Colchester Await Replay Winners

Colchester Await?
By Chris O'Brien
January 12 2005

With respect, hardly the potential Cup tie many were hoping for with Chelsea, Arsenal and Swansea City still in the hat. However, on the off chance the Bluebirds can upset Blackburn Rovers next Wednesday, Colchester United will journey to Ninian Park in the fourth round of the F.A Cup.

Cardiff City will host Colchester United in the fourth round of the F.A Cup should the Bluebirds cause a shock in Lancashire and beat Blackburn Rovers in a third round replay at Ewood Park next Wednesday.

The League One outfit is hardly the draw City fans would have been hoping for. With the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and arch-rivals Swansea City still in the hat there was plenty of potential for a money-spinning tie, but Lennie Lawrence’s side know they have a great chance to reach round 5 if they can upset Mark Hughes’ struggling Premiership outfit.

City make the trip to Blackburn on January 19th and will start the game as underdogs. However, Cardiff were unlucky not to beat Blackburn when they came to Ninian Park last Saturday, with plenty of confidence and determination on show from the hosts. It will take a massive effort from City to beat Rovers next week, with Sparky’s side currently 16th in England’s top flight.

The tie of the round is at the St. Mary’s where south coast rivals Portsmouth and Southampton do battle. Non-league Exeter City or Manchester United, following their shock stalemate at Old Trafford, have been drawn at home to Middlesbrough whilst the Jacks will face either Leicester City or Blackpool if they stun Reading at the Vetch Field in a third round replay.

The complete draw is as follows:

Derby County v Watford/Fulham
Manchester United/Exeter v Middlesbrough
Cardiff/Blackburn v Colchester
Chelsea v Birmingham
West Ham v Sheffield United
Oldham v Bolton
Arsenal v Wolves
Everton v Sunderland
Nottingham Forest v Peterborough
Brentford v Hartlepool/Boston
Reading/Swansea v Leicester/Blackpool
Burnley/Liverpool v Bournemouth
Southampton v Portsmouth
West Brom v Tottenham
Newcastle v Coventry
Charlton v Yeovil