Poppies dream of United tie

KETTERING player–manager Lee Harper vowed that he and his team–mates would give it their “best shot” after they were offered a potential FA Cup third–round tie with Manchester United.

Blue Square Premier side Kettering must knock out Coca–Cola League One leaders Leeds first, after the two teams drew 1–1 at Rockingham Road.

“It will be really hard but we will give it our best shot,” said Harper.

“The club is in a bit of trouble at the moment, it is difficult for us financially but we will go to Elland Road, try to have a great time and see where it gets us.”

The lure of facing the reigning Barclays Premier League champions at Old Trafford is an upturn in fortune for the Poppies, who face being turfed out of their home in the next three years.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Harper has never played at Old Trafford, although he has been there as an unused substitute.

Mark Hughes’ Manchester City have been drawn away to Coca-Cola Championship outfit Middlesbrough, Premier League leaders Chelsea are at home to Watford and Liverpool visit Reading.

Arsenal face a London derby at West Ham United.

Draw for the third round of the FA Cup:

Tottenham v Peterborough; Brentford v Doncaster; Middlesbrough v Manchester City; Stoke v York; Notts County v Forest Green Rovers; Huddersfield v West Brom; Sheffield United v Queens Park Rangers; MK Dons v Burnley; Chelsea v Watford; Nottingham Forest v Birmingham; Preston v Colchester; West Ham v Arsenal; Aston Villa v Blackburn; Portsmouth v Coventry; Sunderland v Oxford or Barrow; Wigan v Hull; Everton v Carlisle; Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace; Tranmere or Aldershot v Wolves; Blackpool v Ipswich; Fulham v Swindon; Stockport or Torquay v Brighton; Scunthorpe v Barnsley; Southampton v Rotherham or Luton; Bristol City v Cardiff; Reading v Liverpool; Staines or Millwall v Derby; Plymouth v Newcastle; Leicester v Swansea; Bolton v Lincoln City; Accrington or Barnet v Gillingham; Manchester United v Kettering or Leeds.

Ties to be played on weekend of January 2 and 3.