WEEKEND PREVIEW - OCT 22

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.