FA Cup ready to burst into life
Ana | Dec 28, 2009 | Comments 0
Early January will not come near the top of the list in any ‘best time of the year polls’.
The post-Christmas Blues kick in as the decorations are put away and everyone trudges back to work, wrapped up against the cold, wind and rain.
But hidden amongst the winter gloom is one of the best and most famous days of the footballing year – FA Cup Third Round day.
For fans, it is another chance to dream of greater things to come, of a day out in the sun at Wembley, of the captain lifting the famous old trophy aloft.
Last year it was Chelsea and Everton who held those dreams. The Londoners nearly crashed out against Southend in the Third Round last year but recovered in the replay to go all the way to Wembley, taking out London rivals Arsenal on the way. Everton meanwhile faced Mersey rivals Liverpool in the 4th round, eventually coming out on top thanks to a last minute extra time replay winner from youngster Dan Gosling. The likes of Aston Villa and Manchester United were dispatched en-route to their first Cup final for 14 years.
In the end, despite the quickest goal in Cup Final History from Louis Saha, Chelsea came out on top thanks to Didier Drogba and a moment of magic from Frank Lampard, on a baking hot day in London.
The Wembley sun seems a long way away as the winter rain tumbles down but the two finalists for 2010 will take their first steps next weekend. But who will make it through?
Holders Chelsea will begin their defence away at Watford – the team they knocked out en-route to Wembley last year. Everton also face lower league opposition in the shape of Carlisle United, wary of two years ago when Oldham came to Goodison and dumped the Toffees out of the competition.
Elsewhere it’s Lancashire v Yorkshire at Old Trafford where Leeds United cross the Pennines to face United. Aston Villa v Blackburn and West Ham v Arsenal are two all Premier League ties while Man City and Liverpool face tricky trips to Middlesbrough and Reading respectively.
Whoever falls and progresses amongst the 64 teams involved, expect cup shocks, unlikely heroes and fallen giants. The Christmas turkey may have been eaten, the last cracker may have been pulled, but FA Cup Third Round day is one last Christmas present to help you get through January!
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