FA Vase First Round - Saturday/Sunday 21/22 October

[Rhodes]

An early look at the nine interesting First Round proper ties involving SSML Club's that are taking place this weekend. Dunstable Town and St Panteleimon enter the competition at this stage having reached the Third Round last season, Biggleswade United and Tring Athletic are exempt until the Second Round having reached the Fourth and Fifth Round's respectively last season:

Saturday 21 October (kick off 3.00pm unless stated)

FA Vase First Round
Arlesey Town v Eynesbury Rovers
Fakenham Town v Cockfosters
Frenford v London Lions
Milton Keynes Irish v Real Bedford
Potton United v Hullbridge Sports
Sawbridgeworth Town v Tilbury 
Shefford Town & Campton v Crawley Green
St Panteleimon v Heacham FC (kick off 7.45pm)

Sunday 22 October (kick off 3.00pm)

FA Vase First Round
Dunstable Town v Woodford Town

Edited October 19, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
Shefford Town & Campton v Crawley Green

There's nothing worse than when two SSML Club's get drawn together in competitions is there:

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Sunday 22 October (kick off 3.00pm)
FA Vase First Round
Dunstable Town v Woodford Town

A reminder that the Dunstable Town v Woodford Town tie is taking place on Sunday (22 October) due to AFC Dunstable playing a Southern League Division One Central fixture at Creasey Park on Saturday:

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October
FA Vase First Round
St Panteleimon v Heacham FC (kick off 7.45pm)

I expect a lot of 'doubles' and possibly 'trebles' will be completed at Parkfield tomorrow evening however there will be a pitch inspection at 10.30am and I gather the tie is in doubt.

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
Fakenham Town v Cockfosters

 Eastern Counties League Premier Division Fakenham Town have been SSML Club's nemesis in this competition in the past haven't they:

Edited October 21, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October
FA Vase First Round
Frenford v London Lions

No problems at The Drive this afternoon, this is only Frenford's fifth season competing in the FA Vase:

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
Sawbridgeworth Town v Tilbury 

No difficulties at Crofters End this afternoon:

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October
FA Vase First Round
Arlesey Town v Eynesbury Rovers

A difficult one for Arlesey Town although Eynesbury Rovers have only won their previous two ties on penalties:

[Rhodes]

21 hours ago, Rhodes said:

I expect a lot of 'doubles' and possibly 'trebles' will be completed at Parkfield tomorrow evening however there will be a pitch inspection at 10.30am and I gather the tie is in doubt.

Apparently no problems at Parkfield for this evening's tie despite more rain forecast during the day:

Edited October 21, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
Potton United v Hullbridge Sports

A tricky tie for Potton United against Essex Senior League Hullbridge Sports:

[Rhodes]

On 17/10/2023 at 14:33, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
Milton Keynes Irish v Real Bedford

This must be one of the ties of the entire round, if not the tie of the round, see the match programme:

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/d1d540e244.html?fbclid=IwAR3KVL9LEHv3lomNcoNfjK1YDe79JpbstF-f9-XWZH_r8VJe4HLcme90aPM

[Rhodes]

The First Round results with just London Lions, Real Bedford and Crawley Green progressing to the Second Round to join Biggleswade United and Tring Athletic, St Panteleimon and Heacham FC try again at Parkfield on Wednesday (25 October):

Saturday 21 October 

FA Vase First Round
Arlesey Town 1 Eynesbury Rovers 1 (Eynesbury Rovers won 4-2 on pens)
Fakenham Town 2 Cockfosters 0
Frenford 1 London Lions 2
Milton Keynes Irish 0 Real Bedford 5
Potton United 0 Hullbridge Sports 3
Sawbridgeworth Town 1 Tilbury 3
Shefford Town & Campton 0 Crawley Green 2
St Panteleimon P Heacham FC 

Sunday 22 October 

FA Vase First Round
Dunstable Town 1 Woodford Town 2

[Rhodes]

The Second Round draw of the competition made earlier today:

https://www.thefa.com/news/2023/oct/23/fa-vase-draw

FA Vase Second Round draw involving the remaining SSML Club's:
Tilbury v Tring Athletic
London Lions v Woodford Town
Real Bedford v Biggleswade United
Romford v Crawley Green 
St Panteleimon or Heacham FC v Mildenhall Town

[RallyInRaleigh]

Bring on United!

