Great draw for fans says Ritchie

Jan 28 2008 by Mel Booth, icNorthWest

TOWN could cash in to the tune of around £300,000 from another money-spinning trip to face Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

It’s a repeat of the third-round tie of January 2006, which the London giants – then under the managerial leadership of Jose Mourinho – won 2-1 despite being pushed all the way after Gary Taylor-Fletcher equalised for Town.

Town, of course, scored a remarkable 1-0 Worthington (League) Cup win at Stamford Bridge back in 1999 when Kenny Irons scored, but the bookies already have Town at 1000-1 to win the FA Cup this time.

Town manager Andy Ritchie said: “It’s great for the fans and an opportunity for us to go down there and pit ourselves against world-class performers.”

Only Andy Holdsworth, Nathan Clarke, Chris Brandon and Danny Schofield are left on the Town books from the starting line-up of two years ago which faced Chelsea, while skipper Jon Worthington was suspended. David Mirfin, Tom Clarke and Michael Collins all played off the bench.

Chelsea won 2-1 at Wigan in the fourth round with goals from new signing Nicolas Anelka and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

FA Cup fifth round draw: Bristol Rovers v Southampton, Cardiff City v Wolves, Sheffield United v Middlesbrough,

Liverpool v Barnsley, Manchester United v Arsenal, Preston v Portsmouth, Coventry City v West Brom, Chelsea v TOWN.

The ties are scheduled to take place on February 16 and 17.