Kevin Horlock hoping Maldon and Tiptree’s FA Cup run can inspire promotion
“I’m hoping the lads have enjoyed the experience, because I want it to transcend into our league campaign and give us a real lift and I also want them to want more moments like this,” Kevin Horlock told BBC Essex after his side went down 5-1 at League One Port Vale, with the next goal to escape the Isthmian League North leaders after entering the first round as leaders.
“We want to come back here and do it again. It’s something that we can all aspire to.
“Hopefully it gives fire in the belly of the older lads in the group, but also the young lads to have that fire to want to get back to games like we have had today.”
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 17:43
Gary Caldwell lauds Exeter progress after FA Cup win at Halifax Town
“Off the back of Plymouth we’ve built some momentum, we’ve won games, we’ve changed the team in each of those games, so we couldn’t be happier with the team,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.
“I think winning builds confidence. I also think winning is very difficult at any level in any competition no matter who you’re playing,” he added.
“To win three games at any point of the season is good.
“Pretty much every player in the squad has featured in all of these games, so that will create competition next week when we return to league action against Wigan and hopefully we can make it four.”
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 17:20
FA Cup first round upsets underline competition’s magic
Evan Weir of Walsall FC celebrates scoring against Eastleigh (Getty Images)South Shields’ Luke Woolston (centre) celebrates (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)Matt Lowe, Danny Waldron and Connor Hall celebrate after Brackley Town upset Notts County (Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 17:10
Crawley Town goalkeeper admits team ‘let the fans down’ in FA Cup shock defeat to Boreham Wood
“They’re obviously a good side, but I don’t think we applied the things we worked on during the week,” Crawley Town goalkeeper Joe Wollacott said.
“For the first 10 minutes of the game, we just weren’t good enough, including myself. So we’ve all got to show some accountability and move on from it.
“I still think we have to show character. Whether you’re playing with 11, 10 or nine men it doesn’t matter, we just weren’t on it today,” he said.
“We shot ourselves in the foot in the first half. It’s a difficult mountain to climb in the second half, but we just have to be better from the start. Now the most important thing is to concentrate on the league.”
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 17:00
FA Cup 2025 top scorers
3 – R. Linney, Carlisle United FC
3 – M. Mellon, Oldham Athletic AFC
3 – D. Elliott, Macclesfield FC
2 – Fábio Tavares, Burton Albion FC
2 – D. Cole, Port Vale FC
2 – N. Wells, Luton Town FC
2 – K. Kouassi, Cambridge United FC
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 16:50
Fabio Borini on Brendan Rodgers, Mario Balotelli and why he joined Salford City
Surprises are a dying phenomenon in top-level football. Gone are the days of mystery, the digital age has coincided with the exhaustive reporting of every little detail, from initial scout missions to final medical checks. So when League Two’s Salford City, out of nowhere, announced the signing of ex-Premier League folk hero Fabio Borini on a quiet October evening, we took notice.
It was a dopamine hit for niche-loving football nerds, marking the return of a proper “streets won’t forget” player – not your Hatem Ben Arfas and Michus, who everyone and their dog remembers.
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 16:40
How can I watch the FA Cup draw?
You can watch the FA Cup second round proper draw live on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+, along with free live streams on their social media and YouTube channels.
(The FA via Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 16:30
FA Cup draw ball numbers
16. Tamworth or Leyton Orient (Monday night)
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 16:18
When is the FA Cup draw? Start time, second-round ball numbers and how to watch on TV
The draw for the second round of the FA Cup takes place tonight.
There was a string of first-round shocks on Saturday, with three non-league sides springing surprises to advance.
Carlisle, managed by Mark Hughes, shocked League One Reading, Gateshead stunned League One high fliers AFC Wimbledon and Boreham Wood beat League Two strugglers Crawley.
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 16:00
Non-league trio spring FA Cup first round shocks
Substitute Regan Linney hit a sensational hat-trick as National League side Carlisle, managed by Mark Hughes, stunned League One Reading with a remarkable 3-2 extra-time win in the FA Cup first round.
Linney struck twice in second-half added time to force an additional period after Lewis Wing and Mark O’Mahony put the hosts in control before completing his treble – and the comeback – in the 94th minute.
Fellow fifth-tier club Gateshead upset League One high fliers AFC Wimbledon with a 2-0 away victory.
Jack Rathborn3 November 2025 15:59
