Ward: Swansea FA Cup Tie 'A Big Test For Us'

John Ward says the FA Cup third round tie at Swansea City will be a 'big test' for his Colchester United side.

The League One side will travel to South Wales on the weekend of 8/9th January 2011 as Swansea City begin their FA Cup campaign.

Colchester beat Bradford 4-3 at home in the opening round before seeing off Swindon Supermarine in the second round with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Mooney's goal midway through the first half.

Although we didn't get a big-name to begin with - which would have provided us with some extra funds for new signings in the January transfer window, we have a home tie against lower League opposition which gives us a good opportunity of progressing through to the 4th round. Last season we lost at Leicester City but the year before we went ever so close to clinching a quarter-final tie against Manchester United, but we lost 2-0 in a replay at Fulham.

John Ward said:

"My first thought was that Swansea would be happier with that draw than we would.

"Had it been at home, we`d have been far happier.

"However, with a little bit of time to think about it, I think they play really good football, which is what we try to do, so I think it will be a good footballing match.

"But it will be a very big test for us.

"I`m pleased that we didn`t draw a side from our own league, but I am sorry for our supporters that it is such a long way for them to go.

"That`s the luck of the draw, I suppose.

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