Season 2015/16 - Second Round Proper

The Vase returns next weekend with the Last 64 of the competition so without further ado here is my review of the 2nd Round Proper and I was back at Broadwater, Berkhamsted for their massive tie against AFC Kempston Rovers:-

Berkhamsted 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 1 - FA Vase 2nd Round Proper, Saturday 21st November 2015
The visitors would surely prove to be Berko’s toughest test in the Vase thus far having not lost a game in any competition since the end of August and are unbeaten in the league as well. Berko themselves have only lost three times since the opening month of the season and like their opponents sit third in their league, so no doubt a tight affair was expected.

The first chance came to the visitors on seven minutes when Robbie Goodman glanced a free kick wide with his head whilst visiting keeper Martin Conway had to punch a dangerous cross away on the quarter hour mark but it was a tight start between two good sides which wasn’t entirely surprising.

On twenty minutes a Berko corner was headed back into the six yard box but saw the visitors scramble clear and then midway through the half came the best chance so far as a ball to the back post was headed over by Josh Chamberlain for the hosts. On 27 minutes Sam Macrae saw his effort deflected just wide of the Berko post for a corner which was headed clear and then just past the half hour mark another good effort from the visitors Ash Fuller saw Carl Tasker right behind it who made a comfortable save.

Seven minutes before the break a cross into the visitors box saw Frank Jowle attempt an audacious back flick towards goal but Conway was more than equal to it. Then just as we all thought the first half would end scoreless came the opening goal. After Tasker had saved well from Shane Bush the ball came to Chamberlain who slipped over and in doing so fell on the ball and it touched his hand and saw the referee point to the spot. It looked very harsh indeed but Dom Marsala stepped up to send Tasker the wrong way and see the visitors go into the break a goal up.

Half Time Berkhamsted 0 AFC Kempston Rovers 1

The hosts didn’t let this setback get to them though and came out the better side in the opening exchanges of the second half and nine minutes into it they got their goal and equaliser when a free kick swung into the box saw Dale Sears convert with Chamberlain there just to make sure at the far post and level the tie up again. Berkhamsted 1 AFC Kempston Rovers 1.

Just past the hour mark Berko had to scramble a visitors free kick clear as they remained solid at the back and then with twenty minutes to go visitors winger Fuller flashed a brilliant cross through the Berko six yard box but it missed everyone by a whisker. The tie was in the balance at this stage but a minute later in the 71st minute came the moment of the game when Chamberlain got possession on the half way line, beat two players and then let fly from over forty yards out to lob keeper Conway for what was a truly magnificent goal, surely one of the best anyone who was there will see all season, it was that good. More importantly for the hosts they now had the lead. Berkhamsted 2 AFC Kempston Rovers 1.

However the visitors so nearly levelled immediately when Jermaine Ivy got in for Rovers but Tasker saved well to keep them out. With eight minutes to go it was the visitors who were now chasing the game still and they were putting the pressure on the hosts defence and a cross saw Bush head well wide although he was stretching for it it what was a difficult chance.

And then with six minutes to go the hosts near enough sealed their passage into Round Three when a ball out from the back was controlled but then lost by the defence and saw a three on one break for the hosts and after the ball was played to Aaron Nash-Barker who twisted and turned his defender before hitting across Conway and in off the post and give the home side some breathing space. Berkhamsted 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 1.

The visitors afternoon got worse when sub Vinny Shrieves, who had only just come on a minute or so earlier, sent off for an apparent head butt on George Carbery. He also had an altercation with one of the Berko officials on the bench as he walked off so no doubt he will face some sort of action for that. It was certainly out of context in a game which had been keenly fought throughout but fairly also.

The visitors had one last long range effort saved by Tasker but that was that and the hosts had taken their place in the Last 64 of the Vase.

Berkhamsted 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 1

So the hosts prevail again to take their place in the Last 64 of the competition and they will face Saffron Walden Town at Catons Lane, Saffron Walden, in what should be another interesting battle and I finally get to visit another ground on this Vase Trail too!!!

