FA VASE - PREVIEW

The Isuzu FA Vase enters these pages for the first time this season with fourteen ties in the First Round Qualifying involving Wessex League Clubs, commencing with two ties on Friday evening.

Very much a local derby as Christchurch take on Bournemouth with the home side the possible favourites. The other tie is at Fawley where Western League Division One Wincanton Town provide the opposition. They have taken nine points from four League games to date and it could be anybody’s game.

The draw, as usual, has thrown up a number of ties in which Wessex League Clubs face each other starting with Ash United hosting Petersfield. The visitors have made an impressive start to the season and should progress in the Competition. 

The Match of the Day, as far as Wessex hopes are concerned, sees Downton entertain Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Long time rivals and both free scoring and despite them being in different Divisions it could go either way. Fareham Town welcome Division One Romsey Town to Cams Alders and if the home side can find their scoring touch, which has been lacking to date this season, they could prevail. 

Follands, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, face Shaftesbury at Hamble and will do well to get through and there could be a close encounter on the Waterside where Hythe & Dibden face Hamble Club. One place apart in the fledgling League Table and home advantage may be the key. In the last of the all-Wessex ties two Division One sides who have started the season well – Ringwood Town and Andover Town – meet at the former’s ground with either side capable of coming out on top. 

Six ties involving opposition from other Leagues though it will be a meeting of old friends when Alton travel to Horndean. Alton have not started the season as well as they would wish in the Combined Counties League and a home win is likely.

Baffins Milton Rovers face a tricky tie at combined Counties Badshot Lea, near Farnham and Alresford will only be a few miles up the road at Godalming. “The G’s”, as they are known, have started the season well but they are a level below Alresford which should help the visitors make progress.

Newport were drawn at home to Western League Warminster town but have switched the tie to Wiltshire but should still be favourites against a side who have lost a lot of players from their successful side of last season, while Andover New Street also face Western League opposition with a trip to Sherborne. Their hosts are in the Premier Division so a difficult tie for the visitors.

Finally, Pagham head in to what is probably unknown territory with a trip to Staplehurst Monarchs, near Maidstone. They play in Division One of the South East Counties League which hopefully will give the Wessex League side the edge.

The above means there are just three games scheduled in the Premier Division. AFC Portchester entertain Brockenhurst with both sides in the top six and the home side may well just maintain their one hundred per cent record.

AFC Stoneham have started the campaign well and could get all three points when they travel to Blackfield & Langley while Portland United, who suffered a heavy defeat last weekend, will not find a trip to Laverstock & Ford very easy.

A slightly higher number of games in Division One with the pick of them being Totton & Eling’s trip to New Milton. The visitors have shown a vast improvement on last season to date while New Milton give little away at home so perhaps a sharing of the points. 

East Cowes Vics can be happy with their results so far and entertain Millbrook, who have yet to record a point while Amesbury, one defeat apart, have also settled well and could get a share of the points at Whitchurch.

Fleet Spurs, also without a point to date, host Verwood and could open their account while the final game sees a meeting of the Division’s two new boys, Fleetlands and Hamworthy Recreation.

The latter have made the better start and the home side may have to wait a little longer to get their season up and running.

All will look a little clearer come five o’clock on Saturday and good luck to all in the Vase.