The Third Round Draw

The FA Cup Third Round draw is one of football's annual highlights. I remember watching the draw as a child around my grandads house willing Birmingham to be drawn against a Villa or United.

For me it's not the Coca Cola advert or the first play of Christmas songs that signals the start of the festive season - it's the FA Cup Third Round draw. And, unlike Christmas itself, the draw hasn't lost any excitement since my childhood.

So as Chappers welcomed us the start of the draw I couldn't wait to see who Colchester United would face.

We all fancied an away trip to a club that we hadn't been to before to make the road trip more exciting but as John Hartson pulled out ball number 59 he sealed our fate and we were heading back to Essex - to Colchester.

Mark Sampson then rounded off our tie pulling out Championship side Charlton Athletic.

#ColU will face Charlton Athletic at home in the Third Round of the #FACup after the draw was made this evening!

— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) December 7, 2015

Although it's not a 'sexy' tie and the match won't be shown on BBC it's certainly an interesting one. Both clubs have been struggling in their respective leagues and Colchester will fancy an upset.

However our man-of-the-match, Callum Harriott, who played a blinder against Altrincham will be ruled out of the game as he is on loan from Charlton. He will be a big blow to Colchester's chances.

More importantly though we are back to our comfortable position of supporting the underdog in our FA Cup story. It will make victory more sweet as the U's 'giant-kill' Charlton.

Up the U's!