Right now here are all the results from the Second Round Proper of the Vase:-
Friday 20th November 
Sutton Common Rovers 3 BeckenhamTown 2

Saturday 21st November
Runcorn Town 3 Garforth Town 0
Colne 3 Newton Aycliffe 5 (aet)
Seaham Red Star 3 Maltby Main 1
Handsworth Parramore 3 Hallam 2
Hemsworth MW 1 Sunderland RCA 5
Whitley Bay 1 Dunston UTS 2
AFC Mansfield 1 Alsager Town 1 (aet)
Walsall Wood 4 Holbeach United 1
AFC Bridgnoth 1 Alvechurch 2
Coventry Sphinx 2 Brocton 3
Coleshill Town 4 Dunkirk 2
Hereford 4 Haugemond 1
Long Eaton United 2 Pinxton 3
Heanor Town 1 Leicester Nirvana 3
Cleethorpes Town 2 Racing Club Warwick 0
Quorn 1 AFC Wulfrunians 2
Nuneaton Griff 1 Highgate United 1 (aet)
St Andrews 4 Shirebrook Town 0
Stotfold 1 AFC Dunstable 3
Bowers & Pitsea 3 Flackwell Heath 2
Yaxley 3 London Colney 2
Sporting Bengal United 1 Sleaford Town 3 (aet)
Gorleston 3 FC Romania 4 (aet)
Ipswich Wanderers 1 Cricklewood Wanderers 0
Hertford Town 3 Barking 2
Biggleswade United 1 Saffron Walden Town 3
Kirkley & Pakefield 1 Edgware Town 2
Basildon United 7 Northampton Sileby Rangers 1
Stanway Rovers 2 Mildenhall Town 1
Berkhamsted 3 AFC Kempston Rovers 1
Knaphill 3 Tunbridge Wells 0
Newhaven 1 Camberley Town 2
Ashford United 2 Steyning Town 1
Eastbourne Town 5 Greenwich Borough 4
Pagham 0 Thame United 3
Lordswood 4 Carterton 1
Hailsham Town 1 Ascot United 4
Tadley Calleva 4 Haywards Heath Town 0
Kidlington 7 Deal Town 0
Colliers Wood United 2 Loxwood 0
Hartley Wintney 3 Windsor 1
Hallen 0 Moneyfields 1
Highworth Town 2 Odd Down 1
Salisbury 4 AFC St Austell 0
Bradford Town 6 Cadbury Heath 3
Buckland Athletic 2 Sholing 1 (aet)
Welton Rovers 1 Plymouth Parkway 0
Newport (IW) 3 Abbey Rangers 1
Bodmin Town 3 Melksham Town 1
Bristol Manor Farm 2 Lymington Town 1
Hengrove Athletic 2 Barnstaple Town 1
Brimscombe & Thrupp 3 Torpoint Athletic 2

Sunday 22nd November
Coventry United 1 Uttoxeter Town 2
Canterbury City 3 Erith & Belvedere 2

Monday 23rd November
Atherton Colleries 3 Chadderton 0

Tuesday 24th November
Consett 0 South Shields 1 (aet)
Norwich United 0 Hullbridge Sports 1 (aet)
Marske United 6 Runcorn Linnets 2

Replay
Alsager Town 3 AFC Mansfield 1

Wednesday 25th November
North Shields 3 Ashington 0
Guisborough Town 1 Team Northumbria 2 (aet)
Morpeth Town W-O 1874 Northwich (walkover for Morpeth Town - 1874 Northwich unable to fulfill fixture)

Thursday 26th November
FC Broxbourne Borough 2 Greenhouse Sports 1 (aet)

Tuesday 1st December
Replay
Highgate United 2 Nuneaton Griff 4 (at Coleshill Town FC)

