When the draw for the FA Cup third round was made there’s little doubt there was a tinge of disappointment for Barnet fans. Hoping for Manchester United or Arsenal to visit the Hive the Bees were handed a 320 mile round trip to the steel city of Sheffield. But it’s a new ground and a chance to soak up the atmosphere of the city where the Full Monty was set and sit in one of the oldest sports stadia in the country. Bramall Lane was first opened in 1855 as a cricket ground Sheffield United moving in 34 years later. For Barnet boss Darren Currie it’s also a chance to meet up with his uncle Tony who is a Blades legend who made 375 appearances for the club and still works as it’s Community Co-ordinator.
Eighty three places separate the two teams in footballs league structure, the Blades have their eyes on a place back in the top flight sitting in third place in the Championship. Under the guidance of former Oxford boss Chris Wilder they are on a good run having won the last three games only conceding once in the process. Sheffield United have a proud FA Cup history although most of it dates back over a century winning the competition four times before 1925. Their best recent run come in 2014 when they reached the semi finals.
The Bees will be cheered on by five coaches of travelling fans who will be hoping for an upset which will take Barnet into the fourth round for the third time. It’s hoped skipper Callum Reynolds has recovered from the knock that forced him off in the second half of Tuesdays draw with Boreham Wood as Darren Currie looks to name an unchanged line-up for the third match.
There will be full live match commentary from Pete Hill & Garry Lakin in an HRB FA Cup Special starting at 1:45pm on Sunday.
Sheffield Fact: Liquorice Allsorts have been manufactured in Sheffield for over 100 years.
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