Millwall into FA Cup quarter-finals

LONDON (AFP) –

Luton Town’s English striker Andre Gray (left) has a shot saved by Millwall’s Irish goalkeeper David Forde during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between in Luton on February 16, 2013. Millwall won 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in nine years.

Championship side Millwall became the first team to reach the quarter-finals of this season’s FA Cup after a 3-0 win away to non-league Luton Town on Saturday.

Goals from James Henry, Rob Hulse and Dany N’Guessan saw the second-tier south London club into the last eight for the first time since they went all the way to the 2004 FA Cup final only to lose Manchester United.

As soon as the fifth round draw was made, memories were revived of an infamous match between the two clubs in 1985 when rampaging Millwall fans wrecked Luton’s Kenilworth Road ground.

But the clubs have met on several occasions since and Saturday’s match, which ended a cup run for Luton that saw them knock out top-flight Norwich, appeared to pass off without a major incident inside the ground.

“We’re very pleased to be in the quarter-final of the FA Cup, it’s a great achievement. If we can get a home tie that would be fantastic,” Millwall manager Kenny Jackett told ESPN.

Millwall midfielder James Henry (centre) celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Luton and Millwal in Luton on February 16, 2013. Millwall won 3-0 to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in nine years.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to finish the season well. We want to get back on track in the Championship, we’ve lost our way, but performances like this will help.”

Saturday’s other fifth round ties see Arsenal, bidding to win a first major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2005, at home to Championship Blackburn.

Meanwhile Oldham will look to complete a double against Everton, having already knocked the Merseysiders’ near neighbours Liverpool out of the FA Cup this season.

Elsewhere, at least one more side from outside the Premier League is guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals with third tier Milton Keynes Dons at home to second-tier Barnsley.

Sunday sees faltering FA Cup holders Chelsea taking on fellow west Londoners Brentford in a fourth round replay at Stamford Bridge after only a late equaliser by Fernando Torres prevented a mammoth Cup shock at Griffin Park.

Struggling Premier League champions Manchester City are at home Sunday to a Leeds team who ended Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup hopes in the previous round, while top-flight Wigan travel to Championship side Huddersfield for a tie which has the hallmarks of a potential upset written all over it.

Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester United face divisional rivals Reading at Old Trafford on Monday.