Ferguson’s double helps Brighton cruise past spirited Grimsby in FA Cup

It was a romantic story, one to fire the dreams of a club and a town – just not the one that the neutrals had wanted. This FA Cup quarter-final was set up for Grimsby to make history, to become the first fourth-tier club to reach the last four of the competition.

Instead, it was Brighton that advanced – as was always going to be the case; 99 times out of 100, anyway – Roberto De Zerbi’s team penning the latest chapter of their fantastic season to ensure that the puns focused on seagulls feasting on fish.

Grimsby, 15th in League Two, had brought 5,000 fans and many more inflatable Harry Haddocks – their ubiquitous mascot. They had carried hope because their club had already achieved something unique in the cup, knocking out five teams from higher divisions in a single season, most recently Southampton.

This was a step too far, Brighton too strong as they advanced to only the third cup semi-final of their history. The strains of how the club were “going to Wem-ber-ley” filled the air as the 18-year-old striker, Evan Ferguson scored twice to supplement Deniz Undav’s early opener.

Brighton have done so much already this season, sitting seventh in the Premier League – on course for their best finish and points tally. They want European football for the first time and, also, a first major trophy. It is all about what they can do next. Could they go one better than they did in the 1983 FA Cup final when they lost to Manchester United after a replay?

"This is a big star in the making!"