Ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s eagerly anticipated FA Vase Second Round ties, we assess the form of our local sides opponents.
Cricklewood Wanderers, Broadbridge Heath and Erith Town are the opponents for Bracknell Town, Thatcham Town and Windsor respectively with £900 on offer to the winners of each tie and £300 for the defeated side. We’ve published the round by round prize fund here.
Odds are correct at the time of publication from Bet Victor. Looking for the full second round draw? It’s here.
Bracknell Town vs Cricklewood Wanderers
There’s little more we can add about Bracknell Town’s recent form when you consider the stat that says they’ve scored 24 goals in their last five games – including two 7-0 victories in a row in the Hellenic Premier League. Anything can happen in football but it’s unlikely seasoned FA Vase campaigners such as Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty will make too many changes for this fixture.
Cricklewood were reinstated after Cray Valley were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player in the first round and the Middlesex League side will need to hope they can frustrate the free scoring Robins early on if they are to make the most of their unexpected return to the competition.
STATS:
League: Bracknell (Hellenic Premier – Step 5), Cricklewood (Middlesex County Premier – Step 7)
Last five games: Bracknell: WWDWW Cricklewood: DWWDW
Odds: Bracknell (1/6), Draw (11/2), Cricklewood (8/1)
Your prediction?
⚽️ #FAVASE prediction: @bracknelltownfc vs @CricklewoodWFC on Saturday. How's it going to go?
Read our Second Round form guide 👉 https://t.co/6XkDcJb2rx
— Football in Berkshire (@fiberkshire) November 9, 2017
Related: All the odds to win the 2017/18 FA Vase
Thatcham Town vs Broadbridge Heath
Both sides are in step five leagues but you have to back Thatcham for this one. The Kingfishers are third in the Hellenic Premier while heath are 14th.
Star striker Shane Cooper-Clark is averaging a goal a game for the blues with 25 in 25 and has six strikes in the West Berkshire sides last three. Broadbridge have been scoring goals themselves with nine in their last three but Thatcham should have the muscle to get through, but probably the toughest to call of the three fixtures.
STATS:
League: Thatcham (Hellenic Premier – Step 5), Broadridge (Southern Combination Premier – Step 5)
Last five games: Thatcham: LDWWW Broadridge: WLWWW
Odds: Thatcham (2/7), Draw (4/1), Broadridge (6/1)
Your prediction?
⚽️ #FAVASE prediction: @Thatcham_TownFC vs @thebearsbbhfc on Saturday. How's it going to go?
Read our Second Round form guide 👉 https://t.co/6XkDcJb2rx
— Football in Berkshire (@fiberkshire) November 9, 2017
Related: How Berkshire sides have performed in the FA Vase
Erith Town vs Windsor (Sunday)
A long-ish away day around the southern half of the M25 on Sunday for Mick Woodham’s side who will be full of confidence having won their last eight games which includes two impressive wins over Hellenic Premier Division promotion chasers Flackwell Heath.
Windsor occupy eighth place in the Premier Division but cup progress means they have four games in hand over most sides while Erith are 17th of 20 in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division – though form over the last five games suggests they won’t be down there for too long.
STATS:
League: Erith (Southern Counties East Premier – Step 5), Windsor (Hellenic Premier – Step 5)
Last five games: Erith: WWWWD Windsor: WWWWW
Odds: Erith (5/4), Draw (7/2), Windsor (5/4)
Your prediction?
⚽️ #FAVASE prediction: @ErithTown vs @windsorfc on Sunday. How's it going to go?
Read our Second Round form guide 👉 https://t.co/6XkDcJb2rx
— Football in Berkshire (@fiberkshire) November 9, 2017
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Main image: Liam Ferdinand in the FA Vase against Buckingham Athletic by Neil Graham.
