What can Hartlepool United expect in the first round of the FA Trophy?

Pools were handed a trip to either Cumbria or Derbyshire in the first round of the FA Trophy, with the two sides sharing a goalless draw in their initial qualifying round tie.

But Craig Harrison’s side won’t have to wait long to discover their destination in the first round of the competition, with the pair facing off in a replay at Workington’s Borough Park this evening.

The winners will be Pools’ first hurdle on the long road to Wembley, with Harrison no doubt keen to enjoy some cup success.

So what can Hartlepool expect from their potential opposition? We cast an eye over the duo standing in the way of a run to the Home of Football:

Workington AFC

The Reds are enjoying a strong start to the season and currently sit seventh in the Evo-Stik Premier Division – with the Cumbrian outfit unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions.

Their squad contains plenty of former football league pedigree with midfielder Dave Symington formerly of Carlisle United while full-back Jake Simpson played under his father, Paul, at Shrewsbury Town.

Workington have little history in the competition and fell at the first hurdle last season as they were beaten by Whitby Town in a 4-3 thriller.

But joint managers Lee Andrews and Dave Hewson have the side on an upwards curve and will be confident of a cup run this time around – meaning they could be a tough test for Pools to navigate.

Glossop North End

Currently competing at a level below Workington – in the Evo-Stik Northern Division – the Derbyshire side are perched fifth in the league despite some stuttering form of late.

North End have won just three of their last ten games in all competitions, but a nine-game unbeaten run in September and October means they are still flying high in the eighth tier.

There are some fairly big names in the Glossop side, too. Defender Courtney Meppen-Walter came through the ranks at Manchester City and later played for Carlisle United, and top-scoring striker Ben Deegan was part of the FC United of Manchester side who famously knocked Rochdale out the FA Cup.

The Sutton Street side may have little history in the FA Trophy but they have previous experience of what it takes to reach Wembley.

Glossop have reached the FA Vase final twice in recent years but narrowly missed out on the silverware in 2009 and 2015 – with the latter defeat coming against Northern League outfit North Shields.

Could North End repeat their run to Wembley in a different competition? A potential cup upset against Pools could set them well on their way.