The FA Vase has become fertile ground for Berkshire sides in the last few years. Dare I say it a trip to Wembley has become part and parcel of the game ‘round these parts.
Football though as we know is cyclical. As a young non-league fan, heading to Wembley following my own side, let alone another from the same county was a pipe dream.
Now it’s an occupational hazard.
But are we in the midst of the cycle, or at the end of it?
One man who’s enthusiasm would suggest the former is Holyport boss Sam Lock, his side host Jersey Bulls at Summerleaze at 12:45.
Lock said: “100% we can do it again – match last season’s Third Round effort. I celebrated the draw, we want to play the best teams – like Jersey Bulls – we don’t want teams in and around us because we do that every week.
“This is a great opportunity to stretch ourselves and test ourselves. But we’re not playing for the event, we’re playing to win and get into the Third Round.”
Related: I want to see these boys progress
He reflected on what has propelled his side in cup competitions in recent seasons with memorable wins over recent Vase finalists Ascot United and Binfield: “We were difficult to beat last year. Our players are young, they get up for the big tests. Its motivation for them. This week we should have beaten Flackwell Heat – we drew – but they are the sort of games I’m talking about.
“We have this ‘little old Holyport’ tag. People like us, want us to do well, but we can get a result on Saturday and frankly, the confidence from it would transform our season. We’ve performed well every game this season, it’s not always fallen for us but we want another great away day in this competition.”
I couldn’t not ask Sam about his cup final suit – obviously already knowing his response: “No not yet, it’s a long way to go in this competition but we’re in a great position. We’ll leave it all out there.”
Berkshire sides in FA Vase Second Round action:
- Holyport vs Jersey Bulls
- Burnham vs Glebe
- Cobham vs Eversley & California
- Egham Town vs Woodley United
A full list of weekend fixtures on Saturday and Sunday is now available on the Football in Berkshire website.
