Harper vows Kettering will give 'best shot' to reach Old Trafford

Published on Sunday 29 November 2009 21:48

KETTERING player-manager Lee Harper vowed that he and his team-mates would give it their "best shot" after they were offered a potential FA Cup third-round tie with Manchester United.

Blue Square Premier side Kettering must knock out Coca-Cola League One leaders Leeds first, after the teams drew 1-1 at Rockingham Road yesterday afternoon.

"It will be really hard, but we will give it our best shot," said Harper. "The club is in a bit of trouble at the moment – it is difficult for us financially – but we will go to Elland Road, try to have a great time and see where it gets us."

The lure of facing the reigning Barclays Premier League champions at Old Trafford is an upturn in fortune for the Poppies, who face being turfed out of their home in the next three years. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Harper has never played at Old Trafford although he has been there as an unused substitute.

FA CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW:

&#149 Tottenham v Peterborough

&#149 Brentford v Doncaster

&#149 Middlesbrough v Manchester City

&#149 Stoke v York

&#149 Notts County v Forest Green Rovers

&#149 Huddersfield v West Brom

&#149 Sheffield United v Queens Park Rangers

&#149 MK Dons v Burnley

&#149 Chelsea v Watford

&#149 Nottingham Forest v Birmingham

&#149 Preston v Colchester

&#149 West Ham v Arsenal

&#149 Aston Villa v Blackburn

&#149 Portsmouth v Coventry

&#149 Sunderland v Oxford or Barrow

&#149 Wigan v Hull

&#149 Everton v Carlisle

&#149 Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace

&#149 Tranmere or Aldershot v Wolves

&#149 Blackpool v Ipswich

&#149 Fulham v Swindon

&#149 Stockport or Torquay v Brighton

&#149 Scunthorpe v Barnsley

&#149 Southampton v Rotherham or Luton

&#149 Bristol City v Cardiff

&#149 Reading v Liverpool

&#149 Staines or Millwall v Derby

&#149 Plymouth v Newcastle

&#149 Leicester v Swansea

&#149 Bolton v Lincoln

&#149 Accrington or Barnet v Gillingham

&#149 Manchester United v Kettering or Leeds

&#149 Ties to be played on weekend of 2-3 January.