F.A Cup Third Round Draw - Blackburn @ Home

City v. Blackburn Rv
By Chris O'Brien
December 9 2004

I was reading an article on how Blackburn would swoop for Gabbidon in January when I learnt news of the Third Round draw. It was quite spooky! Ball number 8, Cardiff City, will host the Lancastrian outfit at Ninian Park.

The media has once again been reporting that Daniel Gabbidon will join his former international boss Mark Hughes at Ewood Park in the New Year, when the transfer window opens. It is ironic that should these rumours be true, the centre-half's last City game could be against Blackburn as the Lancastrian side visit Ninian Park in the third round of the F.A Cup.

Blackburn are the second Premiership outfit to visit Ninian Park this season. Portsmouth shattered City's dreams of progressing to the League Cup quarter-finals with as Yakubu inspired the south coast outfit to a 2-0 victory. Pompey were the first Premiership side here in cup action since that memorable victory over Leeds United nearly 3 years ago.

Sparky has not achieved what many Blackburn fans would have hoped since his move into club management. Despite possesses a talented squad, Rovers currently hover above the Premier League relegation zone and many pundits predict a scrap against relegation on the cards. With plenty of passion and belief, the Bluebirds are capable of a cup shock.

City were knocked out at the third round stage last term, with Sheffield United leaving Ninian Park with a 1-0 victory as the Bluebirds fell at their first hurdle. This season's tie takes place on either the 8th or 9th of January, with a crowd of about 15,000 expected on the South Wales terraces.

The third round draw has been kind to several minnow clubs. Conference mid-table outfit Exeter City have a dream trip to Old Trafford as they look to knock out holders Manchester United, whilst Yeading of the Ryman League structure host Newcastle United with a capacity of 2,300 at The Warren.

The complete draw is as follows:

Arsenal v Stoke
Swindon/Notts Co v Middlesbrough
Manchester United v Exeter
Plymouth v Everton
Leicester v Blackpool
Derby v Wigan
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
Wolves v Millwall
Yeading v Newcastle United
Hull v Colchester
Tottenham v Brighton
Reading v Stockport/Swansea
Birmingham v Leeds
Hartlepool v Boston
Milton Keynes Dons v Peterborough
Oldham v Man City
Chelsea v Scunthorpe
Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers
Charlton v Rochdale
West Ham v Norwich
Sheff Utd v Aston Villa
Preston v West Brom
Rotherham v Yeovil
Burnley v Liverpool
Bournemouth v Chester
Coventry v Crewe
Watford v Fulham
Ipswich v Bolton
Portsmouth v Gillingham
Northampton v Southampton
QPR v Nottm Forest
Luton v Hinckley/Brentford