Loftus Road beckons for Clarets

Last updated : 30 November 2008 By Tony Scholes
John Connelly
John Connelly - scored the first goal last time we met QPR in the FA Cup
"Number 31," called Sir Trevor Brooking, confirmed as QPR by Jim Rosenthal. Then came, "Number 9," from Ray Clemence to confirm the tie QPR v Burnley, the fifth season in succession we've drawn a Premier League or Championship club in the 3rd round.

My first thoughts were one of major disappointment and that's not changed, it is hardly the draw to inspire anyone, neither a big club nor a relatively easy draw against a lower club at home.

We've twice played QPR in the FA Cup and both times have been at a time when Burnley had their best sides. We beat them 4-2 in the 2nd round in our Championship 1920/1 season with two goals each from Joe Anderson and Bob Kelly.

More recently QPR were our first victims in the 3rd round when we last reached the FA Cup Final in 1962. On that occasion, as in 1921, the game was played at home, and we won this one 6-1.

John Connelly's early goal was the difference between the two teams at half time, but in the second half a Jimmy McIlroy penalty doubled the lead and that was followed by an own goal and then Alex Elder's first Burnley goal. QPR pulled one back but two from Gordon Harris in the last eight minutes completed the scoring.

This season's tie will be played on the first weekend of 2009 and is almost certain to be played on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd January.

The full draw is:

Portsmouth v Bristol City
Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham
Preston v Liverpool
Birmingham v Wolves
West Ham v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Hull v Newcastle
Hartlepool v Stoke
Chelsea v Southend
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Cardiff v Reading
Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylsden
Charlton v Norwich
West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere
Torquay v Blackpool
Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Southampton v Manchester United
Millwall v Carlisle or Crewe
Histon v Swansea
Forest Green Rovers v Derby
QPR v Burnley
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Wigan
Morecambe or Cheltenham v Doncaster
Arsenal v Plymouth
Notts County or Kettering v Eastwood Town
Bournemouth or Blyth Spartans v Blackburn
Macclesfield v Everton
Watford v Scunthorpe
RK Sunderland v Bolton
Coventry v Kidderminster
Gillingham or Stockport v Aston Villa