THREE-SY DOES IT FOR SCOUSER DAN
PETERBOROUGH United boss Grant McCann saluted hattrick hero Danny Lloyd’s contribution after he restored EFL pride against Non-League opposition in the FA Cup.
Tuesday night proved one to forget for EFL sides against lower-ranked opposition.
League One strugglers Bury crashed to an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat against National League side Woking, while League Two high-flyers
Accrington Stanley stumbled out on penalties after a 1-1 draw against another National League side, Guiseley.
Perhaps those exits proved a decent warning for Peterborough not to take Tranmere lightly in their replay on The Wirral the following night.
The National League side had already given a glimpse of what they could do in a 1-1 draw at the ABAX Stadium in the original tie, but they were ripped apart by ruthless Posh in the return.
Ironically, it was former NonLeague man Lloyd, plucked from Stockport County in the summer, who did most of the damage. The 25-year-old striker took advantage of sloppy defensive play from Rovers to score twice in the opening 22 minutes.
When the hosts had Jay Harris red-carded for a crunching tackle on Marcus Maddison three minutes later, the writing was on the wall.
Jack Baldwin headed home a third midway through the second half before Liverpoolborn Lloyd, cheered on by 30 family members and friends, completed his treble shortly after. Maddison put the icing on the cake with a 75th-minute penalty.
Created
“Danny’s a great lad,” said a delighted McCann. “He’s a tremendous lad to work with every day. He’s always got a smile on his face. He’s waited patiently for his chance and we are delighted with his performance.”
All in all, it couldn’t have been a better night for Posh.
“We were disappointing at home, but the boys were superb today,” added McCann. “We started on the front foot, created numerous chances and got the result we deserved.”
Peterborough now face NonLeague opposition for the second round in succession. They go to Woking on Sunday, December 3.
The Cards will fancy their chances after knocking out Bury in style. Regan Charles-Cook, Inih Effiong and sub Jamie Philpot netted in their 3-0 romp.
Fuming Shakers chairman Stewart Day said: “To get knocked out in the way we did is extremely disappointing for me.
“We lacked fight, passion and desire, attributes that I, as chairman, expect the players to give when wearing the shirt of Bury Football Club.
“Woking deserved to go through. Tthey played as a team and wanted to win much more than we did. Everyone on the ground applauded them off.”
Meanwhile, Accrington blew a golden opportunity to progress at home against Guiseley.
The Lions had Chris M’Boungou sent off for two bookings on the stroke of half-time and Stanley looked well set when Sean McConville headed home two minutes into the second half.
However, Guiseley levelled with a John Rooney penalty in the 79th minute and then kept their nerve to win 4-3 on spotkicks. Keeper Jonny Maxted proved the hero, saving penalties from Billy Kee and Scott Brown.
Philosophical Stanley boss John Coleman said: “I have to congratulate Guiseley. They went down to ten men, stuck to their game plan and worked ever so hard.
Stunning
“We didn’t create as many chances against ten men in the second half as we did against 11 in the first and they have been more clinical than us with the penalties.
“Sometimes, it just goes against you, it’s just not your night, and I can only be full of praise for Guiseley.”
Guiseley visit Mansfield in the second round on December 3.
In an all-League One clash, Hakeeb Adelakun’s stunning first-half strike earned Scunthorpe a 1-0 home win against Northampton. The Iron go to Doncaster in round two, also on December 3.