Nigeria’s Josh Maja fires Stoke into FA Cup 5th round
Nigeria’s Josh Maja fired Stoke into the 5th round of the FA Cup on Saturday.Maja and teammate Jacob Brown netted a goal each as Stoke disarmed Wigan ending their 20-match unbeaten run. Interestingly it was a debut match for Maja who quickly established himself as a player to watch
The home side’s early dominance was rewarded when debutant Maja signed on loan from Bordeaux in midweek – secured a dream start to his Stoke career.
After a slip from Latics’ defender Jason Kerr, the Nigeria international had all the time in the world to compose himself and convert past Jones into the far corner.
After half-time, Tyrese Campbell saw an innovative guided effort go close as the home side looked to double their advantage.
The travelling 4,025 thought they had an elusive leveller shortly after the hour mark but Tom Bayliss’ powerful free-kick from an acute angle clipped the crossbar.
Yet it was the Potters who struck next with Brown – only on the field for less than two minutes – finishing accurately into the far corner to land the Latics a knockout blow.
Wigan’s 20-match unbeaten run then appeared destined to end as Edwards was shown a second yellow card after a late lunging challenge on goalscorer Brown, allowing Stoke to progress to the fifth round with relative ease.
Peterborough made it to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1986 with a 2-0 win over high-flying Championship opponents QPR at a breezy Weston Homes Stadium.
Joe Ward of Peterborough United celebrates with team-mates after scoring their team’s first goal
Goals from Joe Ward and substitute Ricky-Jady Jones sealed their passage into the last 16 in front of a raucous home crowd.
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Ward opened the scoring in the 25th minute with what was effectively Posh’s first chance of the game when he calmly slotted home after Jeando Fuchs’ shot was blocked into his path.
Jones made it two after 72 minutes, latching on to a pass down the right-hand side before rifling past goalkeeper David Marshall.