FA Cup | Chesterfield land dream third round tie at Chelsea

Chesterfield will travel to Chelsea in one of the standout ties of the FA Cup third round.

By Steven Oldham 

Chelsea vs Chesterfield 

The National League leaders will travel to Stamford Bridge next month after knocking out League Two Salford City over the weekend. 

James Rowe’s side will come up against a side that have won the competition eight times, most recently in 2018. 

The Spireites have a long way to go to match their best performance - having reached the semi finals as a third tier side in 1997.

The game will be the first fixture between the clubs in over 70 years. Chelsea won 3-0 on that occasion back in 1950 in a fifth round replay in the same competition.

Kidderminster Harriers vs Reading 

Kidderminster will welcome Championship opposition to Aggborough in the shape of Reading. 

Russell Penn’s side will look to  claim another upset having already knocked out Grimsby Town and FC Halifax Town at home this season. 

The National League North side are on a ten game unbeaten run in all competitions and will look to maintain that form over the busy festive period.

A journey that began in the second qualifying round at Sporting Khalsa has already brought in over £70,000 for the Harriers.  The club went as far as the fifth round in 1994 before being knocked out by West Ham United. 

Reading are twice semi-finalists in the competition, most recently in 2015. 

Yeovil Town vs AFC Bournemouth 

Yeovil Town will be looking to add another big name to their record winning list of scalps in AFC Bournemouth.

The Glovers booked their place in round three after beating League Two Stevenage 1-0 at Huish Park on Saturday.  That victory gave Yeovil a record-setting 21st win over Football League opposition as a non-league side. 

The sides have gone in opposite directions since their last meeting as Championship rivals back in 2014.  As Bournemouth spent five seasons in the Premier League, Yeovil dropped down the pyramid and back into non-league. 

Darren Sarll’s team are unbeaten in the league since mid-October and will hold no fear in hosting the Championship promotion-chasers.

Boreham Wood vs AFC Wimbledon 

Boreham Wood’s reward for dispatching local rivals St Albans City is another home tie against AFC Wimbledon.

After reaching the third round for the first time last season, Luke Garrard’s side will have to overcome League One opposition to make more history and go even further. 

Boreham Wood are among the front runners in the National League and have lost just twice all season. 

The Dons won a seven goal thriller over Cheltenham on Saturday to book their place in the third round.  They reached the fifth round in 2019. 

The games will take place on the weekend of 7-10 January.