WEEKEND PREVIEW - SEPT 24

The Isuzu FA Vase returns to the schedule this week with the Second Round Qualifying and 16 ties involving Wessex League Clubs. Sadly, or unfortunately, ten of these ties involve Wessex League Clubs pitted against each other.

So, we will start with the six matches where Clubs from other Leagues are involved. Shaftesbury travel to Badshot Lea, near Farnham, to face a side who are currently second in the Combined Counties Premier Division table, having won all their six League fixtures to date.

A tough, but not insurmountable, task for the visitors. Fareham Town are also on the road with a trip to Bradford Town, near Trowbridge. Formerly one of the leading sides in the Western League for many seasons, they were moved to the Hellenic League a couple of seasons ago and currently sit in fourth place in the table.

The two sides met in an FACup tie at Bradford in 2016/17 with Fareham winning 3-1. A repeat outcome must be possible. Petersfield head west to Bridport with every chance of success. The home side finished bottom of the Western League last season with three points and 185 goals conceded and were moved to the South West Peninsula League Premier East Division this time round but have struggled in their new surroundings and are bottom of the table as this is written.

Blackfield & Langley head the other way, to Surrey, and a meeting with Godalming Town. The “G’s”, as they are known, also suffered from the FA’s lateral movement system and now play in Division One of the Southern Combination League, a step below their visitors. A chance for the Watersiders to get their season up and running.

Fleet Spurs are the fifth of our sides to be drawn away and journey to Hellenic League side Tuffley Rovers who are based on the outskirts of Gloucester and who, by a quirk of the draw, they met in the same competition last season with Spurs winning 3-1 at Kennels Lane. A repeat outcome would be more than welcome. 

The only one of the six drawn at home are Pagham who meet old rivals in Eastbourne United Association. Their two League meetings last season ended in a draw and a defeat from Pagham’s point of view but hopefully home advantage will be the difference between the sides.

On to the all-Wessex ties where AFC Stoneham (pictured in defeat at Eastleigh in the Hampshire Senior Cup in midweek), should hold the upper hand at home to US Portsmouth while Andover New Street and Fawley meet for the second time this season. The earlier meeting, in the League, ended in a three all draw on the hottest day this century but the home side may have the edge.

Bournemouth could well continue their recent run of results against Horndean at Victoria Park, with the visitors away record a little patchy,while Cowes Sports, boosted by a midweek win, should be too strong for Verwood. Also on the Island East Cowes Vics will be giant killers extraordinary if they can overcome AFC Portchester and Fleetlands have an equally difficult task with the visit of the free scoring Bemerton Heath to Lederle Lane.

Laverstock & Ford have ably demonstrated their Cup pedigree this season but will not have it all their own way with the visit of Andover Town and there is a third tie on the Island with Amesbury travelling to Newport where a home win looks the likely outcome. 

Portland have shown signs of getting their season under way and must have a chance at home to Hythe & Dibden while Whitchurch, after a good win in midweek, will make life hard for Moneyfields at Longmeadow.

The number of Vase ties has obviously decimated the League programme on the day with only six matches surviving, two in the Premier and four in Division One.

In the top flight Alresford, who have conceded eleven goals in their last two games, may find it difficult to get back to winning ways against visitors Baffins Milton Rovers while Hamble Club will be looking to maintain their current winning run when they travel to Christchurch. 

In Division One, League leaders New Milton Town make the short journey to Ringwood Town and could retain top spot but Follands, after defeats in their last two games, will not find matters easy at Romsey. Millbrook have picked up of late but may have to concede the points at Downton while another side showing improvement, Hamworthy Recreation, make the long haul to Ash where the result could go either way.

Good luck to all, especially those looking to be in Monday’s Draw for the next round of the Vase.

Article Photo: Steve Ross/ Those White Lines