FA Cup first round sees Boro travel to the north east

Hartlepool United v Stevenage preview

FA Cup First Round

Saturday, November 12 - 3pm ko

Team news

Nobby Solano is in contention for his first ever FA Cup first round game after recovering from a hamstring injury while Colin Nish could also feature for Hartlepool after overcoming an ankle injury. Colin Larkin (knee) and Paul Murray (suspended) will miss out for the hosts.

Stevenage could welcome back Darius Charles following a knee injury. Byron Harrison may miss out after taking a knock midweek in the reserves’ 1-1 draw with Luton Town, while Robin Shroot and Joel Byrom could both return to the starting XI.

Last time they met

Boro scored twice in the last 21 minutes in the 2-2 draw at the Lamex Stadium back in August. Harrison and Scott Laird got the goals as Stevenage cancelled out first half efforts from Peter Hartley (header) and Adam Boyd (penalty).

Main man

Stevenage: Mark Roberts – with two goals in his past two games, the formidable centre-back will be looking to take his season’s tally to five in all competitions this weekend. Roberts’ form at the back has also been key to Boro’s recent improving defensive displays.

Hartlepool: Ritchie Humphries will be looking to put in a better display this weekend than the one he put in last Saturday in the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient. The 33-year-old struggled against Orient winger George Porter and put himself up for substitution at half time.

Last season in the FA Cup

Hartlepool were beaten 4-1 by Watford in the third round of the FA Cup last year after getting past Vauxhall Motors in a first round replay (1-0 after a 0-0 draw) and Yeovil (4-2) in the second round.

Stevenage beat MK Dons in a first round replay on penalties before victories over AFC Wimbledon (2-0) and Newcastle United (3-1) saw them reach the fourth round of the competition where they went out at the hands of Reading (2-1).

Referee: Mark Heywood

Assistant referees: Peter Gooch & Adrian Holmes.