The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Giant-killers Lincoln handed ‘win-win’ tie
Lincoln manager Danny Cowley hailed a “win-win” draw after his National League side were pitted against either Arsenal or Sutton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Lincoln became the first nonleague team in 103 years to reach the last eight and yesterday’s draw saw them handed a mouthwatering trip to the Emirates Stadium or an unlikely all-National League meeting with Sutton. Arsenal play Sutton tonight.
Jose Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host his Manchester United side, Middlesbrough will be at home to Huddersfield or Manchester City, and League One outfit Millwall go to Tottenham.
Lincoln shocked Burnley with a 1-0 victory at Turf Moor on Saturday and the scorer of the winner, Sean Raggett, will be particularly pleased with the draw given he is an Arsenal supporter.
It is the first time in the club’s 133-year history they have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals and the first time a non-league team have made it this far since QPR in 1914.
“It’s a great draw,” Cowley said. “We wish Sutton all the best tomorrow. I genuinely hope they can do it.
“If they can, fantastic, if not, then we obviously play Arsenal. For us it’s a win-win. We either play Sutton for an opportunity to be in the semi-final of the FA Cup. Or we have a fantastic tie away at Arsenal.
“It’s completely surreal. You feel like you’re going to wake up any moment. It’s been a great journey.
“Our players deserve this. They’ve been incredible, it’s them that have carried us, it’s been fantastic.”
Tottenham’s London derby against Millwall, who knocked out Premier League champions Leicester in the fifth round, will be the last FA Cup match at White Hart Lane before Spurs move out of their current ground at the end of the season.
Boro await the winner of Manchester City and Huddersfield, who shared a goalless draw on Saturday and face a replay.
The quarter-final ties will be played over the long weekend of March 10-13.