Match sponsored by Rainbow Windows and Doors
Nethermoor Park is set to host an Emirates FA Cup second round tie for the first time ever in over 100 years of football as Fleetwood Town and the BT Sport cameras roll into LS20 on Monday night for an 8pm kick-off.
Tickets for this fixture are available to purchase online in advance here or at the turnstiles on the night. With no segregation in place supporters can switch ends at half-time.
The Lions will know their potential third round opponents going into the fixture with the draw being held at Stamford Bridge live on BBC One just 30 minutes before kick-off.
Since the last Emirates FA Cup tie where Cambridge United were defeated 4-3 at Nethermoor we have secured back to back draws at home to Spennymoor Town and then away at Lancaster City in the Buildbase FA Trophy.
Meanwhile Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town side have had a mixed spell of form but did defeat Coventry City 3-0 on Tuesday night which ended a three game winless run.
It’s the first fixture between the two sides in over 10 years, since the 2-2 draw at Nethermoor in the Northern Premier Division with James Hanson and Sean Taylforth getting the goals on 29th March 2008.
It is not however the first time we have clashed in the Emirates FA Cup, we travelled to Fleetwood back in 1992 in the first qualifying round with the Cod Army running out 3-2 winners in front of 288 people.
There is set to be a much larger crowd at Nethermoor though for this one with plenty more watching on live on BT Sport.
Russ O’Neill spoke to the Wharfedale Observer ahead of the historic occasion and says the visitors have players who could play in the Championship in their squad but he is ready “It’ll be a tough game against tough opposition, it’s a step up and a big ask for us. We’re massively looking forward to the game”
Speaking of BT Sport’s coverage the former Everton man added “It will be difficult to keep the lads focused, but you’ve got to admit it’s hard not to think about it.”
O’Neill thinks that the third round draw being held before the tie will add an extra spice to the game “The third round of the FA Cup is a massive game, we can’t say we want it more than them because when it gets to this stage, everybody wants to play a Premier League team.”
O’Neill joked about who he wanted to play next saying: “We don’t want Pep Guardiola anywhere near us because he’s a magician. We’ll take Man United away!”
Speaking about his opposite number Joey Barton Russ added “He’s had a great playing career, but management is a completely different kettle of fish.”
Press Officer Rachel O’Connor highlighted Barton’s knowledge of The Lions after his cousin Josh Wilson was on our books “He does know of our existence. He often Tweeted our results and as you know he has a massive Twitter following.”
Rachel went on to say that Monday’s game could be the biggest ever in the club’s history “We’ve been in the first round proper eight times, so I think we’ve served our apprenticeship there.”
Going into the fixture O’Neill provided some team news and other than long term absentee Scott Garner we have a “clean bill of health”.
“Will Hatfield had to go off at half-time last Saturday, but he could have played in Tuesday night’s FA Trophy replay.”
Tickets for this fixture are available to purchase online in advance here or at the turnstiles on the night. With no segregation in place supporters can switch ends at half-time.
