FA Vase Second Qualifying Round - Friday/Saturday 19/20 September

[Rhodes]

Good luck to all the SSML Club's in action in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round on Saturday, Tring Athletic and Harpenden Town have exemptions to the First Round proper having both reached the Third Round last season:

Friday 19 September (kick off 7.45pm)

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
AFC Welwyn v Kings Park Rangers
Langley v Desborough Town

Saturday 20 September (kick off 3.00pm unless stated)

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Abingdon United v Irchester United 
Ardley United v Wellingborough Whitworth
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v London Samurai Rovers
Bedfont Sports v Cranfield United
Biggleswade United v Hadleigh United
Brook House v Winslow United
Everett Rovers v Staines Lammas
Harlow Town v Hullbridge Sports
Haverhill Rovers v Arlesey Town
Little Oakley v Colney Heath 
Long Melford v Cockfosters
Mulbarton Wanderers v Eaton Socon
Newport Pagnell Town v Kings Langley
Northampton Sileby Rangers v Crawley Green 
N W London v Letchworth Garden City Eagles
Potton United v Hutton FC  
Rushden & Higham United v Ampthill Town
Sawbridgeworth Town v Haringey Borough    
Shefford Town & Campton v Belstone
Virginia Water v Kempston Rovers (kick off 7.45pm)
Whittlesey Athletic v Huntingdon Town

Edited September 17, 2025 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

To quote Karen, God rest her soul, there are some 'schoolboy errors' on Full Time, AFC Welwyn v Kings Park Rangers and Langley v Desborough Town are both on Friday evening and the Virginia Water v Kempston Rovers tie on Saturday is a 7.45pm kick off. See a link to all the Second Qualifying Round ties taking place on Friday, Saturday and just one on Sunday:

https://www.thefa.com/competitions/fa-vase/fixtures

[Winslow Boy]

Looks a tough away day for Winslow. I’d agree that they look like what is probably a decent step 5 team playing in the level below. I think Winslow will have to be at close to their best to come through, historically we are not a great cup side. 
 

https://www.sportsshots.org.uk/2025/09/18/isuzu-fav-2qr-winslow-united-boss-previews-challenging-vase-trip-to-brook-house/

[Rhodes]

On 17/09/2025 at 13:37, Rhodes said:

Friday 19 September (kick off 7.45pm)
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
AFC Welwyn v Kings Park Rangers

It's strange that this tie is still showing on Full Time as a 3.00pm kick off on Saturday 20 September:

https://afc-welwyn-ltd.sumupstore.com/product/afc-welwyn-vs-kings-park-rangers-fa-vase-2nd-qualifying-round

[Rhodes]

On 19/09/2025 at 14:25, Rhodes said:

Friday 19 September (kick off 8.00pm)
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Langley v Desborough Town

Again, it's strange that this tie is still showing on Full Time as a 3.00pm kick off on Saturday 20 September:

https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=14522

Edited September 25, 2025 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 17/09/2025 at 13:37, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September (kick off 3.00pm unless stated)
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Ardley United v Wellingborough Whitworth

An interesting preview and the match programme from the Ardley United v Wellingborough Whitworth tie:
https://www.ardleyunitedfc.co.uk/news/fa-vase-aufc-vs-wwfc

[Rhodes]

6 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

Looks a tough away day for Winslow. I’d agree that they look like what is probably a decent step 5 team playing in the level below. I think Winslow will have to be at close to their best to come through, historically we are not a great cup side. 

https://www.sportsshots.org.uk/2025/09/18/isuzu-fav-2qr-winslow-united-boss-previews-challenging-vase-trip-to-brook-house/

Winslow Boy - That's right, here is Winslow United's full FA Vase record and it doesn't make very pleasant reading does it:

