Are you a Tadley Believer? Think Windsor & Eton Can’t Be Beaten or just feeling the Burnham Love?
It’s FA Vase Second Round weekend and there remains some solid interest in the Road to Wembley for Berkshire non-league watchers.
Arguably the toughest FA competition out there, there are no free hits in the FA Vase. You play teams in and around you with a genuine chance of gracing Wembley Stadium and following in the footsteps of Thatcham Town, Binfield and Ascot United.
Yes the FA Cup gets the fanfare, but is a Step 6 side really likely to beat a Step 3 side? Reach the First Round Proper? That’s far enough pal. Just ask Maidenhead United fans.
The FA Trophy though? The majority of Step 3 and 4 teams are out by the time it gets interesting and the Vanarama National League sides really don’t care until they accidentally walk out beneath the arch.
Related: Tadley Calleva look the real deal as they ride FA Vase wave
The Vase is where it’s at. And for Burnham, Tadley and Windsor, a real honest opportunity to reach a famous Final that leaves your town or village like a scene from 28 Days Later without the double-decker bus on its side.
Burnham have some serious history in the competition, quarter finalists in 77/78 and semi-finalists in 82/3, Tadley’s best performance was a Third Round replay defeat to Newport Isle of Wight in 15/16 while this is the modern version of Windsor & Eton FC‘s first season in the competition.
2024/25 FA Vase Second Round draw for Berkshire:
- Burnham vs Cobham
- Tadley Calleva vs Bridgwater United
- Windsor & Eton vs Hilltop
Tadley will arguably go in as favourites at home to Bridgwater United. The Western League Premier Division side are mid-table, below Ivybridge Town who the Romans dispatched in the First Round – albeit not without an early scare.
Cobham will perhaps fancy their chances at Burnham based on league position, but the blues boast Jabir Laraba – one of the Combined Counties League North and South Premier Division’s top scorers.
Windsor & Eton have it toughest, and despite the earlier rhyme, were defeated for the first time in 19 games (they won all 19) on Tuesday night at Eversley & California. However the smart money would be a on Step 6 v Step 5 upset and the Stag Meadow faithful roaring the Royalists on. Plus the visitors will be smarting from a 5-1 defeat last time out.
When to expect the 2024/25 FA Vase Third Round draw
As with the early rounds of the FA Vase draw, you can expect a release on the Monday following the matches at around 1pm. For the Third Round draw that will be Monday 11th November 2024.
Third Round ties are due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 7th December 2024. There are no further exemptions to come in to the competition this season so the FA Vase Third Round will be the last 32 teams left in the knockouts.
