Tonight sees the First Round draw for the 2022/23 FA Cup competition where 80 teams will be drawn out live on BBC Two from 7pm. The draw will consist of 32 non-league sides who will take on various outfits from League One and Two.
It is set to be a big night for former Cheltenham Town Scholar and current Merthyr Town defender Tom Handley with the Southern League Premier Division South team amongst one of the lowest ranked sides still in the competition.
Handley, who also had short spells at Lydney Town AFC and Gloucester City, is a Hartpury University graduate and is determined to push for a starting back four place within his new side.
Merthyr have had an impressive run in the qualifying rounds will no doubt look to continue winning ways against whoever they get drawn to play. The Welsh semi-professional club beat Isthmian League Premier side Folkstone Invicta 2-1 in the fourth round of qualifying after previously conquering Gloucester City 0-1 thanks to an injury time winner.
Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers will also feature in the draw tonight and will both be hoping for a kind outcome after the sides failed to win at the weekend. Wade Elliott’s side found themselves shell-shocked following a 1-4 defeat at home to Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers whereas Rovers couldn’t find a winner in a 2-2 tie with Port Vale.
All first round fixtures are scheduled to be played between Friday 4th of November and Monday November 7th.
