The Dreams Start Here – FA Cup Round Three

By: Rob | November 30th, 2008

After last year gave the Cup a much needed kick up the behind by getting some of the magic back (We can thank the heroic runs of Havant and Waterlooville, Bristol Rovers, Barnsley, Pompey and Cardiff), the draw was made today for the third round of the FA Cup where dreams can be made. Where a bunch of part timers get their one shot at playing against the best players in the world, and can dare to dream of maybe causing an upset.

The draw features a fair few non league sides, most notably perhaps Histon, who knocked out Leeds United to make the draw. Forest Green Rovers are also in the third round for the first time in their history.

The full draw comes after the jump, with a few mentions of where the highlights are for those not in the know.

Portsmouth v Bristol City
Sheff Wed v Fulham
Preston v Liverpool
Birmingham v Wolverhampton
West Ham v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Hull v Newcastle
Hartlepool v Stoke
Chelsea v Southend
Man City v Nottm Forest
Cardiff v Reading
Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylsden
Charlton v Norwich
West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere
Torquay v Blackpool
Leyton Orient v Sheff Utd
Southampton v Man Utd
Millwall v Carlisle or Crewe
Histon v Swansea
Forest Green v Derby County
QPR v Burnley
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Wigan
Morecambe or Cheltenham v Doncaster
Arsenal v Plymouth
Notts County or Kettering v Eastwood Town
Bournemouth or Blyth Spartans v Blackburn
Macclesfield v Everton
Watford v Scunthorpe
Sunderland v Bolton
Coventry v Kidderminster
Gillingham or Stockport v Aston Villa

The first promising game is Birmingham City against Wolves, the two sides dominating the Championship at the moment and playing out a tight draw yesterday. Last years cup heroes Barnsley are drawn against Prem side West Ham, but rarely do such heroics repeat themselves (Ask Bristol Rovers or Havant, who are both already out). Barrow Town against Boro is probably the biggest game of the round, a real chance for the non-leaguers to be in the spotlight for a day. Southend United get to play against Superstars Chelsea which will be a great day for them, Histon weren’t happy with a draw which pits them against Swansea, but at home they have a chance of another upset. Similar news for Forest Green who have Derby. Spurs/Wigan and Hull/Newcastle and Sunderland/Bolton are the all-Prem ties, and Macclesfield will relish a home tie against Everton.

Good Luck Everyone, and see half of you in the Forth Round.