FA Cup First Round draw: Hereford v Gillingham, Charlton v Cray Valley, Ramsgate v Hemel Hempstead or Woking, Billericay or Sheppey v Walsall
Published: 14:58, 15 October 2023
The draw has been made for the First Round of the FA Cup.
Teams from League 1 and League 2 join the competition at this stage with non-league minnows dreaming of a trip to the likes of Derby, Bolton or League 1 leaders Portsmouth.
Gillingham reached the Third Round last season when they played against then-Premier League Leicester City at Priestfield but they needed a replay to negotiate the previous two rounds, against AFC Fylde and Dagenham.
It remains to be seen who will be in charge by the time Gillingham make the trip to National League North Hereford, who knocked out Rochdale at the weekend.
Cray Valley have landed their dream FA Cup tie – a trip of just four miles to take on League 1 Charlton. Steve McKimm’s men beat higher-league Enfield Town 5-2 on Saturday while a trip to The Valley will be particularly significant for two-goal Kyrell Lisbie, whose father Kevin played 113 times in the Premier League for Charlton.
Ramsgate – the lowest-ranked side definitely through - have reached the First Round for the first time in 18 years after their brilliant 1-0 victory at AFC Totton in Saturday’s Fourth Qualifying Round. Ben Smith’s side were the last tie out of the ‘bag’, being drawn at home to Hemel Hempstead or Woking.
Sheppey United could take on Football League opposition at Holm Park if they can get through their replay with Billericay on Tuesday night – the winners were drawn at home to Walsall, who beat Gillingham 4-1 on Saturday in League 2.
Maidstone United – who won 2-0 at Torquay – will fancy their chances of reaching the Second Round after being handed a trip to Braintree Town or Chesham United, who drew 0-0 on Saturday.
Ebbsfleet United will host League 2 opponents if they can get past Slough in Tuesday’s replay. Dennis Kutrieb’s men have been drawn at home to Grimsby Town, who sit 18th in League 2.
Ties are due to be played between Friday, November 3 and Monday, November 6 with winning clubs earning £41,000 in prize money at this stage. There is no prize money for losing teams in the First Round.
FA Cup First Round draw (November 3 to 6):
Curzon Ashton v Aveley or Barnet
Alfreton Town v Worthing
Chesterfield v Portsmouth
Bolton Wanderers v Solihull Moors
Exeter City v Wigan Athletic
Leyton Orient v Carlisle United
Kidderminster Harriers v Fleetwood Town
Hereford v Gillingham
Ebbsfleet United or Slough Town v Grimsby Town
Charlton Athletic v Cray Valley
Oxford United v Maidenhead United
Newport County v Oldham Athletic
Swindon Town v Aldershot Town
Crewe Alexandra v Derby County
Mansfield Town v Wrexham
Marine v Harrogate Town
Barnsley v Horsham
Port Vale v Burton Albion
Peterborough United v Salford City
Eastleigh v Boreham Wood
Bradford City v Wycombe Wanderers
Billericay Town or Sheppey United v Walsall
Shrewsbury Town v Colchester United
Bristol Rovers v Chelmsford City or Whitby Town
Lincoln City v Morecambe
Sutton United v AFC Fylde
Reading v MK Dons
Doncaster Rovers v Accrington Stanley
Chester v York City or Needham Market
Scarborough Athletic or Oxford City v Forest Green Rovers
Notts County v Crawley Town
Stockport County v Worksop Town
Yeovil Town v Gateshead
Stevenage v Tranmere Rovers
Braintree Town or Chesham United v Maidstone United
Bromley v Blackpool
AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham Town
Cambridge United v Bracknell Town
Northampton Town v Barrow
Ramsgate v Hemel Hempstead or Woking
Read more
All Kent Sport Ebbsfleet Football Football Gills News Maidstone United Non League Ryman LeagueMore by this author
Matthew Panting