[Rhodes]

58 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Sunday 22 October 
FA Vase First Round
Dunstable Town 1 Woodford Town 2

A groundhopper from another Forum was at Creasey Park:

Dunstable Town 1 v 2 Woodford Town - FA Vase 1st Round.
Programme - 56 pages £3.00 - Expensive but amongst the mass of adverts some decent content - Admission £5.00 (c) - Att. 220.
As per our esteemed canine correspondent a decent game. Woodford by far the better of the two teams in the first half, however I thought that they played too deep in the second half and at times there was a degree of complacency creeping into their game hence Dunstable Town were able to pull a goal back. Half expected a late leveller for the hosts and for them to win any subsequent penalty period and for the immediate period after they had reduced the deficit this looked a likely scenario. The flow of the game distinctly changed in the final minutes and it was most noticeable that the visitors were successfully pushing their opponents further and further back into defence. Plenty of time wasting but in the end difficult to deny the visitors their passage into the next round.
Evenly contested opening where Myles John should at least have aimed a shot in the direction of the Dunstable goal but ended up ballooning a twenty yard drive in the direction of the adjacent car park. At the other end there was a good interchange of passing between Nimi Ajigbolamu and Harry Beaumont which opened up space for the former but he was slightly too hesitant allowing Eddie Allan the opportunity to advance from his line and block.
The direction of travel of the contest changed significantly when Woodford took the lead. Good free kick floated in from the left by Dimitri Christou, Luke Parrott rose highest, his downward header was pushed away by a dive to his left by Alex Desmond but only as far as the lurking John who converted the rebound from close range. Taking the lead was the catalyst for a sustained period of Woodford domination of proceedings where they had several opportunities to increase their lead. A dipping free kick from Parrott just cleared the Dunstable bar and then a cross from the left supplied by David Gokou just could not be directed goalwards by the head of Nathan Solossi diving in at the back post. A becoming overdue second goal eventually arrived when a penetrative run by Parrott looked to have been ended with him over running the ball, however Gokou was perfectly placed to take over and curl a shot beyond an already over committed Desmond into the top right hand corner. In stoppage time Parrott's pass through the home defence found Solossi on the left and he was unfortunate to see his shot rebound back off of the near post. If the visitors had been successful in achieving a three goal first half advantage the second half would have been rendered irrelevant.
The competitive nature of the contest was maintained for most of the second half, predominantly due to Woodford being a little too casual in their approach, this rejuvenated their opponents especially Tolu Ikuyinminu who became a frequent threat on the left. A cross from him early on in the second half was just fractionally in front of those forwards diving in and then he supplied the cross which Danny Webb at the near post touched in to half the deficit. Expected Dunstable to capitalise better than they actually did. James Lauder wasted a decent chance clearing the perimeter fence with an over struck shot, though Dunstable were unlucky not to level when a downward header by Webb was one handedly pushed away by Allen.
What relieved the pressure on the Woodford defence was the introduction of Keyarn Cope-Chase whose pace and pacey enthusiasm almost single handedly changed the direction of travel of the contest meaning that most of the final minutes was played out in the Dunstable half. Eventful few minutes for Cope-Chase rushing one shot far too hastily high over the bar but his second effort four minutes into stoppage time brought out an excellent dive of a save from Desmond. In between Cope-Chase was cautioned for kicking the ball away, one of several examples of time wasting/management from the visitors but the final whistle ensured their progress to the next round. Not quite as convincing a performance than was seen from Moneyfields the previous afternoon but Woodford are another team atop a Level 5 league who will be very difficult to beat and I would anticipate that they are good enough to progress a further few rounds.
Well over a dozen visits to Creasey Park over the last three and a half decades and for some reason all except one have stuck in the vaults of the receding memory. Venue completely transformed with it being a community hub, two small areas of cover at each end and a standard Atcost style stand is sufficient for the clubs requirements. For some reason it had become mistakenly fixed into the memory that the surface was 4g but is in fact grass, presumably the misapprehension is caused by the surrounds. Good to have a primarily Cray Valley PM based catch up with Mr Wingstone of this parish.
Easy outward journey walking out from Leagrave which was quite a distance but as the weather was a very pleasant late October day then there was no misgivings over the decision. Return journey less straightforward. Decided not to board the earlier quick service back to Luton Station which uses the Busway in order to visit the nearby Cary Grant (JDW), which had a poor array of ales with only Elgoods Greyhound available as a guest. Originally decided to head back and wait for the next fast service but that was cancelled and therefore did partake a pint of Greyhound which was better than expected. Eventually departed Dunstable and all was then well before the Thameslink service came to a grinding halt just outside Cricklewood due to 'trespassers'. Four minutes to nine was the time that The Riverbank locks were finally turned, somewhat later than expected..

