Let the Magic Begin...

As we know, Nigel Clough will take his Sheffield United side to Colchester United - a side which we have met twice in the previous ten years, winning once and losing once also (both games were played at Bramall Lane) and our sources suggest that our fixture is to be screened live on Singapore television. The Blades have made into round four in the previous two years whilst at League One level and we hope that Mr Clough has been tasked to (hopefully) reach that stage again this time round.

Many former names will no doubt flood the television this weekend and whilst we will nautically we spurring on the Red and White Wizards we won't forget to take a glance at Brisbane Road were League One table toppers Leyton Orient host Southport - were the West Coast side is managed by former Blade Alan Wright who after joining on loan from Middlesbrough in October 2003 made his move permanent in January and featured somewhat as United won promotion to the Premier League in 2006. He left the Lane in October 2007 and joined Cheltenham Town - he left having made 42 (+8) appearances and scored once.

It will also be worth watching out for Nathan Ellington who is currently on the Southport books, whilst of course former assistant to Neil Warnock, Russell Slade is manager of the O's so it's guaranteed that one former Blade is to be successful, though the non-leaguers will be hoping for a draw and take them back to Haig Avenue.

Southport beat Cambridge United by a single goal last Saturday and the U's will be pitting their whist at Bury where the former Football League side will no doubt have a great shout at making a passage into the next round.

Locally Chesterfield face Midlands side Daventry Town - the Spirites haven't won in eight matches but a home win looks likely on the cards and moving to the West; FC Halifax Town travel to MK Dons were again a home win looks a certainly. Grimsby Town host Scunthorpe United in what will be a heated Lincolnshire Derby and I wouldn't bet against the Mariners upsetting their League Two opponents at Blundell Park who are joint managed by Rob Scott and Paul Hurst.

Lastly Lincoln City host Plymouth Argyle; the Imps are managed by Sheffield born Gary Simpson; the Imps see Waide Fairhurst on their books who despite making his name at Doncaster Rovers was in his younger days on the books of Sheffield United as a youth.

Perhaps the biggest tie of the round comes in the form of the South meets West Yorkshire Derby between Rotherham United and Bradford City in the all League One clash at the New York Stadium. However Brentford contest a local-derby match also. The Bees host minnows Staines Town (managed by former Brentford Wimbledon striker Marcus Gayle) where only 14 miles and four leagues separate the two teams.