FA Cup first round draw: Gillingham face Steve Bruce’s Blackpool at Priestfield, Tonbridge Angels host Harborough Town and Maidstone United drawn away to Altrincham or Solihull Moors
19:30, 14 October 2024
updated: 20:50, 14 October 2024
Gillingham have been drawn at home to Steve Bruce’s Blackpool in round one of the FA Cup.
The Gills were one of three Kent teams in the first-round draw which took place on Monday night.
Tonbridge Angels have also pulled a home draw and will play Southern League Premier Central side Harborough Town.
It’s an away draw for Maidstone United against either Altrincham or Solihull Moors. Their replay is tomorrow (Tuesday) night.
For the Gills, it’s a chance for them to play against their former player Steve Bruce.
Bruce was named League 1 manager-of-the-month for September after a fantastic start to life at his latest club who currently sit 10th in the table.
With no replays, all ties will have to be completed on the day.
Maidstone United produced a “complete display” to beat National League opponents Ebbsfleet United in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, thanks to Aaron Blair’s double and Antony Papadopoulos.
United were the story of last season’s competition after making the last 16 but they’ll have to wait to see who they face in round one.
Tonbridge Angels beat Cray Wanderers 1-0 on Saturday.
It’s the first time former Maidstone boss Jay Saunders has led Tonbridge to the first round since his arrival at Longmead in 2022.
It’s only the second time Tonbridge have reached the first round proper of the FA Cup since 1972.
Even then, they had to play League 2 Bradford City without supporters in the ground four years ago due to Covid restrictions.
Saunders guided Maidstone to a famous first-round replay win over Stevenage in 2014 and won at League 2 Cheltenham three years later.
Opponents Harborough are currently 16th in their division. They reached the first round after beating Bury 1-0 on Saturday.
The ties take place over the first weekend of November with winning clubs earning £45,000 in prize money and losing sides collecting £15,000.