Adeeko's Extra-Time Free-Kick Sends Rochdale Through

Substitute Baba Adeeko scored a free-kick in the second half of extra time to give Rochdale a 2-1 win over Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup on 7 November. The win takes Rochdale into the second round.

The FA Cup is England's oldest knockout competition. Clubs from right across the professional and non-league game take part, and a single defeat ends a club's run. If a tie is level after 90 minutes, it goes to 30 minutes of extra time. If it is still level after that, the teams settle it on penalties.

This one needed all of that time. Adeeko came on from the bench and made the difference late in the extra period, with a free-kick that settled the tie. The match was played at Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood's home ground, and Fleetwood Town's match report carries the headline "Town exit FA Cup after extra-time defeat to Rochdale."

Adeeko is new to the club. Rochdale announced his arrival on 14 August 2026, and he signed on a one-year deal. Rochdale's own report on the tie is headlined "Dale Seal Extra Time Victory."

For Fleetwood, the result ends their cup run at the first round. Their manager's post-match comments focused on the positives the club can take from the game, according to the club's website.

For Rochdale, the win means another game in the competition. It also means a squad that has to prepare again quickly, with the second-round draw still to come. Cup football rewards the side that keeps going, and on this night that was Rochdale.