1982-83   PRE   WOODFORD TOWN                       H    1-0
          1     LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY              A    2-3
1983-84   PRE   WARE                                H    3-0
          1     ROYSTON TOWN                        H    1-1
          1r    ROYSTON TOWN                        A    4-3
          2     TIPTREE UNITED                      H    1-2
1984-85   PRE   BECKTON UNITED                      A    3-3
          PREr  BECKTON UNITED                      H    0-1
1985-86   PRE   BEACONSFIELD UNITED                 H    0-3
1986-87   PRE   HODDESDON TOWN                      H    1-2
1987-88   EP    BRIMSDOWN ROVERS                    H    0-2
1988-89   EP    LONDON COLNEY                       A    0-6
1989-90   EP    LANGFORD                            A    3-1
          PRE   STOTFOLD                            A    0-1
1990-91   EP    MOUNT GRACE (POTTERS BAR)           A    2-3 (at Elliott Star FC)
1991-92   EP    RAYNERS LANE                        H    1-3
2009-10   1Q    TAKELEY                             H    SCR
2011-12   1Q    HOLYPORT                            H    2-1
          2Q    WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK                H    2-1
          1     BUCKINGHAM TOWN                     H    2-5
2012-13   2Q    HOLYPORT                            A    0-3
2013-14   1Q    LEVERSTOCK GREEN                    H    6-3
          2Q    TOWER HAMLETS                       H    0-4
2014-15   1Q    POTTON UNITED                       A    0-0
          1Qr   POTTON UNITED                       H    1-2
2015-16   2Q    EDGWARE TOWN                        A    0-6
2016-17   1Q    RUSHDEN & HIGHAM UNITED             H    6-4
          2Q    TRING ATHLETIC                      H    1-4
2017-18   1Q    LYDNEY TOWN                         A    2-4
2018-19   1Q    RUSHDEN & HIGHAM UNITED             A    5-4
          2Q    BEDFONT & FELTHAM                   A    0-2
2019-20   1Q    RUSHDEN & HIGHAM UNITED             H    7-1
          2Q    CRAWLEY GREEN SPORTS                A    0-4
2020-21   1Q    RISBOROUGH RANGERS                  H    0-3
2021-22   1Q    AMERSHAM TOWN                       A    3-2
          2Q    SHEFFORD TOWN & CAMPTON             H    2-3
2022-23   2Q    BROOK HOUSE                         A    0-2
2023-24   1Q    BURTON PARK WANDERERS               H    8-0
          2Q    COGENHOE UNITED                     A    1-5
2024-25   1Q    LONDON COLNEY                       A    1-0
          2Q    VIRGINIA WATER                      A    0-1
2025-26   1Q    NEW BRADWELL ST PETER               H    6-0

[Rhodes]

On 19/09/2025 at 14:36, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September (kick off 3.00pm unless stated)
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Rushden & Higham United v Ampthill Town

The match programme from Hayden Road tomorrow afternoon:

https://online.fliphtml5.com/oxuvb/zuiy/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM6VBJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBvcWZVYnBDRHlvVUpuaVVOAR49JwOzRDTAxRVXuzJO4fnuLeXgM1Kqz4YUndgElKd9XFg836KB6nuqXv0lgQ_aem_YmBCG-uyS8wx5RkAuTDBEQ#google_vignette

Edited September 25, 2025 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 19/09/2025 at 17:23, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September (kick off 3.00pm unless stated)
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Bedfont FC v Cranfield United

This will be an interesting tie won't it with Cranfield United having a great season thus far:

Edited September 22, 2025 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

All the, on the whole disappointing, Second Qualifying Round results involving SSML Club's:

Friday 19 September

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
AFC Welwyn 3 Kings Park Rangers 1
Langley 0 Desborough Town 0 (Desborough Town win 4-3 on pens)

Saturday 20 September 

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Abingdon United 2 Irchester United 3
Ardley United 3 Wellingborough Whitworth 2
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 1 London Samurai Rovers 3
Bedfont FC 4 Cranfield United 0
Biggleswade United 4 Hadleigh United 1
Brook House 1 Winslow United 4
Everett Rovers 1 Staines Lammas 1 (Staines Lammas win 4-2 on pens)
Harlow Town 2 Hullbridge Sports 2 (Hullbridge Sports win 3-0 on pens)
Haverhill Rovers 3 Arlesey Town 2
Little Oakley 2 Colney Heath 0
Long Melford 0 Cockfosters 4
Mulbarton Wanderers 1 Eaton Socon 3
Newport Pagnell Town 2 Kings Langley 1
Northampton Sileby Rangers 2 Crawley Green 2 (Northampton Sileby Rangers win 6-5 on pens)
N W London 2 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 2 (Letchworth Garden City win 4-2 on pens)
Potton United 1 Hutton FC 2
Rushden & Higham United 2 Ampthill Town 2 (Ampthill Town win 3-2 on pens)
Sawbridgeworth Town 0 Haringey Borough 0 (Haringey Borough win 6-5 on pens)
Shefford Town & Campton 1 Belstone 0
Virginia Water 2 Kempston Rovers 3
Whittlesey Athletic 5 Huntingdon Town 0

Edited September 22, 2025 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

13 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September 

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Long Melford 0 Cockfosters 4

