West Ham squeezes past non-league Stockport 1-0 in FA Cup

Posted January 11, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

West Ham's Craig Dawson, centre, scores his side's opening goal during the English FA Cup third round soccer match between Stockport County and West Ham United at Edgeley Park in Stockport, England, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Martin Rickett/PoolÂ via AP) The Associated Press

STOCKPORT, England (AP) - West Ham staved off potential embarrassment in the FA Cup by scoring an 83rd-minute goal to see off non-league Stockport 1-0 in the third round on Monday.

A game that was briefly paused in the 15th minute because of a fireworks display near Edgeley Park failed to light up as West Ham struggled to cope with a cut-up, boggy field and driving rain against an opponent from the fifth tier.

It was left for Craig Dawson to save the visitors as the game approached a period of extra time, the center back timing his late run into the penalty area to perfection following a quickly taken corner to meet an inswinging cross by Jarrod Bowen and head the ball into the bottom corner.

'œIt was tough," Dawson said. 'œIt's been a while since I've played in conditions like that but it's great to get a goal at the end.'ť

It earned West Ham a home match against third-tier Doncaster in the fourth round.

Stockport was looking to follow fellow non-league team Chorley, which eliminated second-tier Derby on Saturday, in humiliating a side from the leading divisions, and included John Rooney - the brother of Derby manager and former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney - in its lineup.

The northwest team matched West Ham for large parts of the game, and gave up few clear-cut chances.

'œWest Ham had lots of possession but the lads did really well," Stockport manager Jim Gannon said.

'œIt was always a stretch for us but the performance showed we are a cut above (non-league) level.'ť

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West Ham's Mark Noble, right, tries to block a shot from Stockport County's Liam Hogan during the English FA Cup third round soccer match between Stockport County and West Ham United at Edgeley Park in Stockport, England, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Martin Rickett/PoolÂ via AP) The Associated Press

West Ham's manager David Moyes, centre, reacts during the English FA Cup third round soccer match between Stockport County and West Ham United at Edgeley Park in Stockport, England, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Clive Brunskill/PoolÂ via AP) The Associated Press

West Ham's Said Banrahma, left, duels for the ball with Stockport County's Sam Minihan during the English FA Cup third round soccer match between Stockport County and West Ham United at Edgeley Park in Stockport, England, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Martin Rickett/PoolÂ via AP) The Associated Press

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