Five Underdogs To Watch In FA Cup Third Round

The FA Cup is one of the oldest club competitions in the world and while some believe it doesn’t have the same spark that it used to, the magic of the cup is still alive and well in the eyes of many.

This weekend marks one of the best traditions on the English football calendar – FA Cup third round weekend. It’s the time where minnows believe they can genuinely make a name for themselves and these five clubs, in particular, will be doing everything in their power to cause a shock.

Number = tier the club plays in

Boreham Wood (5) vs Wimbledon (3)

Boreham Wood are firmly in the hunt for promotion to the Football League but aside from their Conference Premier quest, they’ll be heading into a tussle with 3rd tier Wimbledon on Saturday.

Wimbledon have gone from being underdogs themselves to being expected to win fixtures like this, which should make for a really interesting contrast.

Kidderminster Harriers (6) vs Reading (2)

Kidderminster Harriers have had to endure a lot of dark days over the course of the last decade or so but this weekend, they’ll meet a side that were formerly known as Premier League regulars for a while.

Worcester City managed to make some noise on the same ground where this game will be held just a few years ago and Kiddy will feel the weight of that when kick-off commences here.

Yeovil Town (5) vs Bournemouth (2)

Yeovil Town fans will still remember the days when they were plying their trade in the Championship – probably because it didn’t actually happen all too long ago whatsoever.

Bournemouth, though, have a promotion push to focus on, which could actually be what leaves them vulnerable to a shock here. It’s not unheard of, and Yeovil will try and use a win to vault themselves out of mid-table mediocrity in the Conference.

Chesterfield (5) vs Chelsea (1)

Chesterfield reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup as recently as 1997 when a Sean Dyche penalty almost helped them to victory over Middlesbrough – yes, that’s a thing that actually happened.

These days they’re leading the way in the 5th tier in their push to get back into the big time of the Football League and their opponents in the third round, at Stamford Bridge no less, will be Chelsea.

Port Vale (4) vs Brentford (1)

Port Vale are teasing a push for the play-offs right now but their biggest game of the season, by a country mile, is going to be their meeting with Brentford this weekend.

The Bees have a lot on their mind in the Premier League and may think they could go after a Wembley run themselves, but Port Vale will have the word “upset” on their mind – and rightly so.