A groundhopper from another Forum witnessed this good win for Cockfosters:

FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
Long Melford 0-4 Cockfosters
Attendance 49 h/c, Admission £7 including Free Programme
Visitors took the tie away from the hosts scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes, the first after just two minutes with George Beattie latching onto a through ball and beating the keeper with a low half volley. Visitors doubled their lead on 10 minutes when Kendall Gyamfi blasted the ball past the keeper from close range. Third goal was a penalty for a trip in the box with Beattie sending the keeper the wrong way to score his second. Credit to the hosts for still being competitive after this triple early setback and it wasn't until midway through the second half the visitors scored their fourth when sub Terry Offeh, who had only just come, on connected at the far post on the end of a bouncing cross from the right.
Nice set up all in the Club colours of black and white with an Atcost stand next to the clubhouse which has an elevated decking area under a covered overhang and there is a ramshackle cover behind the far end. Hedges on the far side containing many lost balls hidden inside separates the ground from the cricket club next door.

Edited September 20, 2025 by Rhodes

[Winslow Boy]

On 19/09/2025 at 15:40, Rhodes said:

Winslow Boy - That's right, here is Winslow United's full FA Vase record and it doesn't make very pleasant reading does it:

1982-83   PRE   WOODFORD TOWN                       H    1-0
          1     LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY              A    2-3
1983-84   PRE   WARE                                H    3-0
          1     ROYSTON TOWN                        H    1-1
          1r    ROYSTON TOWN                        A    4-3
          2     TIPTREE UNITED                      H    1-2
1984-85   PRE   BECKTON UNITED                      A    3-3
          PREr  BECKTON UNITED                      H    0-1
1985-86   PRE   BEACONSFIELD UNITED                 H    0-3
1986-87   PRE   HODDESDON TOWN                      H    1-2
1987-88   EP    BRIMSDOWN ROVERS                    H    0-2
1988-89   EP    LONDON COLNEY                       A    0-6
1989-90   EP    LANGFORD                            A    3-1
          PRE   STOTFOLD                            A    0-1
1990-91   EP    MOUNT GRACE (POTTERS BAR)           A    2-3 (at Elliott Star FC)
1991-92   EP    RAYNERS LANE                        H    1-3
2009-10   1Q    TAKELEY                             H    SCR
2011-12   1Q    HOLYPORT                            H    2-1
          2Q    WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK                H    2-1
          1     BUCKINGHAM TOWN                     H    2-5
2012-13   2Q    HOLYPORT                            A    0-3
2013-14   1Q    LEVERSTOCK GREEN                    H    6-3
          2Q    TOWER HAMLETS                       H    0-4
2014-15   1Q    POTTON UNITED                       A    0-0
          1Qr   POTTON UNITED                       H    1-2
2015-16   2Q    EDGWARE TOWN                        A    0-6
2016-17   1Q    RUSHDEN & HIGHAM UNITED             H    6-4
          2Q    TRING ATHLETIC                      H    1-4
2017-18   1Q    LYDNEY TOWN                         A    2-4
2018-19   1Q    RUSHDEN & HIGHAM UNITED             A    5-4
          2Q    BEDFONT & FELTHAM                   A    0-2
2019-20   1Q    RUSHDEN & HIGHAM UNITED             H    7-1
          2Q    CRAWLEY GREEN SPORTS                A    0-4
2020-21   1Q    RISBOROUGH RANGERS                  H    0-3
2021-22   1Q    AMERSHAM TOWN                       A    3-2
          2Q    SHEFFORD TOWN & CAMPTON             H    2-3
2022-23   2Q    BROOK HOUSE                         A    0-2
2023-24   1Q    BURTON PARK WANDERERS               H    8-0
          2Q    COGENHOE UNITED                     A    1-5
2024-25   1Q    LONDON COLNEY                       A    1-0
          2Q    VIRGINIA WATER                      A    0-1
2025-26   1Q    NEW BRADWELL ST PETER               H    6-0

No, very disappointing, a lot of underachievement in there given the quality of some of the sides over the years. There of course have been a lot of seasons of struggle too. In general in the cups we have just never done enough. County cup in particular. Decent win yesterday though, could’ve been 2-0 down early on, penalty saved in first few minutes. We missed our own penalty in the second half though. Hopefully get a decent home tie, feel like we get drawn away a lot. At home we will draw a good crowd. 