Wednesday 2nd December
Tadcaster Albion 4 Worksop Town 1

And here is the Third Round Proper fixtures to be played next weekend:-
Saturday 12th December
Marske United Vs Team Northumbria
Sunderland RCA Vs Tadcaster Albion
Newton Aycliffe Vs Atherton Collieries
South Shields Vs Morpeth Town
North Shields Vs Runcorn Town
Dunston UTS Vs Seaham Red Star
Alsager Town Vs AFC Wulfrunians
St Andrews Vs Leicester Nirvana
Handsworth Parramore Vs Cleethorpes Town
Pinxton Vs Nuneaton Griff
Walsall Wood Vs Alvechurch
Uttoxeter Town Vs Coleshill Town
Hereford Vs Brocton
Saffron Walden Town Vs Berkhamsted
FC Broxbourne Borough Vs Bowers & Pitsea
Hullbridge Sports Vs Stanway Rovers
AFC Dunstable Vs Basildon United
Edgware Town Vs Ipswich Wanderers
Yaxley Vs Sleaford Town
Hertford Town Vs FC Romania
Colliers Wood United Vs Hartley Wintney
Thame United Vs Kidlington
Ascot United Vs Camberley Town
Lordswood Vs Ashford United
Eastbourne Town Vs Sutton Common Rovers
Tadley Calleva Vs Newport (IW)
Canterbury City Vs Knaphill
Moneyfields Vs Brimscombe & Thrupp
Buckland Athletic Vs Bradford Town
Highworth Town Vs Salisbury
Welton Rovers Vs Bodmin Town
Bristol Manor Farm Vs Hengrove Athletic

I'll be back with a review of my Last 64 tie at Saffron Walden Town Vs Berkhamsted at Catons Lane as well as a results round up and next round fixtures on conclusion of the Third Round Proper, until then its cheerio!!!

Season 2015/16 - First Round Proper

So its been nearly three weeks since I saw my last Vase tie in this seasons Trail but it's taken me till now to write a review of it as I have been waiting for all the ties to be completed!!!  Anyway back on Saturday October 31^st, Halloween of course, I was back at Broadwater Stadium, home of Berkhamsted for their 1^st Round Proper tie with Northampton Spencer.

The visitors sat towards the bottom end of the United Counties Premier so were looking for a Vase run to kick start their season somewhat.  Berkhamsted sat 3rd in the Spartan South Midlands Premier so it was expected that the hosts would prevail into the next round.

Anyway below is a match report of the game:-

Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1 - FA Vase 1st Round Proper, Saturday 31st October 2015

So FA Vase 1st Round Proper day and I was back at Broadwater for Berkhamsted‘s home tie with Northampton Spencer on what was a lovely Halloween afternoon in Hertfordshire.

The hosts are having a good season, sitting third in the Spartan South Midlands Premier, whilst Northampton Spencer are down towards the bottom of the United Counites Division One, a step below the hosts, so a home win was again expected here.

The home side made their intentions clear from the off, beginning the opening five minutes with a high tempo pressing game. On 4 minutes the hosts had a good chance when the ball fell to Farrelly inside the box but he hit his effort way over from a good position. Spencer though are here on merit and they shocked their opponents by taking a sixth minute lead when Liam Tuck rifled home from inside the box after a flick on into his path and the hosts suddenly found themselves behind. Berkhamsted 0 Northampton Spencer 1.

Despite this set back the hosts continued to play this high tempo attacking football and on ten minutes winger Mannion got in down the left for the hosts but his ball to the near post was just missed by O’Donovan but a minute later the home side levelled the tie when centre half Dave Sears headed home a cross and we were back all square. Berkhamsted 1 Northampton Spencer 1.

The game continued at a fast pace and this suited the hosts more and they won a free kick out on the left midway through the half and Mannion’s set play was dangerous and into the six yard box were it was flicked home by Jim Baldry’s head and the hosts now had the lead they deserved. Berkhamsted 2 Northampton Spencer 1.

Three minutes later Nash-Barker, who had replaced the injured O’Donovan early on, forced a good save from Spencer keeper Thomson who got down well to his right to palm away the effort and then just past the half hour mark Spencer headed one just over the top of the hosts bar but it had largely been the home side who had been the better side thus far.

Five minutes before half time Farrelly headed a difficult effort just wide for the hosts but just as we entered first half stoppage time a moment that spiced up the tie when Berko midfielder Hawes challenged Melling with a very hard but fair challenge although he did go in with both feet together and the Spencer side went mad saying he had gone in two footed and were wanting a straight red. The referee sensibly took his time over the decision and gave Hawes a yellow although some referee’s may have given a red. Personally I didn’t think it was too bad. Yes it was a hard challenge but the ball was won in my view. It certainly made the sidelines very spicy indeed as we approached half time.

