The FA Youth Cup

Railwaymen rally to knock Gunners out of FA Youth Cup

Tuesday 24 Feb 2015
Crewe celebrate one of their goals against the Gunners.

Crewe Alexandra caused a major upset in The FA Youth Cup Fifth Round by beating Premier League side Arsenal at Barnet's Hive home.

The Railwaymen's first-team is languishing in 19th place in the third tier of English football, but they got one over the Champions League contenders by holding off a spirited late comeback by the Gunners.

Arsenal 2-3 Crewe Alexandra

The FA Youth Cup
Fifth Round Proper
7pm, Monday 23 February 2015
The Hive, Barnet
By Wally Downes Jnr

After seeing the game postponed twice recently in the last few weeks, the visitors started brightly and took the lead after just seven minutes when Liam O'Neill produced a cool finish, after good build-up play from George Cooper.

But the goal appeared to galvanise Arsenal, who appeared to be enthused after going behind and dominated possession, only to be kept at bay by Crewe.

The 330 fans in attendance then saw Crewe double their surprise lead as Andre Brown whipped in a precision cross that Arsenal keeper Ryan Huddart pushed into his team-mate Stefan O'Connor and back into the home side's net.

The north Londoners pulled a goal back after 65 minutes through striker Stephy Mavididi, after exciting talent Gedion Zelalem took aim only to see his shot saved before it landed in Mavididi's path to be poked home.

Crewe Alexandra were 3-2 winners against Arsenal at the Hive.

Crewe will now face Manchester City in the Sixth Round Proper

Crewe, however, only needed two minutes to re-establish their two-goal lead after striker Brown converted a sweet O'Neill cross.

Arsenal bounced back again with seven minutes remaining, when defender Marc Bola drove the ball home from 16 yards.

But Crewe held on for the remainder of the game, including the four added minutes, and earned their place in the quarter final against Premier League giants Manchester City.

By FA Staff