[Rhodes]

22 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September 

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Virginia Water 2 Kempston Rovers 3

A groundhopper from another Forum was at the late kick off yesterday having done 'a double':

On leaving Brook House the wait for a bus was quite acceptable and I made a spot decision to get off a couple of stops early and call at the Botwell Inn, for chicken melt and chips with a gently civilised Rebellion thrown in. Things then proceeded smoothly to the evening fixture of:
FA Vase 2nd Round Qualifying
Virginia Water 2 v 3 Kempston Rovers
Attendance 67
Officials: Ryan Hetherington, Pei Kew, Dylan Lees-Jones
The home side made a comfortable start, bar a habit of sending the ball high out of the ground with their shots, but a slack pass in midfield on 6 minutes gave the ball away and the visiting number 10 gave Kempston the lead. Two minutes later, a Virginia Water shot hit the bar and bounced down. It was amazing how many of those around me could declare with certainty that the ball had crossed the line - certainly I did not possess such brilliant ability, or maybe, like the officials, I was a neutral. The home side equalised through their number 11 on 10 minutes, through a good shot from the edge of the area. Thereafter the match turned into a comedy of errors. Interest was maintained by wondering whether the supply of balls would run out, as more and more disappeared into the darkness outside. The best feature though came in the form of a voluble Welsh supporter of Virginia Water, who felt the pain of every mistake his side made - and there was an endless supply of those! On 27 minutes, Mr Hetherington had a warning word with the visiting boss. On 28 minutes Kempston were ahead, courtesy of a long ball deftly headed by a defender over his keeper and into the net. Kempston's third came on 33 minutes, again through a header, though this time by one of their own players. There were cautions during the half for the home number 4 and the visiting number 3.
Another Kempston header found its way into the net early in the second half, but this time from an offside position. Kempston were not above making mistakes themselves - the keeper, having done the usual business of not picking the ball up until challenged, then threw it out for a corner, only narrowly passing the outside of the post. On 63 minutes Virginia Water were awarded a penalty. Chosen to take it was the mop-headed number 16, only recently on as a substitute. Up he ran and the ball flew way over the high netting behind the goal, not the last to finish there. Towards the end there were numerous substitutions, Kempston being allowed to make them when their man was nowhere near ready. A more bloody-minded referee would not have accepted this and rightly so. After one such, the number 7, making a leisurely way off, decided to stop and play with his socks - surely time for a yellow card, but sadly not. In added time the home number 2 did get a sight of the yellow card for an attack-stopper. His keeper then made a good save. On plus nine minutes, the home side did get their second. Play continued for a further two minutes,with the home keeper coming up for a corner. Sure enough the ball came to him ... and disappeared over the netting to join its colleagues in outer darkness.
The walk back down to the station seemed a little longer than even a month again, but after a short wait for a train, I was back in my room by 22.55.

[Rhodes]

On 19/09/2025 at 16:13, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September 

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Long Melford 0 Cockfosters 4

Another groundhopper from another Forum was at this tie:

Also at this one, decided to do this as it was a ground tick, gave an opportunity to do a 'lost railway walk' and also view the magnificent 15th Century stained glass windows, which miraculously escaped the ravages of both the Reformation and Civil War, in the Parish Church. Set out early in order to have sufficient time to cover all this arriving at Sudbury railway station at about 11.20 via Liverpool St & Marks Tey. The walk covers the trail of a rail line (a victim of the Beeching axe) that extended from Sudbury to Bury St Edmunds, via Lavenham. Now a public footpath that ends on the outskirts of Long Melford, where housing covers the remainder of the area where the track was located, although the old railway station survives, now converted into 2 houses. Enjoyed a pleasant, approx 3.5 miles, walk to Long Melford, passing AFC Sudbury's ground on the way, where a morning match was taking place. The ground appeared to have been extensively developed since my only previous visit for a Vase match some years ago.
On arrival at Long Melford, proceeded to the Church which was approximately a mile away, along the high street, up a steep hill at the final approach. The village's high street is relatively unspoilt and I noticed a number of the Cockfosters' players having a walk along the same street. Viewed the Church and was suitably impressed and then decided to make my way to the ground. On arrival paid the £4 concession entry, that included a free programme. The latter reminded me of the programmes that were generally the norm when I first started watching non league games in the 60s. Just containing basic information about the teams and a history of the visitors. To be honest that is all I really want from a programme and I wish those clubs that have resorted to on line only would adopt a similar approach. Inside the Clubhouse, in one of the corridors leading from the bar, there was an interesting display of Club memorabilia, some of which stretched back to the early part of the last century, including a number of team photos. One item that particularly caught my eye was a poster displaying caricatures of the 22 players who participated in the 1921 Suffolk Senior Cup Final when LM beat Bury Town 1-0.
So far as the match is concerned, I can add little to Cherryhopper's report save to say that, it it hadn't been for 2 decent saves by the LM keeper, Ben Moye, either side of half time, then the margin of victory would have been much heavier. Step 6 LM never really looked capable of pulling back the early lead achieved by their Step 5 opponents.
Caught a bus back to Sudbury after the game and knew that the chances of catching the 17.26 train at Sudbury were slim and, with it only being an hourly service, was resigned to a lengthy wait at Sudbury. Fortunately the bus arrived a couple of minutes early at LM and with a relatively uninterrupted journey back arrived at Sudbury Bus Station at about 17.22, thus with a hurried rush just manged to catch the 17.26 train, with about 90 secs to spare. Journeyed back to South London, via Marks Tey, Stratford and tube to North Greenwich. Caught a bus at the latter arriving home about 19.45. a tiring but enjoyable day out.

