Late Newby Double Sinks Rochdale as York Snatch FA Cup Glory at Spotland
ROCHDALE—On a day when history and heartbreak converged at Spotland, York City’s Alex Newby returned to haunt his former club, striking twice—including a dramatic 89th-minute winner—to send the Minstermen through to the next round of the FA Cup and leave Rochdale ruing what might have been.
For Rochdale, unbeaten in three of their last five and seeking a cup reprieve to energize their National League campaign, this felt like familiar ground. Loyal fans, no strangers to the drama of knockout football, watched their side’s spirited fightback go unrewarded after Newby’s final flourish shattered the afternoon’s balance.
The match unfolded with tense urgency, each side recognizing the stakes. York arrived buoyed by a 2-1 win at Hartlepool a week prior—part of a recent uptick that saw them take seven points from their last five matches, despite inconsistency earlier in the fall. Rochdale, meanwhile, had momentum after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Forest Green but entered the contest knowing their form swung on a knife edge, with tough losses interspersed among convincing wins.
The day’s first half offered few clear chances, with both sides probing and parrying, determined not to cede early advantage. But it was after the interval that the narrative shifted decisively.
It took just over ten minutes of the second period for the script to take shape. York pressed high, exploiting space as Rochdale’s midfield pressed forward. The breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute, and it was the familiar No. 10 who delivered: Alex Newby, released by a clever one-two, broke through the heart of his old club’s defense and calmly slotted past the outstretched arm of Rochdale’s keeper. The celebration was muted, but the impact seismic.
Rochdale, stung but undeterred, summoned resolve in front of an expectant home crowd. The equalizer had a sense of inevitability. It was Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, the club’s prolific striker and perennial threat, who delivered in the 71st minute—pouncing on a loose ball after a corner, steering his effort past the keeper with practiced composure. His ninth goal of the campaign drew roars from the stands and promised extra time, if not a late winner for the hosts.
But as full-time approached, both teams traded half-chances—neither able to deliver the decisive blow. That is, until the 89th minute. A surging York counter, triggered by relentless midfield pressing, found Newby on the edge of the box. He shaped to shoot, waited for the challenge to pass, then rifled a low drive through a crowded penalty area. The net rippled, the away end erupted, and Newby’s second of the day sealed York’s passage. No red cards marred the contest, but the yellow cards tallied in the match’s feverish closing stages told the story of tension writ large.
For Rochdale, the sting of defeat is magnified by missed opportunities—a home tie, a winnable fixture, a chance to build on cup tradition lost at the last. Their recent run, which included a resounding 4-1 home triumph over Solihull Moors and a gritty 2-0 win at Carlisle, suggested a squad learning to balance defensive discipline and attacking verve. Yet the oscillations of form remain. The league remains their central concern: after this exit, attention turns back to the National League, where aspirations of promotion or at least playoff contention demand renewed focus.
York’s victory, meanwhile, extends a narrative of steady improvement after an uneven September. Their head-to-head record with Rochdale (recently limited given both clubs’ changing fortunes) gains a new chapter, one marked by late drama and individual quality. Managerial choices—particularly York’s commitment to pressing and quick transitions—proved decisive here. With Newby’s brace, the club not only advances in the Cup but also finds a talisman willing to step up when margins are fine.
Looking ahead, this result injects confidence into a York side seeking to climb the National League table. While cup runs can sometimes prove a distraction, for a team fighting to recapture consistency, Saturday’s thriller could be the spark that kindles a stronger league campaign.
For both clubs, the FA Cup remains a proving ground—a stage for ambition and heartbreak in equal measure. For Rochdale, the journey ends too soon. For York and Alex Newby, the road stretches on, paved now with the memory of a cold afternoon at Spotland and a match-winning brace that may come to define their autumn.