TODAY should be FA Cup 3rd
Round day with all the minnows that have survived umpteen rounds of
cup qualification since August, joining a full mix of Premier and
League teams. Unfortunately the FA has strung out all the games from
Friday (yesterday), through to Tuesday, no doubt allowing the TV
sponsors the opportunity of screening as many matches as possible.
This is not apparent on the TV listings.
The first tie has already been played,
with Cardiff, at home, beating Colchester comfortably in front of
just over 4000 crowd. On Tuesday, as well as Everton v West Ham,
Scunthorpe are at home to Chesterfield, who have had to replay their
Second Round tie against MK Dons yesterday because the Twisted Spire
men played an ineligible player in the first bout. Why weren't they
thown out?
Most games are being played today and
tomorrow, but there are not a lot of televised matches, although
there are a number of exciting ties to whet our appetites, including
Gateshead away at West Brom with 85 places between them in the
league; the Baggies with a fresh man at the helm may be vulnerable.
Blyth Spartans host Birmingham City
(141 places apart), however, perhaps the non league club wishes that
the game had been played a few weeks ago before the Brummie revival
under their new manager. Derby are at home to Southport (89 gap) and
Tranmere have Swansea visiting (81 gap). Leicester v Newcastle may
raise a a tingle but the rest of Saturday's ties are unlikely to make
the heart race.
On Sunday most of the premier clubs
turn out, with Dover and AFC Wimbledon holding the home diamond ties
against Crystal Palace (87 gap) and Liverpool (71 gap). Yeovil at home
to Manchester United (65 gap) and Wrexham away at Stoke (95 gap)
provide an odd chance of a set back.
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