Preview | Hartlepool United v Gillingham

Victoria Park is the venue as Gills go for a place in the second round of the FA Cup.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED V GILLINGHAM

The Super 6 Stadium

Emirates FA Cup first round replay

Wednesday November 21

Kick-off, 7:45pm

Team News:

This game has come too soon for Dean Parrett who continues to get himself match fit, while Callum Reilly (groin) will not be risked ahead of Saturday’s game against Luton.

Otherwise Steve Lovell has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Matthew Bates will have further defensive options available to him when Andrew Davies and Carl Magnay both return to contention after bans.

Davies has now completed a three-game suspension following his red card at Wrexham, while Magnay returns after a one-game ban for reaching five yellow cards.

Midfielder Luke Williams remains the only injury absentee for Pools as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.

Manager Comments:

Matthew Bates - “Confidence is lacking. We aren’t going great at home, we all know that. It’s something I need to look at. Sunday wasn’t really good enough.”

Steve Lovell – “We have to put in a performance and win the game, then worry about the next one. They will be in the same mental state as us, wanting to win the game and get into the next round.”

Previous Meetings:

The Gills have played Hartlepool United a total of 35 times, with Gills taking the edge with 15 wins over Hartlepool’s 11. The initial first round fixture at Priestfield resulted in a 0-0 draw, with the winners of Wednesday’s game set to take on Slough Town in round two.

We last played Hartlepool in a league match in 2010 at Victoria Park Stadium, when both teams left with a point after a 1-1 draw. The reverse fixture at The Medway Priestfield Stadium ended in a 1-0 defeat for the Gills with James Brown scoring in the 65th minute.

Odds:

Hartlepool win – 3/1

Draw – 5/2

Gills win – 10/11

Special Bet: Gillingham to win 2-0 – 8/1.

For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72

iFollow:

You can listen to live radio commentary from Victoria Park by signing up to iFollow.

Our colleagues at BBC Radio Kent will be on hand to guide you through the action.

The various packages available can be seen here.

Officials:

Referee – Scott Oldham
Assistant Referee 1 – Richard Wigglesworth
Assistant Referee 2 – Richard Bartlett
Fourth Official – Adam Herczeg