Avery went close for Spencer at the back post just before half time but it was the hosts who trugged back into the changing rooms ahead at the break.

Half Time Berkhamsted 2 Northampton Spencer 1

Half time seemed to calm down the simmering tension that was building and on 49 minutes good play by Berko’s Chamberlain down the left saw his near post cross cut out by keeper Thomson and then seconds later Nash-Barker did well down the right and crossed for Farrelly whose header deflected over although it resulted in a clash of heads which delayed the game for a minute or so.

Spencer’s McBride went off after the clash of heads with a massive lump on his head and although he wanted to continue his bench said no way. Hopefully the lad is ok and it’s nothing to serious. Anyway from the corner the hosts increased their margin of lead when Chamberlain’s corner was glanced home by Jim Baldry for his second of the game and gave the hosts breathing space in the tie. Berkhamsted 3 Northampton Spencer 1.

Spencer tried in vain to get back into the tie and on 55 minutes only two brilliant defensive blocks denied the visitors and for the next few minutes it was the away side who were doing the pressing although the Berko defence was holding firm.

Jowle came on for the hosts on 65 minutes and was given a great chance to score almost straight away after Spencer keeper Thomson miskicked a clearance to him but the Berko playmaker could only drag his shot well wide. On 73 minutes after some head tennis in the Spencer area Sears volleyed miles wide for the hosts but moments later from Berko’s next attack Josh Chamberlain was played through and he hit his effort across keeper Thomson and in off the post for a deserved goal for the striker. Berkhamsted 4 Northampton Spencer 1.

The visitors continued to try and attack when they could and on 78 minutes Lowery headed over a corner before substitute Pickering headed over another chance for the visitors moments after as the hosts had briefly switched off having established their three goal cushion.

The hosts though were now going for a fifth goal and on 83 minutes good play by Jowle saw him lay off to Chamberlain whose effort from outside the box whistled a foot wide before the same man curled one just over two mins later. Two minutes later Berko’s Nash-Barker went on a brilliant run which saw him cut inside but saw his effort saved down to his right by keeper Thomson. There was nothing he could do about the next effort though as a minute into stoppage time Nash-Barker slipped the ball to Josh Chamberlain who fired past Thomson emphatically to put the seal on the tie once and for all. Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1.

There was still time for Tuck to hit the outside of the hosts post three minutes into stoppage time from a free kick but despite the visitors heart and desire they were well beaten by a better side on the day in Berkhamsted so it is the Hertfordshire side who progress into the 2nd Round Proper.

Full Time Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1

So a thumping win for the hosts and they now go through to the next round where they have been drawn at home yet again, this time against AFC Kempston Rovers, who knocked out Essex Senior League side Ilford to make this stage of the competition.

Right now here are all the results from the 1st Round Proper of the Vase:-

Friday 30th October

Bishop Auckland 1 South Shields 2

Saturday 31st October

Nuneaton Griff 1 Anstey Nomads 0

West Didsbury & Chorlton 4 Morpeth Town 5

Handsworth Parramore 5 Shildon 4 (aet)

Guisborough Town 8 Armthorpe Welfare 0

Atherton Colleries 2 Newcastle Benfield 0

Stokesley SC 1 Maltby Main 4 (aet)

Silsden 2 Sunderland RCA 4

Rochdale Town 2 1874 Northwich 4

Runcorn Linnets 2 Winsford United 1

Team Northumbria 4 Darlington Railway Athletic 0

Congleton Town 1 Marske United 5

Athersley Recreation 1 Colne 5

Durham City 0 Seaham Red Star 1

Dronfield Town 2 Ashington 3 (aet)

Chester-Le-Street Town 0 Newton Aycliffe 4

Selby Town 1 Hallam 2

Runcorn Town 2 Abbey Hey 0

Hemsworth MW 3 West Auckland Town 2

Northwich Manchester Villa 1 Whitley Bay 1 (aet, at Irlam FC)

