FA Cup third round still stirs the emotions

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - A sprinkling of nostalgia and a touch of romance will embellish the sporting diet this weekend as 32 FA Cup third-round ties take centre stage.

The famous old competition may not be as unpredictable as it once was but the early rounds usually serve up new chapters in the Cup's rich folklore.

This year's third-round draw has thrown up four all Premier League ties, including a mouth-watering clash between Aston Villa and Manchester United.

Holders Chelsea take on second division Queen's Park Rangers and Premier League leaders Arsenal travel to Burnley. Stress levels will be high for under-fire Premier League managers Sam Allardyce and Rafael Benitez as Newcastle United and Liverpool face potential embarrassment at Stoke City and Luton Town.

Flying the flag for the hundreds of part-timers and daydreamers who began the long road to Wembley in August are Chasetown and Havant and Waterlooville, the two minor league outfits among the 64 clubs still standing from the 731 entries.

Midlands club Chasetown, who play in the eighth tier of English soccer, are in the third round for the first time and there will be feverish excitement at their Church Street ground as they host 1927 Cup winners Cardiff City.

Havant and Waterlooville also face Welsh opposition when they travel to third division leaders Swansea City.

While those two clubs will be happy with a much-needed injection of cash, the Premier League's big boys will be scenting silverware.