WEEKEND PREVIEW - DEC 3
It is FA Vase time again this week so a slightly reduced League programme with three of our sides striving to reach the Fourth Round of the National Competition.
Laverstock and Ford have become something of cup specialists this season in reaching the FA Cup second qualifying round. The Bulldogs feature in the last 64 of the Vase for the first time as they travel west to Newton Abbott to meet Western League side Buckland Athletic. The hosts are fifth in the Western League Premier Division, it has all the makings of a great contest.
New Milton Town also head west - to Clevedon Town - and again it is Western League opposition. Clevedon are eighth in the Premier Division and on paper are probably favourites, but the Vase brings the best out of New Milton, who will be looking to emulate their all-time best in the Vase from last season, with a win in Bristol.
Shaftesbury find themselves in unchartered territory in the Vase, but will be looking to make home advantage count as they welcome South West Peninsula side, Brixham to Cockrams. The visitors narrowly defeated Andover New Street in the last round but have never travelled this far for a competitive game.
The Premier Division kicks off on Friday evening when Moneyfields entertain Blackfield & Langley at Havant & Waterlooville’s Draper Tools Community Stadium (8pm k.o). Blackfield have edged away from the bottom of the Division of late but this has the appearance of a home win.
On to Saturday when the leaders, AFC Portchester, meet AFC Stoneham at home. Portchester have a one hundred success record on their own ground in the League and though it will not be easy, may well retain same.
Second place Bemerton Heath should be too strong for Cowes Sports at Moon Park- and similarly Horndean have every chance of taking the points home from Alresford (1.30pm k.o).
Another change of kick-off at Hamble Club where the game with Christchurch starts at 1pm. The home side have slipped a little of late but should be good enough on the day. Baffins Milton Rovers make the long haul to Portland United, where their inconsistency will be put to the test - and Brockenhurst face Bournemouth with just one point separating the two sides.
Pagham have picked up some points of late and will be looking for at least a share of same when they head along the coast to US Portsmouth and lastly Hythe and Dibden visit Fareham Town. Both sides score goals and both can concede them on a bad day – perhaps an away win is just favourite.
With leaders New Milton on Vase duty a chance for their rivals to narrow the gap. Second place Andover New Street go down to Fawley for the third meeting between the two Clubs this season. They drew three all in the League on the hottest day if the year and then won by the odd goal in five in the Vase.
Downton have had one or two disappointing results of late but should be too good for Whitchurch at home while Newport (pictured) will not have things all their own way when Hamworthy United cross to Smallbrook. The newcomers are making their mark on the League and it could well be a close encounter.
Follands have an impressive home record which they will be favourites to maintain when Romsey come visiting (2pm k.o), while Petersfield Town must surely be a home banker against basement side, Fleet Spurs.
Andover Town conceded five on their travels last week but are much happier at home and could win a high scoring game with Ash United at the Portway, while Fleetlands - another club who are strong at home - will fancy their chances against visitors, East Cowes Vics.
The outcome of the final two matches – Totton and Eling versus Verwood and Ringwood against Millbrook are difficult to predict, but if pushed, then perhaps two home wins.
Good luck to our teams in the Vase and hopefully the weather will behave.
Article Photo: Ian Grainger / VI Shooter
