Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers will discover the identity of their first round opponents in the Emirates FA Cup this evening.
The coverage of the draw will take place live on BT Sport and BBC Two at 19:00 BST, with the first round taking place over the weekend of 3-6 November 2017.
Sides from League One and League Two join the non-league clubs who have reached the competition proper, with the winning sides receiving £18,000 from the FA’s prize fund.
The Robins will be ball number 12, while the Green Devils have been allocated ball number 21.
Ready for Monday’s #EmiratesFACup first round draw? Check out the ball numbers: https://t.co/nkrAZBWlmZ pic.twitter.com/AeTzjdRWcu
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) October 14, 2017
Mark Cooper and Gary Johnson will be looking to avoid shock exits following last season’s disappointments, with both falling to last-gasp defeats to non-league Sutton United.
Sutton United 2-1 Forest Green Rovers – FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round
Sutton United 2-1 Cheltenham Town – FA Cup Second Round
Despite a poor start to their maiden season in the Football League, Forest Green will see the cup as a good opportunity to gain some crucial momentum in their quest for survival. However, they have failed to get past the third round of the competition in their entire history.
However, for the other Football League side in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham Town will look to continue their ever-improving league form in the cup, with their best FA Cup run seeing them reach the fifth round in 2002.
