The FA Cup third round is a dream for many lower, and non-league clubs. The chance to face some of the best teams in the country, and play at the best stadiums in the country, is something that Barnet will be out to achieve.

Two teams struggling for consistency in the league will face each other at the Hive tomorrow, as both teams battle it out for a chance to progress in the FA Cup. These sides have only faced each other once in the FA Cup, and that was back in 2011. It was a second round match at Barnet, in which MK Dons ran out 3-1 victors, which they will certainly be hoping they can repeat again.

Barnet

Barnet will be looking to recreate their fantastic cup run of two seasons ago, where they reached the fourth round, losing to Brentford after forcing a replay out of them. Along the way, they picked up some good wins against Bristol Rovers, and Sheffield United. Other than this, the FA Cup has not been a happy hunting ground for the Bees, who’s last third round game before the 18/19 season, was back in 2007/08.

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This season has been a bit of a struggle for Barnet, who, after nine games in the league, only have eight points. They are finding goals hard to come by, with under one per game. Goals are being conceded too, as Barnet’s leaky defence is conceding over two goals per game.

JJ Hooper has three in nine for the Bees, and will be hoping to lead the line again tomorrow, however Wesley Fonguck, who scored the goal to see them win in the first round, will also be looking to be a cup hero again.

In the FA Cup so far, Barnet overcame a tough Leiston side who twice took the lead against Barnet. After this they faced Burton, who they beat in a tight 1-0, after being reduced to ten men just before half-time. They have already proved they have what it takes to beat a League One side, can they do it again?

MK Dons

Like Barnet, it has been a very inconsistent season for MK Dons, who are sat in 17th in League One. They are a side that will see the FA Cup as a chance to have some excitement, in a season that looks likely to be another one which sees them fail to push for a return to the Championship.

MK Dons have always seemed to do well in the FA Cup, without earning themselves as ‘cup team’ reputation. The last two seasons, they have lost in the first round, but before that, they have often reached the third round, and beyond.

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It is tough to talk about MK Dons without mentioning Dean Lewington. Lewington is MK Dons through and through, and has been at the club since it’s formation. At 36, he is no youngster, and manager Russell Martin has padded out his squad with several players that are elder statesman.

Richard Keogh, Andrew Surman, and Cameron Jerome were all added to the side recently, and all are 34. It has significantly increased the average age of the side, and some will worry that their wages could be better spent on younger talent.

MK Dons had a nervy first round game, that saw them eventually overcome Eastleigh 4-3 on penalties. It is a game that had the potential to embarrass the Dons, who were matched by Eastleigh for large parts of the game. They will look at another non-league side who can certainly give them a good go, and will know that this is no easy tie, despite the gap in the league.

Key Player

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It is tough to predict line-ups for FA Cup games, as certain managers will try and rest. However, if he plays, Scott Fraser will be key for MK Dons. He has scored a handful of goals since signing from Burton over the summer, and he can really drive MK Dons forward on his day. He has been an impressive player, and is one that fans will hope that at 25, will be at the club for a few seasons, when the current ‘Old Guard’ move on.