BUILDBASE FA VASE - 2nd Round Preview

It’s FA Vase time again tomorrow and, with all the 2nd Round ties settled, the CCL is left with eight clubs in the competition, all from the Premier Division, fur of whom will be making their first Vase appearance of the season after being exempt to this stage. There will be at least one of our clubs making it through to the 3rd Round, with Epsom & Ewell entertaining Abbey Rangers. This tie, and that involving Sutton Common Rovers, are being played on Sunday, both kicking off at 3.00 p.m.

Looking at the matches on an individual basis, first up is Bedfont Sports v Haywards Heath Town. The Sussex visitors spent many seasons in Division 3 of the County League but their fortunes have risen in recent times and last season, they won 30 out of their 32 league matches to achieve promotion back to the Premier Division. That momentum has been maintained this season and they will arrive at Bedfont in 4th Place. Sports are also enjoying their best season in the CCL and their story has been one of steady progression.

Next it is Camberley v Southall. The visitors were one of England’s top amateur clubs for many years albeit a long time ago but it is only due to a handful of volunteers that the club managed to survive in recent times after losing their magnificent old ground at Western Road, Southall. They spent a number of seasons in the CCL but these days play at Step 6 in Division One of the Hellenic League, in which they are currently in 8th place.

Hartley Wintney are flying and find themselves playing at home in an intriguing tie to Melksham Town from Wiltshire, a journey of just under 70 miles. Melksham play in the Western League and are currently in 2nd place which is more impressive when you see that of their 16 league matches to date, 14 have been played away. This match is certainly one of the ties of the round.

Walton & Hersham have continued to enjoy their first ever season playing in the Vase and find themselves at home to Glebe FC., another Step 6 side, but a very good one judging by their current position of 2nd place in Division One of the Southern Counties East League. They also had a very good result in the last round winning away at runaway leaders in the Southern Combination League, Shoreham. Walton and Glebe have agreed that there will be no replay in this one, which is an option available, and it will be played to the death tomorrow with extra-time and penalties if necessary.

The final tie tomorrow is the only one on Saturday that sees a CCL club travelling and that is Knaphill who make the 65 mile journey to Hellenic League side Highworth Town, who were possibly fortunate to beat AC London in a protracted affair involving three matches in the previous round, with AC having to make the long journey to Highworth twice in successive midweeks. Highworth are 4th in their table and actually reached the semi-final of the competition two seasons ago, losing on aggregate 0-3 to North Shields. Knaphill will be familiar visitors as Highworth knocked them out of the FA Cup last season.

There are two ties being played on Sunday involving the CCL, with Sutton Common Rovers entertaining Sporting Club Thamesmead, who are another Kent club playing in the Southern Counties East Division One at Step 6. They are second from bottom in their table at present and were previously known as Seven Acre and Sidcup.

The final tie is intriguing with two CCL sides, Epsom & Ewell entertaining Abbey Rangers on Sunday. The two sides have already met twice this season, with Epsom winning both games but they will know not to expect an easy match with Abbey very much finding their feet and doing well in their first season in the Premier Division.

Good luck to all the CCL sides and thank you to the Football Club History database and the Tony Kempster web site, both a mine of information for Non-League football.