Luton Town are set to host National League side Forest Green Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup, live on TNT Sports in the UK (Friday, 7.30pm).
Jack Wilshere’s Hatters will be entering the competition at the first round stage for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
Robbie Savage’s Rovers advanced to the first round after dominating National League South side Worthing in the fourth qualifying round.
Matchday timetable
Everything you need to know if you are attending Friday's game, including 25% beer, wine, soft and hot drinks from 5pm to 6pm.
Where to watch/follow
Tickets are available on general sale for this fixture if you want to experience a night under the lights in LU4!
Not with us at Kenilworth Road? Our UK and Ireland based fans can watch live on TNT Sports, while international fans can listen to Simon Pitts’ live commentary by purchasing an LTFC+ audio pass.
Our dedicated match centre will be providing written coverage on Friday night, with the match centre starting on our website around two hours before kick-off.
The opposition
In one of the toughest promotion battles to win in the English football pyramid, Forest Green Rovers are currently fifth in the National League, just two points behind leaders Rochdale.
After play-off heartbreak against Southend United last season, Steve Cotterall was relieved of his duties and replaced by Macclesfield manager Robbie Savage.
The first 13 league games of the season came with no losses for FGR, but back-to-back defeats against leaders Rochdale and contenders Carlisle United left Friday night’s visitors outside the top three, despite responding with a win against Boreham Wood last weekend.
What the managers said
Jack Wilshere
“For them, it’s a chance to show they can play at a higher level but what the difference can be is the intensity.
“If we give them time and space they can hurt you, so you have to match their energy and when they get the ball we need to kill their spirit.
“I’ve watched three Forest Green games this week, and I said to the lads, if anyone knows Robbie, you will know his team will represent him as a player.”
Robbie Savage
“Luton are a brilliant football club. They were in the Premier League not too long ago, now they have Jack Wilshere in charge.
“I’m delighted for Jack, spoken to him on numerous occasions and he’s a brilliant individual who loves the game and was a fantastic player with a great career.
“I’m so delighted that he got that opportunity at a wonderful football club and I wish him all the best, but we’re going there with the belief that we can cause an upset.”
Last time out
We booked our place in the Vertu Trophy knockout stages on Tuesday night when we beat Brighton U21s.
A first half Jerry Yates brace set the wheels in motion for the Town before 16-year-old debutant Fin Evans smashed the record as the youngest Luton Town player to score a senior goal.
Last time we met
It was a day of celebration at Kenilworth Road when Forest Green last visited LU4 back in 2018.
The Hatters said goodbye to League Two in style with goals from Danny Hylton, Olly Lee and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.
Kit colours
We will be back in our new home shirt at Kenilworth Road on Friday night, which you can purchase here!
Fan information
A poppy wreath will be laid by the dugouts before the turnstiles open to supporters for this fixture, with the poppy badge also on our shirt for those that sacrificed their lives for us. More remembrance plans will be made in collaboration with Stockport County at our next fixture on Saturday 8th November. A bucket collection will also be taking place before kick-off on the Kenilworth Apron.
For fans travelling to Kenilworth Road on Friday night, Hatters Way will be closed between Chaul End Lane and Telford Way from October 27 to October 31, 10pm to 5am, with a diversion via Chaul End Lane and Dunstable Road.
Officials
Referee: Stephen Parkinson
Assistant Referees: Grant Taylor & Marc Wilson
Fourth Official: Alan Dale
Emirates FA Cup first round fixtures
Saturday 1st November
Chelmsford City vs Braintree Town (12pm)
AFC Wimbledon vs Gateshead
Barnsley vs York City
Blackpool vs Scunthorpe United
Bolton Wanderers vs Huddersfield Town
Boreham Wood vs Crawley Town
Bromley vs Bristol Rovers
Burton Albion vs St Albans City
Buxton vs Chatham Town
Cambridge United vs Chester
Cheltenham Town vs Bradford City
Colchester United vs Milton Keynes
Crewe Alexandra vs Doncaster Rovers
FC Halifax Town vs Exeter City
Fleetwood Town vs Barnet
Grimsby Town vs Ebbsfleet United
Macclesfield vs AFC Totton
Mansfield Town vs Harrogate Town
Newport County vs Gillingham
Oldham Athletic vs Northampton Town
Peterborough United vs Cardiff City
Reading vs Carlisle United
Rotherham United vs Swindon Town
Salford City vs Lincoln City
Slough Town vs Altrincham
Spennymoor vs Barrow
Stevenage vs Chesterfield
Sutton United vs AFC Telford United
Tranmere vs Stockport County
Wealdstone vs Southend United
Weston-super-Mare vs Aldershot Town
Wigan Athletic vs Hemel Hempstead Town
Wycombe Wanderers vs Plymouth Argyle
Brackley Town vs Notts County (5.30pm)
Sunday 2nd November
South Shields vs Shrewsbury Town (12pm)
Eastleigh vs Walsall (2.15pm)
Port Vale vs Maldon & Tiptree
Gainsborough Trinity vs Accrington Stanley (5.15pm)
Monday 3rd November
Tamworth vs Leyton Orient (7.30pm)
Love Football. Protect The Game.
Luton Town Football Club has committed in its customer charter to providing safe match-day experiences for all supporters regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation, and this applies equally to home and away fixtures.
In the event that any Luton supporters do make discriminatory chants, the Club will work with the police and football authorities to help identify such individuals. Any such fans would then face the strictest club sanctions, including football banning orders that would prevent them attending any matches, in addition to any criminal charges.
Furthermore, we would like to warn against pitch incursions and the use of pyrotechnics or missiles – which could lead to potential prosecution.
The Club can also be held responsible for the behaviour of its supporters, which could lead to substantial fines being imposed.
As a diverse and inclusive football club, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow EFL clubs in supporting the FA’s ‘Love Football. Protect the Game’ campaign and call on all fans to enjoy the game in a positive spirit.
If you are offended by any discriminatory abuse of any kind at any of our games, you can report it by clicking HERE, or by contacting your nearest steward immediately.
Alternatively, email [email protected] or report the incident via Kick it Out's free, confidential reporting app on the App Store and Google Play.
We're all Luton.
