By Lawrence Stanley
Gloucester City get their Emirates FA Cup campaign underway on Saturday as they travel to Berkshire to take on Hungerford Town in the Second Qualifying Round (KO 15:00).
City will be hoping to take a step towards the first round proper after reaching the third qualifying round last season, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat by Isthmian League Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta.
The two sides have already played each other this season in a pre-season friendly, with City coming out on top 1-0 back in July.
Here is all the information you need to know about the clash taking place at Bulpit Lane this weekend.
Form:
City bounced back to winning ways in midweek after a 3-0 win over Telford United in what was a dominant performance at the Tiger Turf Stadium, with goals from Owen Evans, Danny King and Ollie Hulbert, on his second debut for the club after returning on loan, giving Gloucester all three points.
The win sends the Tigers up to 10th place in the National League North table on 12 points, with four wins and four losses from eight matches so far.
Hungerford play their football in the National League South and are currently in the final relegation spot at the start of the season, recording just one win and amassing five losses from eight games.
Their most recent game was a 4-1 defeat to Havant & Waterlooville on Wednesday, with Matt Berry- Hargreaves getting a consolation goal in a one-sided encounter.
Key Players:
Despite a tricky start for Hungerford, they still have players that will cause a threat for the Tigers, such as forward Joel Rollinson, the former Reading academy player who joined from Eastbourne Borough in the summer.
The versatile Jake Evans can also chip in with a goal from midfield for the Crusaders, who are managed by Danny Robinson.
Robinson joined the club in May 2020, after a successful period at Thatcham Town which saw him take his side to Wembley to win the FA Vase in 2018.
Previous meetings:
18 July 2022: Gloucester City 1-0 Hungerford Town – Friendly
12 January 2019: Gloucester City 0-0 Hungerford Town – National League South
1 September 2018: Hungerford Town 1-2 Gloucester City – National League South
17 March 2018: Gloucester City 0-0 Hungerford Town – National League South
16 September 2017: Gloucester City 0-3 Hungerford Town – FA Cup (second qualifying round)
Lee Mansell’s pre-match thoughts:
City boss Lee Mansell on the start of the FA Cup: “It’s going to be a long hard road. I think we’ve got to try and get to the stage where we can get to the first round and play some Football League clubs.”
On the challenge that Hungerford will pose: “We’ve got a really tough test. Obviously we played Hungerford here (in pre-season). Now we’re going to their place which isn’t a great surface. They’re going to be very direct.”
Tickets & Travel:
City supporters can secure their seat on the Supporters' Coach to Hungerford by clicking here - come along and support the team as we begin our FA Cup campaign at Bulpit Lane.
The coach costs just £15 per adult and will depart the TigerTurf Stadium at 12:15pm, with the 1883 Bar open for
breakfast and drinks from 10am onwards.
Tickets can be booked online here via the Hungerford website for the discounted price of £12.50 (Adult Ticket), with the price being £15 on the day at the gate.
Hungerford also offer a 4 for a score deal - where you can get a ticket, programme, meal and a drink for £20.