Forest Green Rovers are in FA Cup action this weekend when we play host to fellow League Two side Carlisle United.

Both teams secured safe passage through to the second round with comfortable victories over non-league opponents, FGR beating Billericay 4-0, while Carlisle were 4-1 winners away at Dulwich Hamlet in front of the tv cameras.

Read all you need to know ahead of the match here…

What we said:

"For us, it's the next game. We're looking forward to it, it's the FA Cup, everybody loves the FA Cup and we want to get into the next round,” said head coach Mark Cooper.

"There's the new manager effect, Chris (Beech) has got the opportunity to manage at Carlisle and with that a freshness and players ready to impress and we have to guard against that.

"I'm not sure how beneficial it is for my staff and analysts to worry too much about Carlisle's last games, because it will be totally different. We are going to concentrate on us and it is a free hit for Chris, away from home."

What they said:

“It’s a great way for me to start at this club. It’s a place I’ve never been to so I’m looking forward to seeing it for the first time,” said new head coach Chris Beech.

"It’s a place I’ve missed out on with them being a little bit lower, but obviously they’re in the ascendancy now.

“The pitch will be brilliant, the opponents will be brilliant, so we’ll have to be extra brilliant to make sure we beat them. I know Coops, he’s a good lad, he’s been manager a long time, I have a lot of respect for Mark Cooper.

“Obviously we’d all enjoy a cup run. I want to go on one and I’m sure the Carlisle supporters and players do. But I’m sure everyone attached to Forest Green also wants that. That’s why we have to make sure we’re ready to fight and battle and play our game.”

Team news:

Forest Green:

With the passing of match-week 19, Carl Winchester, Joseph Mills, Ebou Adams and Dom Bernard have all been given reprieves, after they all picked up four yellow cards before the extension of the number needed before getting a single-match ban, which has now been extended to 10 games by match-week 32, with a two-match ban as the punishment for exceeding that.

Mark Cooper has reported no new injuries after Tuesday, and is expected to name the same squad as the one that faced the Railwaymen.

Carlisle United:

Jack Bridge, stomach upset, and Elias Sorensen, migraine, are both back available for Chris Beech this weekend after returning to training this week.

About: Carlisle United

It was a successful season for United in 2018/19, as they finished just a little short of the top seven. Having started the campaign well, Carlisle lay the foundation for their real push in the middle of the season, and a run of eight wins from nine in League Two, which saw them close in on the division’s heavy hitters.

However, a sticky final few months of the campaign saw them slip to a position they couldn’t quite recover from, despite important wins against promoted Lincoln City and Bury late on.

Ready to kick-on from their late push last time out, Carlisle would have had high hopes going into the 2019/20 season. However, a slow start to the season, and no back-to back wins thus far, has seen the divisions most northerly side struggling at the south-end of the table.

A win on opening day proved to be their only one in the first five, before one draw and five losses in October – and a tough start to November - saw the club part ways with manager Steven Pressley after 10 months in charge.

Carlisle-born Gavin Skelton stepped up from his role of assistant manager to lead the side on an interim basis, but he too has struggled to get the Cumbrians into gear.

Former Rochdale assistant manager Chris Beech was appointed to the role of head coach on Tuesday, with tomorrow being his first game in charge and he will be hoping to get off to the perfect start.

Key Player: Harry McKirdy

Carrying on from his form from earlier in the season, midfielder Harry McKirdy has been the standout man, finding the back of the net on seven occasions and claiming the assist on a further five.

The former Aton Villa attacking midfielder spent the second half of last season at Newport County before signing a one-year deal with Carlisle, two goals and an assist coming in the last round of the FA Cup against Dulwich Hamlet.

Last time we met:

Forest Green Rovers took a point on the long trip back home from Carlisle United after seeing out the final 20 minutes with 10 men.

After a positive second half, James Morton picked up a second yellow card on the 70 minute mark after a sliding challenge in the middle of the park.

Despite the man advantage late on, the hosts were unable to get the vital goal to take the win and Mark Cooper’s side made the long trip home on the Tuesday night with a point to their name.

Head-to-head:

This will be the eighth meeting between the two clubs, with Carlisle edging the stats, having won three to FGR’s two wins and two draws.

Carlisle United have never lost an away game against Forest Green, securing a 3-0 win and and 1-0 win in their first two visits to Nailsworth.

Coverage:

This game will be available to listen live only, due to it being the FA Cup HERE, both abroad or in the UK.

If listening on a mobile device, you will need to download the FGR TV app to be able to listen to the match. A full list of frequently asked questions can be found HERE.

Please contact fgrtv@streamamg.com if you have any issues with your FGR Live account.

Full commentary of Saturday’s match will also be available on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on 1413AM.

Stay up to date also on Twitter and Instagram by following @FGRFC_Official, which will have all of the team news before kick-off and updates throughout the game.

There will also be key updates and team news on Facebook. Round-up the clash by checking out the club website where there will be a full report looking back on the encounter.