WEEKEND PREVIEW - OCT 22

October 21, 2022

This week is the First Round Proper of the FA Vase and the ties were reviewed in detail at the time of the Draw being announced so a brief resume only this time.

AFC PORTCHESTER v Phoenix Sports. Based at Barnehurst near Bromley in Kent. 8th in the Southern Counties East League with 15 points from nine games. AFC STONEHAM v Fisher. Their home is in South London and they are not enjoying the best of seasons being bottom of the Southern Counties East League with 5 points from nine games.

Bradford Town v LAVERSTOCK & FORD. Were in the Western League for many years until switched to the Hellenic League a couple of seasons ago. Currently eighth with 18 points from twelve matches.

Cribbs v PORTLAND UNITED. As with Bradford, switched from the Western League to the Hellenic and at present are joint top with 30 points out of a possible 36. On the outskirts of Bristol and are managed by Richard Luffman who many will recall from his days at Alresford Town. Beaten by New Street at this stage last season. Cullompton Rangers v BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS. A trip to Devon for the Premier Division title chasers and opposition from the South West Peninsula League – 12th with 18 from 14. The sides met in the 2016/17 competition with the Harlequins winning a replay at home.

HORNDEAN v Bexhill United. A journey along the South Coast for the visitors from Sussex who sit in 8th place in the Southern Combination having gained 22 points from 12 fixtures. Kennington v BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY. The Wessex League side are struggling in the League and may welcome this as a break. Their opponents groundshare with Ashford in Kent and are 17th in the Southern Counties East with just 8 points to date. NEWPORT v Ascot United. Old foes in the FA Competition with the Berkshire side at present fifth in the Combined Counties North Division with six wins and one defeat in seven matches.

Oldland Abbotonians v SHAFTESBURY, Western League opposition from South Gloucestershire and a step below Shaftesbury in 4th place in Division One. PAGHAM v Sporting Bengal United. From Division One of the Eastern Counties League and perhaps one of the lower ranked sides left in the Competition. Mid table in the League and they play their home games at the Mile End Stadium in the East End of London. Every chance for Pagham to get back to winning ways after a poor run of results in the League.

Rayners Lane v COWES SPORTS. The Islanders travel to Harrow in Middlesex with their Combined Counties League hosts 12th in Division One, a step below their visitors. Street v ANDOVER NEW STREET. A battle of two Streets as Andover New Street travel to Street in Somerset. Their hosts are midtable in the Western League Premier Division with seventeen points from thirteen games but are still a level higher than the Wessex League side. Last up are WHITCHURCH UNITED who entertain Broadbridge Heath from the outskirts of Horsham and face a stiff task since the visitors are top of the Southern Combination Premier Division with 26 points out of a possible 33.

The Vase obviously means a truncated League Programme with only four matches in the Premier Division, the best of which is probably the meeting between Hamble Club and Fareham Town, only two places separate them in the table and the visitors may just come out on top. Baffins Milton Rovers have struggled at home so far and will not find Bournemouth an easy proposition and Alresford’s struggles could continue with a trip to the Forest and Brockenhurst. The final game sees Hythe & Dibden journey to Christchurch with both sides being a little inconsistent, but Hythe’s away form could win the day.

Division One is not so heavily decimated with eight fixtures remaining. League leaders New Milton Town entertain Petersfield Town and should come through what could be a testing 90 minutes and Downton may be too strong for Romsey at home. Follands will cross to East Cowes Vics with every hope of the three points while Millbrook’s recent form suggests a perhaps difficult afternoon for Andover Town at Test Park.

The rapidly improving Hamworthy Recreation should get at least a point at Ringwood and fellow newcomers Fleetlands could well come out on top when they host Amesbury Town in the first meeting between the two Clubs. Ash United have yet to record an away victory this season and will find it hard to break the mould at Fawley while Totton & Eling should leave Fleet Spurs still seeking their first point after their meeting at Millers Park.

Lastly, a rare local Cup fixture on a Saturday as Moneyfields make the short journey to Paulsgrove in the Russell Cotes Cup with every chance of progressing to the next round.

