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Gillingham are in the hat for round two of the FA Cup which could lead to some intriguing ties - here’s a look at who they might face.
Former players Peter Beadle (Barnet) and Mark Bentley (Canvey Island) might get the chance to take on the Gills in the second round while non-league Brackley Town - who have twice beaten Gillingham in the last 10 years - are also still in the competition.
Gillingham are ball number 22 in Monday night’s draw. Here’s a look at some potential ties;
CANVEY ISLAND
Managed by former Gillingham midfielder Mark Bentley, the Essex side are into the second round for the first time in almost two decades, thanks to a 2-1 win over Banbury United. Benno, now 42, has been in charge of Canvey for the last two years, having previously been manager at Grays. He played 175 games for the Gills between 2014 and 2016.
BARNET
Peter Beadle’s Barnet side knocked out League 1 Burton Albion on Sunday, winning their first round game 1-0. Beadle started his career with the Gills and went onto make a big-money move to Tottenham in 1989, the top-flight side paying £300,000 for his services. He never played for Spurs but enjoyed a successful career in the lower leagues before moving into management.
BRACKLEY TOWN
The name strikes fear into many Gills fans after some horror-shows against the Northamptonshire club, currently playing in National League North. Brackley have twice beaten Gillingham in the FA Cup, firstly in 2013 and then again three years later, on each occasion winning in a replay. Brackley are through after a penalty shootout win against Bishop’s Stortford.
CRAWLEY TOWN
Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson is back in football, after starting the season as a free agent, and was thrust into a thriller against Torquay United on Sunday, just days after signing. He came off the bench to replace injured Crawley keeper Tom McGill and his new team fought back from 5-3 down in extra-time to win 6-5. At 39, Nelson still feels he has something to offer. He played close to 200 league games for the Gills.
BRISTOL ROVERS
Brandon Hanlan scored his fourth of the season for Rovers on Saturday in a 2-1 win over Walsall, the former Gills striker enjoying his time with his new club following a summer switch from Priestfield. Their captain Max Ehmer also claimed an assist. Hanlan netted the FA Cup winner for the Gills against Sunderland last season and also scored in a 3-0 win over Doncaster in round two.
STEVENAGE
Stevenage forward Elliott List wrote his name into Gillingham folklore after scoring the 81st minute FA Cup winner against Cardiff City in January 2019, to propel the Gills into round four of the competition at the expense of Neil Warnock’s side. List went onto move to Stevenage and played in Saturday’s win over Concord Rangers, scoring from the spot after the tie was decided on penalties.
NEWPORT COUNTY
Managed by another former Gills player, Michael Flynn, the Welsh side have got off to a great start this term, sitting top of League 2 and into the second round of the FA Cup after beating Leyton Orient 2-1 on Saturday. Flynn, who celebrated his 40th birthday last month, played close to 100 games for Gillingham between 2005-2007.
MARINE
Eighth-tier Marine, who play in the Northern Premier League, Division 1 Northwest, are the lowest ranked team left in the competition of the 15 non-league teams in the hat for round two. They beat Colchester United 5-3 on penalties in Saturday’s first round tie.
BARROW or AFC WIMBLEDON
Barrow had their game against the Dons postponed due to Covid-19 cases within the Wimbledon camp. The Gills were once on the end of a 7-0 hiding against Barrow in a game that was abandoned for bad light. Their only FA Cup meeting was in the 1924/25 season and it took four replays - three which went to extra-time - to get a result. The Gills eventually lost the fifth match 2-1, after nine hours of football between the sides.
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