Garforth Town 1 Hebburn Town 0

Highgate United 3 Radcliffe Olympic 1

Loughborough University 0 Uttoxeter Town 0 (aet)

Dunkirk 2 Bromsgrove Sporting 1

Pinxton 1 Cradley Town 0

Rocester 0 Hereford 2

Coventry Sphinx 1 Black Country Rangers 1 (aet)

Alsager Town 2 Borrowash Victoria 2 (aet; Alsager Town won 5-4 on penalties)

Wisbech Town 0 Alvechurch 4

Cleethorpes Town 2 Westfields 1

Blackstones 2 Haughmond 3 (aet)

Shirebrook Town 2 Sporting Khalsa 0

Radford 1 AFC Bridgnorth 3

St Andrews 3 Blidworth Welfare 3 (aet)

Coleshill Town 3 Hucknall Town 0

AFC Wulfrunians 4 Harrowby United 2 (aet)

Racing Club Warwick 3 Ellesmere Rangers 2

Quorn 1 Clipstone Welfare 0

Boldmere St Michaels 0 Coventry United 2

Long Eaton United 2 Hinckley AFC 1 (aet)

Stotfold A-A Newmarket Town (match abandoned after 42 minutes due to serious injury)

Cricklewood Wanderers 1 Welwyn Garden City 0

Diss Town 2 Basildon United 3

Barking 4 Tring Athletic 1

Bowers & Pitsea 3 Hanworth Villa 2

Hadley 2 FC Romania 3

Northampton Sileby Rangers 5 Wembley 4

Brantham Athletic 0 Kirkley & Pakefield 4

Gorleston 6 London Tigers 3

Ipswich Wanderers 2 Hoddesdon Town 1

Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1

London Colney 2 Great Yarmouth Town 1

Raunds Town 0 Sleaford Town 1

Hertford Town 4 Eynesbury Rovers 3

Godmanchester Rovers 1 Mildenhall Town 1 (aet)

Ilford 0 AFC Kempston Rovers 1

Sporting Bengal United 6 Southall 2

Swaffham Town 1 FC Broxbourne Borough 2

Edgware Town 5 Whitton United 2

Cogenhoe United 0 Biggleswade United 2

Harefield United 0 Greenhouse Sports 3

Eastbourne Town 3 Farnham Town 2 (aet)

Hartley Wintney 3 Wokingham & Emmbrook 1

Worthing United 0 Sutton Common Rovers 1

Knaphill 5 Cray Valley (PM) 4 (aet)

Deal Town 4 Oxford City Nomads 2

Littlehampton Town 1 Tadley Calleva 2

Andover Town 1 Newhaven 2

Cove 0 Canterbury City 5

Corinthian 2 Pagham 3

AFC Croydon Athletic 2 Beckenham Town 2 (aet)

Loxwood 3 Highmoor Ibis 1

Haywards Heath Town 1 Alton Town 0

Kidlington 2 Ashford Town (Middx) 2 (aet)

Bedfont Sports 1 Carterton 4

Lancing 1 Camberley Town 2

Gravesham Borough 0 Hailsham Town 1 (at Hailsham Town FC)

Windsor 3 Croydon 2

Steyning Town 1 Horsham 0 (aet)

Thame United 4 Bridon Ropes 3

Meridan 1 Lordswood 4

Bristol Manor Farm 3 Bridport 0

Moneyfields 1 Corsham Town 0

Witheridge AFC 0 Hallen 1

Horndean 1 Barnstaple Town 3

Lymington Town 2 Wells City 0

Calne Town 2 Salisbury 6

Whitchurch United 2 Welton Rovers 2 (aet)

Team Solent 2 Cadbury Heath 3

Odd Down 2 Camelford 1

Portishead Town 1 Newport (IW) 3

AFC Portchester 1 Abbey Rangers 2

Gillingham Town 0 Hengrove Athletic 0 (aet)

New Milton Town 0 Buckland Athletic 5

Bishop Sutton 0 Torpoint Athletic 3

Fairford Town 0 Brimscombe & Thrupp 1

Sunday 1st November

AFC Dunstable 2 FC Clacton 0 (aet)