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PURPS INTO VASE QUARTERS

February 15, 2026

AFC Stoneham held their nerve to edge-out Haywards Heath Town on penalties and reach the FA Vase quarter finals for the first time. Duarte Martins put the Purps ahead early in the second half, before the hosts levelled through Henry Watson with six minutes remaining in front of 674 at Hanbury Park Stadium. However, Martins scored the decisive spot kick to continue Stoneham's run in the competition, and join fellow Wessex side, Downton in the last eight. Stoneham's victory sets-up a tie against United Counties League Premier Division South side, Coventry United. Downton meanwhile are also just two wins away from Wembley, reaching the quarter finals last week in beating Lymore Gardens 3-0 - they travel to SCEFL Premier Division side, Punjab United - ties to be played on February 28. Photo: Tommy McMillan

NON-LEAGUE DAY 2026

February 8, 2026

Grassroots football clubs across the country are preparing for one of the most anticipated days in the non-league calendar as Non-League Day 2026 on Saturday, March 28 . The annual event, founded in 2010 by James Doe to celebrate and promote community-run football, is designed to fall on a weekend during the football international break — giving fans of Premier League and Football League clubs without fixtures the chance to explore non-league action. Non-League Day encourages supporters to head to local grounds up and down the country to watch live matches, meet volunteers who run their local clubs and experience the unique atmosphere of grassroots football. Find Wessex League Fixtures On Non-League Day With hundreds of fixtures traditionally taking place at Step 1–6 levels of the football pyramid, clubs often use the day to offer special incentives such as reduced admission prices and community activities to draw in new fans. For many clubs, Non-League Day is more than just a matchday — it’s a chance to spotlight the heart and soul of English football, where volunteer efforts and local pride keep the game thriving far from television lights. Organisers and club officials alike are expected to unveil specific fixtures, offers and events in the weeks leading up to the event. As anticipation builds toward March 28, the non-league community is gearing up for a celebration of football in its purest form — one that brings supporters together, strengthens club-town bonds and champions the grassroots game at every level.

DOWNTON'S VASE DELIGHT!

February 8, 2026

Downton swept aside Eastern Counties League side, Lymore Gardens 3-0 to reach the last eight of the Isuzu FA Vase for the first time in the club's history. Sam Davidson gave the Robins the lead just before the break (photo below), before Brett Pitman's header made it two, four minutes into the second half.

TRADE SHOW & GENERAL MEETING

February 5, 2026

The Velocity Wessex League are pleased to announce that the annual Football related Trade Show and General Meeting will be held at Eastleigh FC, Silverlake Stadium, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 9HT on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 6-9pm. The event will be similar to last year's format with hopefully an increase in the number of football related exhibitors for Club representatives to talk to and discuss their requirements. A General Meeting will commence at 7.30pm, all Clubs must attend with each Club expected to send up to three delegates, two of whom should be the Chairman and Secretary, the Agenda will be distributed nearer the time. A complimentary buffet will be provided and each Club will be given a free Velocity Wessex League match ball on departure.

FvH - MONTH OF ACTION

January 28, 2026

The annual Football v Homophobia Month of Action will be held in February 2026, in what is also LGBT+ History Month; every year, hundreds of FvH Champions amplify the anti-discrimination campaign’s message; find out why and how you can be part of it. Sign up for the FvH Month of Action here ‘Football for Everyone’ – it’s a simple message, but one that bears repeating. Since 2010, this has been the slogan of the Football v Homophobia campaign, which raises awareness of the damage caused by discrimination at all levels of the game. February is the annual FvH Month of Action , during which clubs, leagues, teams, fan groups and organisations are encouraged to focus their efforts and make a difference. Hundreds sign up to be FvH Champions at this time every year to help amplify the campaign’s message and reaffirm a commitment to creating safe and welcoming football spaces for all. See the list of 2025 Champions here , and those who have so far signed up to be 2026 Champions . Everyone can play their part. FvH makes free resources and assets available, and you can purchase items including T-shirts, flags, match balls, captains’ armbands and badges from the FvH Shop . So why is Football v Homophobia an important initiative to support in 2026? Here are 10 reasons why stepping up to be an FvH Champion makes sense…

PLAY-OFFS 2025/26

October 13, 2025

We can confirm play-off dates for 2025/26 are as follows: PREMIER DIVISION Last game of the season Saturday, 18th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 21st April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 22nd April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 25th April (3pm k.o) DIVISION ONE Last game of the season Saturday, 25th April 2nd v 5th - Tuesday, 28th April (7.45pm k.o) 3rd v 4th - Wednesday, 29th April (7.45pm k.o) FINAL - Saturday, 2nd May (3pm k.o) As normal in the play-offs, play-off ties will take place at the ground of the club finishing highest in the regular season.