Hemel Hempstead Town boss Lee Allinson is relishing the prospect of an “unbelievable” trip to Wigan Athletic after being paired with the League One club and 2013 winners in the FA Cup first round.
The Tudors will travel to the Brick Community Stadium over the first weekend of November after beating Yeovil Town 2-1 on Saturday with goals from captain Kyle Ajayi and Finley Wilkinson.
Hemel, who are sixth in National League South, last reached the main draw of the competition in 2014 when they lost 3-1 to Bury.
“You’ve only got to look at their [Wigan] history, they’re FA Cup winners. There are probably four or five teams you’d hope to draw away from home. Other than that we’d have taken anyone at home,” said Allinson, whose father Ian played for Arsenal in the 1980s.
“To go to Wigan Athletic is an unbelievable occasion for the football club, and the players, the supporters, they deserve this. I am so happy to be able to deliver it for them so they can have that day out,” he told BBC Three Counties Radio.
Hemel have already come through three qualifying rounds, having previously beaten Bishop’s Stortford and Hereford, the latter following a replay.
“The lads are buzzing. Big club, big name, we’re ready for something like that. The FA Cup is a lot of fun,” said Ajayi, who has been with them for over five years.
The club is hoping to provide free coach travel to Wigan for supporters.
“It’s a fantastic draw for us. I would rather have had an easier draw but if you’re going to have a big club, they’re one of the biggest,” said chairman David Boggins.
“We’re going to speak to coach companies. The last time we were in the FA Cup (first round), we did lay on free travel for fans and we’ll see what we can do this time.”
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