The FA Cup third round has never lost its magic. Every season, the draw for this stage of the competition creates excitement and anticipation, bringing together 20 Premier League teams and 24 Championship teams.
This year, it’s exactly the FA Cup weekend we wanted: cross-division local derbies, blockbuster games and our favorite – the classic David vs. Goliath showdown.
Both non-league teams still performed well and both faced strong opponents. Dagenham and Redbridge take on second-tier side Millwall at The Den, with the two stadiums less than 15 miles apart and the action promises to be lively.
Elsewhere, National League club Tamworth welcomed Tottenham to the Lambs in a fine game. A minnow will test himself against some of the best talent in the world – the biggest in the Staffordshire side’s 91-year history and potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans and players alike .
Of course, if they were lured to north London to meet Tottenham Hotspur they would be laughing all the way to the bank, but instead we saw how Tottenham’s stars performed in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 5,000 on an artificial pitch, Hope can roar that their side carried out a famous massacre of giants.
The reason the FA Cup still retains its magic is that no matter how big the gap between the clubs, a shock can happen on any given day.
That’s what Salford boss Carl Robinson is stressing as his side take on Manchester City – a local derby made all the more attractive by Salford’s Class of 92 connections. It’s the first time two League One teams have reached the third round and they will be looking to capitalize on City’s recent troubles to cause an earthquake.
The draw also sparked several Premier League fixtures, notably defending champions Manchester United’s heavyweight tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. It may lack the romance of some other cross-division showdowns, but it does mean the tournament will be without one of its current favorites. With two of the most successful teams in FA Cup history going head-to-head so early, it could help a less popular team go further.
Other interesting pairings include League Two strugglers Morecambe and Accrington Stanley heading to Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, while there’s a Yorkshire derby between Leeds and Harrogate, and League One Stokebo Especially against Crystal Palace in the top flight and possibly the final FA Cup game. Everton host Peterborough at Goodison Park and we could see Ashley Young take on 18-year-old son Tyler.
Unlike previous tournaments, there will be no replays at this stage, so all games will be decided on the same day. There is an understandable argument that with concerns over player welfare and an overloaded schedule growing, scrapping them would only benefit teams further up the pyramid.
Still, many other beloved traditions remain. The trophies will still be cut out of the tinfoil and people will be watching from the rooftops, with grown men crying in the crowd.
The FA Cup is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable competitions for fans. Some of my fondest memories as a Brighton fan come from this game, thanks to Albion’s recent success of reaching two semi-finals in four years. Of course, the Seagulls lost narrowly to Manchester City and Manchester United, but those days at Wembley with my family will stay with me forever.
Only one underdog has won since Wigan’s late win in 2013. Leicester City won their first FA Cup in 2021 after losing four previous finals, but the fact that these magical moments rarely happen makes them all the more special.
The FA Cup’s enduring stardust is because the sport’s oldest competition can be difficult to win, but anything is possible. Just ask Leicester, Wigan or Portsmouth. It makes fans believe this could be their year.
At this stage, it sounds simple. It only takes four wins to reach the Wembley semi-finals, five wins to reach the final and six wins to win the trophy and make history. This is what every club hopes for when reaching the third round, to continue the journey and continue the dream.
