Romans and Doughboys are back on the Vase trail

Both Future Lions United Counties League clubs made progress in the preliminary round and both are on the road in the next stage.

The Romans have been enjoying a decent season in Division One, although they suffered a 3-0 defeat at local rivals Rushden & Higham United on Wednesday night as Jory Mann’s penalty, Joe Curtis and Nat Gosnal-Tyler gave the Lankies the points.

But Irchester will now be focusing on their FA Vase date after they claimed a fine 2-1 success at higher-ranked Arlesey Town in the last round.

They make the trip to London to take on Deportivo Galicia on Sunday (3pm).

Galicia earned their place in this round with a 5-0 success at Burton Park Wanderers and Irchester boss Steve Sargent admitted he has picked the brain of his Wanderers counterpart Daren Young ahead of his team’s big game.

“We actually played this team in the Vase about three years ago and we beat them 1-0 so it’s funny that we have got them again,” Sargent said.

“It gives us a little idea of what to expect and I have spoken to Daren who has given me a few pointers about their key players.

“To be honest, I just want our lads to go there and have a real go at it.

“We have been playing pretty well this season and this is a bit of a free hit for us.

“It’s a long journey and it’s a bit different with it being on a Sunday but once we are there and in the warm-up, it will feel like any other game.

“We will be going there with a strong 16 and we will be going there to get at them.”

The Doughboys are another side who have been in impressive form this season.

Gary Petts’ team moved into the top six in the UCL Premier Division thanks to a 2-0 home success against Boston Town last weekend.

Having beaten Burnham 3-2 thanks to a dramatic late winner in the last stage, Wellingborough will be hoping to progress further when they also make a trip to the capital to take on London Colney tomorrow (Saturday).

Thrapston Town inflicted a ninth successive UCL Division One defeat on rock-bottom Raunds Town at Chancery Lane on Tuesday night.

Jude Hillier scored twice and Dodzi Agbenu added the other as the hosts completed a comfortable 3-0 victory.

This weekend's United Counties League fixtures

Premier Division: Cogenhoe v Desborough, Eynesbury v Boston Town, Oadby v ON Chenecks, Rothwell Corinthians v Daventry Town.

Division One: Birstall United v Long Buckby, Bourne v Huntingdon, Burton Park Wanderers v Rushden & Higham, Holwell Sports v Bugbrooke, Lutterworth Town v Anstey Nomads, Raunds v Harrowby, St Andrews v Melton, Thrapston v Blackstones.