Tuesday 3rd November

Stotfold 5 Newmarket Town 0

Replays

Welton Rovers 4 Whitchurch United 0

Whitley Bay 3 Northwich Manchester Villa 1

Mildenhall Town 2 Godmanchester Rovers 1

Ashford Town (Middx) 1 Kidlington 3

Wednesday 4th November

Replays

Uttoxeter Town 3 Loughborough University 2

Black Country Rangers 4 Coventry Sphinx 6 (aet)

Beckenham Town 6 AFC Croydon Athletic 3 (aet)

Saturday 14th November

Plymouth Parkway 6 Blackfield & Langley 0

Tuesday 17th November

Replay

Blidworth Welfare 0 St Andrews 2

And now here are this weekend's 2nd Round Proper ties:-

Friday 20th November

Sutton Commen Rovers Vs Beckenham Town

Atherton Collieries Vs Chadderton

Saturday 21st November

Runcorn Town Vs Garforth Town

North Shields Vs Ashington

Morpeth Town Vs 1874 Northwich

Colne Vs Newton Aycliffe

Seaham Red Star Vs Maltby Main

Handsworth MW Vs Sunderland RCA

Consett AFC Vs South Shields

Whitley Bay Vs Dunston UTS

Marske United Vs Runcorn Linnets

Tadcaster Albion Vs Worksop Town

Guisborough Town Vs Team Northumbria

AFC Mansfield Vs Alsager Town

Walsall Wood Vs Holbeach United

AFC Bridgnorth Vs Alvechurch

Coventry Sphinx Vs Brocton

Coleshill Town Vs Dunkirk

Hereford Vs Haughmond

Long Eaton United Vs Pinxton

Heanor Town Vs Leicester Nirvana

Cleethorpes Town Vs Racing Club Warwick

Quorn Vs AFC Wulfrunians

Nuneaton Griff Vs Highgate United

St Andrews Vs Shirebrook Town

Stotfold Vs AFC Dunstable

Bowers & Pitsea Vs Flackwell Heath

Yaxley Vs London Colney

Sporting Bengal United Vs Sleaford Town

Gorleston Vs FC Romania

Ipswich Wanderers Vs Cricklewood Wanderers

FC Broxbourne Borough Vs Greenhouse Sports

Norwich United Vs Hullbridge Sports

Hertford Town Vs Barking

Biggleswade United Vs Saffron Walden Town

Kirkley & Pakefield Vs Edgware Town

Basildon United Vs Northampton Sileby Rangers

Stanway Rovers Vs Mildenhall Town

Berkhamsted Vs AFC Kempston Rovers

Knaphill Vs Tunbridge Wells

Newhaven Vs Camberley Town

Ashford United Vs Steyning Town

Eastbourne Town Vs Greenwich Borough

Pagham Vs Thame United

Lordswood Vs Carterton

Hailsham Town Vs Ascot United

Tadley Calleva Vs Haywards Heath Town

Kidlington Vs Deal Town

Colliers Wood United Vs Loxwood

Hartley Wintney Vs Windsor

Hallen Vs Moneyfields

Highworth Town Vs Odd Down

Salisbury Vs AFC St Austell

Bradford Town Vs Cadbury Heath

Buckland Athletic Vs Sholing

Welton Rovers Vs Plymouth Parkway

Newport (IW) Vs Abbey Rangers

Bodmin Town Vs Melksham Town

Bristol Manor Farm Vs Lymington Town

Hengrove Athletic Vs Barnstaple Town

Brimscombe & Thrupp Vs Torpoint Athletic

Sunday 22nd November

Coventry United Vs Uttoxeter Town

Canterbury City Vs Erith & Belvedere

That concludes my blog on the First Round Proper.  Last years winners North Shields enter the completion now and start their defence of their title at home to Ashingdon.  I'll be back with my Second Round Proper blog once all the replays and stuff are all done n dusted.  I will also of course bring you a report of the Berkhamsted Vs AFC Kempston Rovers tie that I am attending.  Until then its byeeeeeeeeeeeee.