FA Trophy and FA Vase crunch time for four Berkshire clubs

The FA Trophy and FA Vase competitions are front and centre at the weekend with three Berkshire sides in the former and one in the latter.

Ascot United travel to Buckland Athletic in the Fourth Round of the FA Vase while in the FA Trophy Fourth Round Bracknell Town host Bath City, Maidenhead United visit Dagenham & Redbridge and Hungerford Town are at home to Tamworth.

Update: Please be aware Ascot United’s match has been postponed.

Bracknell Town vs Bath City – FA Trophy

Another scalp on offer for Bracknell Town who’ve made a habit of beating National League sides this season with Tonbridge Angels, Eastbourne Borough and Banbury United all falling to the ferocious Robins who will be without cup-tied striker Ben Harris.

This run will almost certainly not be lost on promotion-chasing Vanarama National League South Bath who will want to avoid a potential banana skin.

Dagenham & Redbridge vs Maidenhead United – FA Trophy

Without looking, I have it in my mind that Maidenhead United have a terrible record in games against Dagenham & Redbridge (two defeats this season at least), especially away. This all-National League tie is a real opportunity for both sides with the Magpies having a few results go against them in recent weeks.

Hungerford Town vs Tamworth – FA Trophy

The Crusaders may just be underdogs going into this game as the Vanarama National League South’s bottom side against the Step 3 Southern League Premier Central Division leaders Tamworth but boss Danny Robinson is a wily cup coach and has the trophies to match. Don’t write them off.

Buckland Athletic vs Ascot United – FA Vase

The Yellas carry Berkshire’s hopes for another Wembley visit in the FA Vase. It’s a long away day for Jamie Tompkins Combined Counties League Premier leaders to Devon but they have reinforcements in McKoy Palmer and Marcus Mealing will certainly feel the hype after winning Football in Berkshire’s prestigious Goal of the Month award. Ascot should be favourites against the Western League Premier Division’s fifth-placed side.

A full list of weekend fixtures is here.

Will all four sides progress? Let us know your picks in the comments below.