[Rhodes]

On 20/09/2025 at 22:30, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September 
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Abingdon United 2 Irchester United 3

A groundhopper from another Forum was at this fine win for Irchester United:

FA Vase - Abingdon United 2-3 Irchester United*
A rare trip out of Northamptonshire to follow the Romans on the road to Wembley.
Abingdon's ground is very tidy and well maintained. The pitch looked in fantastic condition so top marks to the ground staff. There is a smallish car park next door, we got there about 14:15 and took one of the few remaining spaces, otherwise it looks like street parking is your best option.
Abingdon were remembering a friend and team mate who tragically passed this time last year and a minutes silence and applause on the 24th minute were impeccable.
The people at Abingdon were very welcoming and it was good to see lots of youth players wearing the club colours.
Onto the game and Irchy started best, taking the lead after nine minutes, the stadium announcer said seven, which upset the chap next to me as he had nine minutes on the golden goal, when Lachi Coddrington intercepted a wayward pass from the keeper and slotted home.
Abingdon started to take control once they stopped trying to hit sixty yard wonder balls to their, admittedly quick and sharp wingers, and play the ball on the floor.
Approaching half-time and their dominance paid dividends as they scored two goals in quick succession, both the result of neat interplay around the back followed by sharp finishes.
We were glad to hear the ref's (the one in black not the Abingdon captain who had a comment on every decision) half-time whistle.
The second half started in a heavy shower and we saw mistakes start to become more frequent.
Both teams had no more than half chances until Lachi went on a mazy run down the left wing, pulled a ball back at what looked an awkward height to Lewis Fisher who sent a dipping volley into the net.
The game was won with about ten minutes to go when Cordell Othman came on as a sub, jogged straight over to where we lining up a free kick twenty yards out and lashed it straight into the top corner.
As you would expect the final minutes were a mixture of huffing and puffing attacks, desperate clearances, a post hit and an odd counter attack before the final whistle.
The second time in a week we have played step 5 opposition and not been beaten over ninety minutes.
*The above report contains very little effort to provide impartiality. #uptheirch

[Rhodes]

20 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Saturday 20 September 
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Bedfont FC 4 Cranfield United 0

Groundhopper and blogger Oliver Sims was in attendance at this tie, at the Orchard, to witness a disappointing defeat for Cranfield United against fellow Step 6 side Bedfont FC from the Combined Counties League Division One:

Edited September 22, 2025 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

The draw for the First Round proper of the FA Vase will take place tomorrow (Tuesday 23 September), it will include Tring Athletic and Harpenden Town, who enjoyed exemptions to the First Round proper stage, as well as the twelve SSML Club's who came through the weekend's Second Qualifying Round ties as follows, AFC Welwyn, Desborough Town, Irchester United, Biggleswade United, Winslow United, Cockfosters, Eaton Socon, Letchworth Garden City Eagles, Ampthill Town, Haringey Borough, Shefford Town & Campton and Kempston Rovers.

[Winslow Boy]

Coalville away it is. I would say that there probably wouldn’t have been many tougher draws than that. 

[Rhodes]

Winslow Boy - Yes, not easy but winnable against Step 6, United Counties League Division One, Coalville Town, see the full First Round proper draw:

[Winslow Boy]

Step 6 but you have to believe that having been a top step 3 side they are probably well below what they are set up for. I always look for Whitley Bay, I think of them as being ‘the’ vase team.