Weston-super-Mare's historic FA Cup run came to an end on Tuesday night as they lost 3-2 to Grimsby Town in the third round. The part-time National League South side, comprising a painter and decorator, teaching assistant, and university lecturer among others, twice came from behind but were ultimately undone by a late header from Grimsby substitute Kieran Green.
The Seagull Army, 571 strong, witnessed second-half equalisers from Luke Coulson and Louis Britton, the latter's sixth FA Cup goal of the season. However, with four minutes remaining, Green's looping header from a corner sealed the victory for the League Two hosts.
Manager Scott Rogers expressed his pride despite the heartbreak: 'I'm absolutely gutted for them to be fair because at 2-2, we're thinking: come on. The spirit we showed to come back twice – that's what we're all about. We've got a long trip home – five and a half hours – but they should be proud of themselves even though we're sick as pigs.'
For Grimsby, who previously knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup, the win sets up a place in the fourth round. Manager Dave Artell praised Weston's efforts: 'They deserve a huge amount of credit for how they played, as do their fans who never shut up all game. But we still found a way to win and that's what knockout football is all about.'
Weston's run generated approximately £150,000 for the club, which trains twice a week and operates on a mid-table budget in the sixth tier. The defeat marked the end of a fairytale journey for the Somerset side, who had never reached the FA Cup third round in their 139-year history.
