Leicester City avoided an Emirates FA Cup first round upset as they battled past Oxford City 4-2 in a thriller at Marsh Lane.
The 2021 winners took the lead thanks to Louis Page’s thunderbolt but went into the break all square after Scott Pollock sensationally scored directly from a corner.
The introduction of Harry Howell in the second half proved an inspired move by Russell Martin as the 18-year-old teed up Emil Riis, before being involved in the build-up to Kamari Doyle’s well-placed finish.
Oxford City ensured a nervy final 30 minutes when Josh Ashby looped the ball over Franco Ravizzoli, but substitute Tom Watson put the tie to bed.
The League One side, appearing in this stage of the competition for the first time since 2008, started the brighter of the two sides and enjoyed 80% of possession during the opening 15 minutes.
Neither side was able to muster a shot on goal during that time, but Page changed all that a minute later with a moment of FA Cup magic for the visitors.
What a way to score your first senior goal😮💨 Louis Page opens the scoring for Leicester with an incredible strike! 📺 Stream on TNT Sports & HBO Max: https://t.co/fRCRh6tXYB https://t.co/3bwYBWcXhO
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2026
After being found by Bobby De Cordova-Reid following a smart one-two with Sammy Braybrooke, the 18-year-old lashed the ball home, helped by a deflection, for his first senior goal from just under 30 yards out.
The National League North outfit weren’t to be deterred and nearly responded in kind on 20 minutes.
Ludwig Francillette met Dejan Tetek’s cross, but his header was straight at Ravizzoli in the Leicester goal.
But the Hoops found parity in the 31st minute thanks to former Leicester trialist Pollock.
After Ellis Brown’s blocked shot forced a corner, the 25-year-old whipped an in-swinging ball into the box with his left foot, and much to the delight of the capacity crowd, saw it fizz into the net.
Incredible scenes as Scott Pollock finds the net directly from a corner and Oxford draw level! ⚽ 📺 Stream on TNT Sports & HBO Max: https://t.co/fRCRh6tXYB https://t.co/VewRdoDHwF
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2026
It was just rewards for the perseverance shown by Ross Jenkins’ men, with Oxford ending the half level on the scoresheet and having outshot Leicester five to four.
Francillette’s long-range drive failed to find the target three minutes after the break, but it was a signal of intent from the home side.
However, Leicester re-established their lead in the 53rd minute when Howell, brought on in place of Caleb Okoli, beautifully stood up his cross after creating space for himself.
It was met by a powerful Riis header, leaving Jon Maxted unable to keep the ball from crossing the goal line.
Emil Riis Jakobsen with a powerful header to put Leicester back in front! ⚽ 📺 Stream on TNT Sports & HBO Max: https://t.co/fRCRh6tXYB https://t.co/M1AlvnyK8q
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2026
Howell was enjoying his time on the pitch and combined well with Page before Doyle added the finishing touches to the move by guiding the ball around Francillette with the outside of his boot.
Oxford refused to roll over, though, and got themselves back within one goal just three minutes later as Ashby exquisitely lobbed Ravizzoli after he latched onto John Lundstram’s loose ball.
Maxted was on hand to keep out curling efforts from Doyle and the electric Howell as Leicester pressed for a fourth, but substitute Watson wrapped up the pulsating tie with a composed finish with eight minutes to go.
Watson nearly grabbed a second late on, but Maxted did well to deny the 20-year-old, and Olabade Aluko nearly made it 4-3 late on, but his header rattled the crossbar.
Emil Riis Jakobsen with a powerful header to put Leicester back in front! ⚽ 📺 Stream on TNT Sports & HBO Max: https://t.co/fRCRh6tXYB https://t.co/M1AlvnyK8q
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 6, 2026
Meanwhile, at the Memorial Stadium, Bristol Rovers prevailed 2-0 against Cambridge United.
The first half proved to be a scrappy affair under the lights in the West Country as neither side could break the deadlock before the break.
Sullay Kaikai came close for Cambridge as half-time loomed, but his free-kick hit the crossbar before the ball was cleared by Bristol Rovers’ defence.
The first team into the Second Round Proper 🎩 https://t.co/PqXQg9pe4Q
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) November 6, 2026
But the game burst into life during the second 45 minutes as 20-year-old Tottenham loanee Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny put Rovers ahead in the 57th minute with a low shot into the bottom corner.
Fabrizio Cavegn doubled the home side’s advantage 15 minutes later from range and Kaikai then hit the bar again, this time from a penalty, as Cambridge failed to find a way back into the tie.
