Chance for FA Vase glory arrives for local clubs

Future Lions United Counties League Division One side Irchester are enjoying their best-ever run in the competition and will be looking to move into the third round when they make the trip to Hullbridge Sports on Saturday.

The Doughboys have home advantage in their second-round clash as they take on Tring Athletic at the Dog & Duck.

Ar Tarn, however, must wait until Sunday to play their tie as they travel to face Worcester City who groundshare at Bromsgrove Sporting’s Victoria Ground home.

Desborough enjoyed a brilliant run to the fourth round of the competition last season before they were eventually beaten 4-2 after extra-time by Stourport Swifts.

That run ensured they were exempt until this stage for this campaign but they face a stern test against Worcester, who currently play in the Midland League Premier Division having dropped down the levels after their relegation from the Vanarama National League North in 2017.

Desborough go into the clash on the back a 2-1 victory over Peterborough Northern Star in the UCL Premier Division last weekend and joint-boss Chris Bradshaw, who led the club to that fine FA Vase run last season, said: “I’m not sure how many favours that run has done us to be honest because I am not a big fan of coming into the competition this late.

“You know you have a tough tie and it means we have missed the early rounds when there is a better chance to pick up prize money.

“But it was exciting to be around the club in the run last year and it would be great to do it again.

“We probably couldn’t have got a tougher tie, Worcester are riding high at the top end of their division.

“But, looking at our last couple of games, it feels like we are coming into a bit of form.

“We were unfortunate in the game against Rugby Town when they scored a late equaliser and it was great to get the win last weekend, even though Quincy (Peterborough NS goalkeeper Shorunmu) produced one of the best goalkeeping displays since I have been here.

“Our problem has been conceding late goals, it’s happened too many times and the statistic we gave the players last week was that if every game was 89 minutes long then we would be third in the table.

“It’s a problem Lee (fellow joint-manager Duffy) and I have looked at and hopefully we will put an end to it.”

Rothwell Corinthians enjoyed some much-needed relief from their UCL Premier Division campaign as they booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Knockout Cup on Tuesday night.

Jim Scott’s team are still seeking their first win of the league season but secured a spot in the last eight with a 2-1 success over Division One side Thrapston Town at Sergeants Lawn.

In Division One, meanwhile, Burton Park Wanderers picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Long Buckby. Paul Caswell was on target for Wanderers who now sit in 10th place in the table.

This weekend's fixtures

Buildbase FA Vase

Second round: Cogenhoe v Leighton, Hullbridge Sports v Irchester, Leicester Nirvana v Saffron Dynamo, Newport Pagnell v Thame Rangers, Redbridge v Peterborough Northern Star, Wantage v Deeping, Wellingborough Town v Tring Athletic, Wodson Park v Holbeach, Worcester v Desborough (Sunday).

Future Lions United Counties League

Premier Division: Daventry Town v ON Chenecks, Kirby Muxloe v Rugby, Pinchbeck v Eynesbury, Rothwell Corinthians v Oadby.

Division One: Birstall United v St Andrews, Bugbrooke v Blackstones, Burton Park Wanderers v Melton, Harrowby v Bourne, Long Buckby v Aylestone Park, Lutterworth Town v Thrapston, Sileby Rangers v Huntingdon.