Barrow’s chance for Cup glory

BARROW will face top–flight opposition for the first time in 42 years when they take on Middlesbrough in the most clear–cut David–versus–Goliath clash thrown up by yesterday’s FA Cup third–round draw.

The Cumbrian side, voted out of the Football League in 1972, have the chance to cause a stir at Barclays Premier League Boro after putting out Brentford in the second round.

The Blue Square Premier side were joined in the hat for the third–round draw by Blyth Spartans, who will host Blackburn if they can beat Bournemouth in a replay.


DRAW:

Portsmouth v Bristol City

Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham

Preston v Liverpool

Birmingham v Wolves

West Ham v Barnsley

Middlesbrough v Barrow

Hull v Newcastle

Hartlepool v Stoke

Chelsea v Southend

Manchester City v Nottingham Forest

Cardiff v Reading

Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylsden

Charlton v Norwich

West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere

Torquay v Blackpool

Leyton Orient v Sheffield United

Southampton v Manchester United

Millwall v Carlisle or Crewe

Histon v Swansea

Forest Green v Derby

QPR v Burnley

Leicester v Crystal Palace

Tottenham v Wigan

Morecambe or Cheltenham v Doncaster

Arsenal v Plymouth

Notts County or Kettering v Eastwood

AFC Bournemouth or Blyth Spartans v Blackburn

Macclesfield v Everton

Watford v Scunthorpe

Sunderland v Bolton

Coventry v Kidderminster

Gillingham or Stockport v Aston Villa


Ties to be played on the weekend of January 3 and 4.