Southampton: Saints learn their opponents for the FA Cup Third-Round
By Marc Walker
Southampton have learnt who they will be playing in the FA Cup Third-Round during the 2020/21 competition.
They will host League One side Shrewsbury Town, who currently sit in 23rd place in the third tier.
The Shrews advanced to this stage of the cup by beating non-league outfit Oxford City in extra-time – Daniel Odoh claiming the all important winner for his side in the 108th minute.
All ties in the Third-Round will be played on the weekend of the 9th-10th January 2021 and 2,000 Saints fans are likely to be in attendance at St Mary’s if tier 2 restrictions remain for the Southampton area.
The two sides last met when they were drawn against each other in the FA Cup during the 2010/11 season and Saints left it late to win with goals from David Connolly and Adam Lallana in second-half stoppage-time.
It will certainly be interesting to see how Saints approach the FA Cup during this campaign.
They have made a flying start in the Premier League and, despite Sunday’s setback against Manchester United, look set for a battle near the top of the league if they can continue to pick up points from now on.
However, the cup provides a real opportunity to rebuild momentum, provide players with minutes or, indeed, have real go at winning some silverware.
It remains to be seen what situation Saints will find themselves in when they take on Shrewsbury but it could be a chance for some game time for those trying to break in.
The likes of Will Smallbone, Nathan Tella and Jake Vokins have made appearances for the first-team in the past year and are bright prospects as Saints look towards the future.
Fraser Forster, Yan Valery, Mohammed Salisu and Ibrahima Diallo will also be looking for minutes too, although wholesale changes are sometimes problematic.
Smallbone and Vokins were on the scoresheet as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side beat Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup Third-Round last season and more special moments could well be on the horizon for others.