Bring on the old tin pot

Ah yes, a reference to the FA Cup. All thrills, giant-killing, boring cliches, and penalty shoot-outs. Then one of the big clubs trots out at Wembley and wins an over-hyped dull final tie. Still love the FA Cup, you always want your team to still be in it.

The 3rd round is always one of the best, the semi-final and 4th qualifying come in after that. It's a full 14 round competition, possibly one of the longest in world football, all of ten months for some of us who start with little local sides in August. After my debacle of not getting to a 2nd round tie when the Stockport County v. Torquay United match was postponed twice due to a waterlogged pitch, I'm now fired up for the January action.

First off to see Bolton Wanderers v. Lincoln City. Bought the tickets, a mere £13, only hour before the Wanderers sacked their manager. Then Sunday it's the big one Manchester United v. Leeds United. The Yorkshire rivals might be two divisions lower but that doesn't bother the fans. This is serious business.

Coming up :
Saturday 2nd January
Bristol City v. Cardiff City 1230h - streaming www.TheFA.com, and Tv S4C
Reading v.Liverpool 1715h on ITV1
Highlights of games: 2230h on ITV1

Sunday 3rd January
Highlights of games (repeat): 0925h on ITV1
Manchester United v. Leeds United 1300h on ITV1
West Ham United v. Arsenal 1615h on ITV1
Tranmere Rovers v. Wolverhampton Wanderers 1815h streaming www.TheFA.com
Highlights of games 2315h on ITV1