Eight minor league sides strive to survive

The third round of the 2008-09 FA Cup sees eight clubs representing non-League football. This is some achievement for these clubs, one that indicates that the gap between the Football League and the divisions below, particularly the Conference Premier, is narrowing.

The presence of eight 'non-Leaguers' in the third round of the FA Cup beats a record that has stood since 1977-78 when six non-League clubs reached this stage of the competition.

The eight minor league clubs and their respective opponents this weekend are as follows:

• Barrow (Conference Premier) − away to Premier League side Middlesbrough. The Bluebirds of Holker Street were promoted to the top echelon of non-League football last season. Barrow, who have retained their part-time status, knocked out Brentford in the previous round.

• Forest Green Rovers (Conference Premier) − home to Championship side Derby County. The Rovers of the New Lawn, Nailsworth, will have a full house for this tie. They have never been in the third round before. Their previous best performance in the FA Cup was in 2000 and 2008 when they reached the second round.

Last season's final placing of eighth in the Conference was the best in the club's history. The Rovers upset Rochdale in round two.

• Histon (Conference Premier) − will surely be remembered this season for their FA Cup giant-killing act over once-mighty Leeds, beating them 1-0 at their own Bridge Road in Kimpington.

The Stutes finished seventh in the Conference last season, their highest ever placing in the English Football League structure. They will have home advantage against Swansea.

• Kettering Town (Conference Premier) − home to fellow non-Leaguers Eastwood. The Poppies of Rockingham Road, who eliminated Notts County and Lincoln City in the first two rounds, have reached the first round proper of the FA Cup on a stunning 41 occasions. In 1988-89, they were among the fourth round contenders.

Eastwood Town, of the Northern Premier League, are making their first appearance in the third round.

• Kidderminster Harriers (Conference Premier) play at Championship side Coventry City. The Harriers were in the Football League from 2000 to 2005. In 1994, they advanced to the fifth round of the competition, going down to West Ham 0-1 at their home stadium in Aggborough.

• Torquay United, demoted to the Conference Premier only two seasons ago after 80 years in the Football League, play in front of their own fans against Blackpool.

Torquay have managed to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup on five occasions, in 1949, 1955, 1971, 1983 and 1990.

• Blyth Spartans, of the Conference North, have been paired with Premier League side Blackburn Rovers at their own patch at Croft Park. The Spartans' biggest feat was reaching the fifth round in 1977-78. This season, they moved past two League clubs in Shrewsbury and Bournemouth.

All-Premier League duels

The third round draw threw up three all-Premier League clashes (there were four last season). One of the three matches involving the 'big boys' was played last night between Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic.

Premier League newcomers Hull have upset many an applecart this season but they have also been on the receiving end of some massive defeats. The Tigers are at home to Newcastle today.

The head-to-head record in the FA Cup is in favour of Newcastle who have four wins to Hull's one. The last time they met was at the Tigers' lair where the Magpies won 1-0 in round three.

Sunderland, who recently appointed Ricky Sbragia as their permanent manager after the departure of Roy Keane, have improved lately, but like their FA Cup opponents Bolton, they have been lacking consistency.

The Trotters appear better-placed to progress after inflicting a 4-1 defeat on Sunderland in a league match at the Stadium of Light a few weeks ago.

Sunderland have knocked Bolton out of the FA Cup on four occasions − the last time was in 2003 when they beat them 2-0 in a home replay after a 1-1 draw. The Wanderers have only beaten Sunderland once in the FA Cup.

Championship leaders Wolves will cross swords with rivals Birmingham at St Andrews. Their first round match in the league ended in a 1-1 draw at Molineux.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy appears to have strung together a competitive squad that could go all the way and regain a place in the Premier League.

Birmingham were relegated from the top echelon of English football last season.

After their 2-2 draw at Blackpool, Wolves are now seven points clear at the top.

FA Cup holders Portsmouth, on the slide in the Premier League after a string of negative results, are now managed by Tony Adams. He replaced Harry Redknapp who left Pompey to take over at Tottenham.

Portsmouth entertain Championship side Bristol City in the third round of the FA Cup. Fans at Fratton Park are expecting their club to bring in some new faces this month after midfielder Lassana Diarra was transferred to Spanish giants Real Madrid for £20m.

The top two clubs in the FA Cup's all-time winners list, Manchester United (11) and Arsenal (10), have been paired with Championship sides.

United travel to Southampton while the Gunners take on Plymouth at the Emirates Stadium.

The Red Devils, who have also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup, are fighting on four fronts this season as they are also still in contention for the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Arsenal are going through a sticky patch and many expect Arsene Wenger to strengthen his squad this month.

Liverpool, who started the New Year on top of the Premier League table, will also meet a team from the second grade of the game, away to Preston North End.

The last time these two sides met in the FA Cup was in 1961-62 in the fifth round. The tie was decided after two replays with Preston winning the third match 1-0 at Anfield.

The only other meeting took place in 1892-93 with the Reds prevailing 3-2 at home in round two.