A spectacle is in store at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium tonight as we battle it out with higher league opposition for a spot in the FA Cup First Round.
After being appointed on Thursday night, Adam Hinshelwood will be reclaiming the reins of the team hailing from Woodside Road for a third spell tonight, with assistant Jon Meeney also making his return to the dugout.
To add to the melodrama, the Emirates FA Cup First Round draw will be held live from our 1886 Lounge, in partnership with Jones and Tomlin. Becky Ives is hosting the event, with former Premier League footballers Michail Antonio and Joel Ward conducting the draw.
Fitting of the occasion, TNT Sports cameras will be documenting the action with live coverage of the draw and the match. Our new Scoreboard, sponsored by Gorringe Kitchen & Bathrooms is also poised to make its debut.
After knocking out Jersey Bulls and Wimborne Town, the Rebels have been drawn at home against Robbie Savage’s side, who have entered the competition at this stage. We will be attempting to reach the First Round Proper for the third successive season this evening.
In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, a replay will be required to determine the victors. The replay is scheduled for Tuesday 21st October with kick-off time yet to be decided.
TEAM NEWS
Harry Ransom is ruled out for tonight’s cup tie through suspension after being shown a red card in last weekend’s narrow defeat to Maidenhead United in our last league outing.
The defender was given his marching orders after receiving a dubious second booking in the closing stages of the encounter at York Road. The suspension applies to all FA competitions, which sees our number 12 sit tonight’s game.
Club captain Joel Colbran has participated in training after spending the last fortnight on the sidelines with a minor injury.
THE OPPOSITION
Forest Green Rovers enter tonight’s tie as the second highest ranked team currently competing in the world’s oldest cup, as they sit second in the National League standings.
The World’s Greenest Club have been displaced from top spot in recent times, having failed to win any of their last three matches.
Stalemates with York City and Boston United preceded a home defeat to Rochdale, who knocked Forest Green off their perch at the top of the pile.
That loss ended their lengthy unbeaten record, which had stretched to 20 matches in all competitions prior to last weekend’s action.
Just two years ago, Forest Green Rovers were competing in League One following years of steady improvement. Since their relegation from the third tier, the Gloucestershire based outfit have spiralled down the divisions with two demotions in three seasons.
THE GAFFER
The man in the opposite dugout needs no introduction, with Robbie Savage leading tonight’s opponents from the technical area.
Alongside managing Forest Green, the former Wales international can still be heard and spotted on TNT Sports as a commentator and pundit.
Savage joined ‘The Green Army’ at the start of the season after winning the league at Macclesfield, a club where he also held the Director of Football role.
The 50-year-old has made an instant impact at The New Lawn, having only lost once since taking charge.
As a player, the ex-midfielder made over a century of appearances for Derby County and Leicester City while also making 39 caps for his country.
ONE TO WATCH
Nick Haughton is renowned for scoring goals in Non-League and was signed by Forest Green Rovers after a fruitful spell at AFC Fylde.
The central midfielder enjoyed an excellent 2024/25 campaign at the Coasters, scoring 19 league goals while also supplying numerous assists.
His performances caught the eye across the division as he was named in the National League Team of the Season.
The 30-year-old has spent seven years at Fylde and made over 250 appearances in all competitions.
Haughton previously has had spells with Fleetwood Town, Salford City, and Chorley.
VIEW FROM THE CAMP – Adam Hinshelwood
Hinsh: “These occasions and these type of nights is what we all do it for! Just to see the TV cameras here for an FA Cup game is a far-cry from the club that Jon and I walked into all those years ago.
“This is where we want to be; testing ourselves against the top sides and the top managers”
TICKETS
The game will not be segregated. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate for tomorrow’s match, although supporters are strongly advised to purchase their ticket in advance via the Fanbase app.
- Adults: £18
- Concession: £14
- Under-18: £8
- Under-12: £5
- Under-6: Free entry
The Central and South Side Turnstiles will be open for entry on Monday night.
HOW TO FOLLOW
The TNT cameras are in town tomorrow night, with the match being shown live on TNT Sports 1. The FA Cup draw will be broadcasted on TNT Sports 1 and the TNT Sports Youtube channel.
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.
BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey will also be providing live commentary of the cup tie.
