal at Roots Hall, ensuring their own place in the first-round draw scheduled for Monday. In other notable upsets, Marine, a National League team, shocked Hartlepool United, illustrating the unpredictability of the competition.

From the lower tiers, Step 5 side Tadley Calleva managed a strong comeback on Tuesday to force a replay against Aldershot Town, following a match where they twice came from behind. Leatherhead and Yeovil also drew 3-3 in a high-scoring contest, setting up the possibility for further cup drama in their upcoming fixtures.

Additional matches saw FC United of Manchester and Gloucester City secure goalless draws against Altrincham and Barrow respectively, extending their runs with replays to be scheduled.

These results highlight the ongoing competitiveness and surprise outcomes that define the early rounds of the FA Cup, offering lower-league clubs the chance to challenge higher-tier opponents and make a mark in the historic tournament.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.