Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after the club shared that Rochdale AFC will be our opponent in the FA Cup Third Round.
The draw for the upcoming batch of fixtures was announced at the start of the month, with the Toon named as the visiting side to either of Rochdale or non-league Boston United.
Rochdale had been held to a replay in their initial Second Round meeting with Boston on December 1, after the Pilgrims were able to take a 0-0 draw away to their League One opponent at the Crown Oil Arena.
It was not to be for Boston on Monday night, though, as Brian Barry-Murphy’s Dale took a 2-1 victory at York Street in their Second Round Replay to secure a place in the Third Round, where they will now meet us on January 4.
Our trip to Rochdale will be broadcasted live on BT Sport with a 12:31 kick-off, as the Football Association look to help promote mental health in partnership with the Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters and the Heads Up campaign.
Newcastle have never faced Rochdale in any competition before.
Can we reach the Fourth Round of the FA Cup?
Yes
No
The Dale have reached the Fourth Round of the FA Cup four times in the last six seasons, more times than Newcastle have managed, having only progressed beyond our entry in the Third Round on three occasions in the same period.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans took note of the club’s fixture update…
@mattovo very specific KO time but we’ll be there 💪🏼💪🏼
— Alex Simpson (@magic_magpie) December 17, 2019
Strange kick off time that mind
— NUFC_UPDATE (@nufc_update) December 16, 2019
Do love a classic 12:31pm kick off
— Matty C (@Crowy96) December 16, 2019
Could well be a shock on the cards, Newcastle might win an FA Cup tie for once…
— Alex Maxwell 🎅 (@MaxwellA98) December 16, 2019
Would have been able to make it if it was 12:30 😫
— Lee Ridley (@leerid88) December 16, 2019
When Tickets out?
— Zach (@Zach_freer1) December 16, 2019
Minutes silence for Toon exiting the FA CUP
— Jaffa (@jaffa9765) December 16, 2019
Thats us out
— Jay (@Nufcjay1892) December 16, 2019
That’s Rochdale through as we don’t do cup runs
— Liam ⚫️⚪️ (@LiamNUFC1998) December 16, 2019
In other Newcastle United news, Bruce is planning for life without a £42k-p/w Toon man.