Our Third Round Heroes Get Set For Dates With Destiny

For the first time since the year Sutton United and Lincoln City created incredible headlines, we have three sides flying the flag at this stage.

Stockport County, National League North Chorley and Boreham Wood are proudly representing the competition and over the next four days.

Can we see some more upsets? Each club will feel they have that little bit more in the tank to carry on dreaming.

First up is Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood - and at midday on Saturday they welcome Millwall, the finalists from 2004.

Captain Tom Champion, 34, knows this could represent his last chance to cause a stir in the famous competition.

“Everyone loves the FA Cup, how could you not?” he told us in the build up to the tie.

“Third round games don’t come around every year and at this stage of my career I’m desperate to go as far as I can!

“We have won four National League games in a row, it’s more when you take into account the FA Cup so it’s all about momentum and taking it into Saturday.

“We have good players. It’s a good mixture between young, quick talent and experienced pros and hopefully that will help.”

Chorley face Derby County - but it doesn’t appear they will be welcoming Wayne Rooney.

After incredibly seeing off two League One teams in Wigan and Peterborough, the Magpies now turn their attention to the Championship big hitters.

Whatever Derby side take to the field, the eyes of the nation will be watching with interest.

What manager Jamie Vermiglio would give to hear his players belting out Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ in the changing room after the game.

Chorley keeper Matt Unwin knows all about an upset.

He was at Bradford City when they created one of the biggest shocks in recent history - turning over Jose Mourinho’s champions Chelsea after coming back from 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge to win 4-2.

“I have got a lot of fantastic memories of singing that song after games,” he said.

“We sung it when we got promoted in 2019 and we’ve sung it when we’ve had success since. It just stuck.

“I love the song and I’m not afraid to admit that I know every word to it!

“We are all hoping we can make another video singing it loudly on Saturday but we know how tough it will be against Derby.”

Stockport County fans hope West Ham’s recent dreadful record in the early stages of cup competition comes back to haunt them again.

The Premier League club have been sent packing by lower ranked AFC Wimbledon, Newport County, West Brom and Wigan Athletic in recent years.

County manager Jim Gannon spent many Saturday afternoons as a child watching the Hammers.

He hopes to add to their FA Cup woes as his side won their third round place by defeating Rochdale, Yeovil and Chesterfield.

“It’s going to be an exciting tie for everyone at the club, it’s just a huge shame the fans won’t be there to cheer us on,” he said.

“We will have to be at our very, very best but you just don’t know with the FA Cup.”

All three matches are available live on BT Sport.