[Rhodes]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
Frenford 1 London Lions 2

Two groundhoppers from another Forum were present:

FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
️Frenford 1 v 2 London Lions
Jack Carter Centre 3G - £7
After the absolute delights and wonderful surroundings of Shortwood United in the last round & Chard Town last Saturday, today it was back to one of those cage/3G venues that we all secretly hope doesn’t dominate the Non League landscape in years to come, but the reality is, its these types of venues that clubs at these levels massively rely on just to survive outside of match day income.
I’m sure there was probably much more local & interesting FA Vase ties being played closer to home in Devon & Somerset today that I could have attended, but with an evening activity in Hertfordshire & a chance to re-complete the Essex Senior League, I decided to undertake the long slog to outskirts of the big smoke.
Frenford are newcomers to the ESL, hence my need to re-complete the division after previously completing the division last year one Friday night at Southend Manor. Today’s visitors London Lions are in the Spartan South Midland League which took me about 10 mins to find out after first looking for them in the several other leagues! Who knew a London/ M25 based team didn’t play in the Combined Counties.
The home side are struggling to bridge the gap between steps 6 and 5 after promotion and went into the game one off the bottom in the ESL. The Lions are fairing much better sitting in 12th place in the SSML.
The game as you would expect in these early rounds of the competition was competitive & scrappy but the visitors certainly played the better football. It’s extremely unlikely I’ve seen the overall winners at this stage but Lions just about deserved their 2-1 win after a really good first half performance. Frenford had a good go in the second half after going in at the break 2-0 down but unfortunately came up against a side who knew how to defend and see out the win.

Also at this FA Vase tie, a few additional points. Programme was available at £1.50 I think as I paid £4.50 in total being an old git. Attendance was a measly 52.
Original choice was Ashville but that was scuppered by Babet so I chose cautiously having twice had afternoons ruined by the rain already this season. The appeal, as stated above was the meeting of teams from different leagues who presumably have never met before and it was a new tick for me in an area that I was brought up in.
Agree that we certainly didn’t see the winners of the competition and, to be honest, I got fed up at times in the second half with Lions continually getting the ball in midfield and then turning back towards their keeper rather than being positive and looking forward towards getting a third to kill the match off.
Goals - Lions went ahead on 22 minutes with a delightful through ball from Daniel Creese to Austin Lipman, who rounded the keeper and although went wide, managed to find the net from an acute angle. The second came on 36 minutes when Lipman put the ball over the top to Felix Shalom who shot across goal with Zak Johnson there to score at the back post. Frenford hit the woodwork a couple of times and missed a couple of very presentable chances and got a goal back with six minutes remaining when a corner was punched out only as far as Bobby Dailly who netted from a few yards out.
Not overly memorable and pleased to have ticked off a pretty basic venue.

[Rhodes]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
Frenford 1 London Lions 2

Also see the team sheet:

[agamemnon3]

Sadly, the powers of observation of our Creasey Park correspondent are not all that they could be.

The JD Wetherspoon outlet in Dunstable which he refers to as the 'Cary Grant', is in fact, the 'Gary Cooper'.

Cooper's parents were both English and wanted him to have an English education, so, (though born in Montana), from 1909 to 1912 Cooper attended Dunstable Grammar School, and lived in nearby Houghton Regis, his father's home town.

[Rhodes]

2 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Saturday 21 October 
FA Vase First Round
St Panteleimon P Heacham FC 

St Panteleimon and Heacham FC try again on Wednesday evening following the late postponement on Saturday which angered Heacham FC:

Wednesday 25 October (kick off 7.45pm)

FA Vase First Round
St Panteleimon v Heacham FC 

[Rhodes]

Confirmation that the St Panteleimon v Heacham FC FA Vase First Round tie goes ahead this evening following Saturday's controversial postponement, the winners will host Mildenhall Town in the Second Round of the competition: