By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham have been given a tricky first round tie in the FA Cup after drawing AFC Bournemouth away.

The Gills, knocked out in the first round last season by non-league Dover, will meet League 1 Bournemouth at Dean Court on Saturday, November 12.

Bournemouth are currently 18th in League 1 and have found wins hard to come by on their own soil, with just the solitary victory to boast from their opening seven home games this season.

Gillingham last met Bournemouth in the FA Cup back in January 2001 when current manager Andy Hessenthaler was on the scoresheet in a 3-2 win. Also on target for the Gills that day were Chris Hope and Paul Shaw.

The Gills met their match in the next round when they were beaten 4-2 by Chelsea in a memorable match at Priestfield that saw Jesper Gronkjaer and Eidur Gudjohnsen score two each for the London side.

Gillingham’s subsequent trips to Dean Court, in four league outings since the FA Cup win, have failed to yield a win.

Hessenthaler will be keen for some cup success after failing to win a knockout game since returning to Priestfield at the start of last season.

Fellow Kent side Bromley also made it through to the first round, after beating Dartford in a fourth qualifying round Kent derby on Saturday. Mark Goldberg’s men were drawn away to League 1 strugglers Leyton Orient while Charlton were handed a trip to FC Halifax Town. who beat Solihull Moors 1-0 on Saturday to reach this stage.

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