SATURDAY’S HEADLINES
Milton Keynes Irish FC and North Greenford United continue to re-write the record books as both clubs reach the FA Vase Third Round for the first time in their history. Colney Heath equal their best run in the FA Vase by reaching the Third Round. The weekend brought about 26 goals from the 6 games (an average of 4.33 per game).
Saturday Stats: 6 games played of which 3 were home wins, 1 away win and 2 draws.
100% league record to date: Pitstone & Ivinghoe.
Saturday’s Highest Attendance: 141 North Greenford United v Walsham Le Willows.
Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Premier Division Clubs): 320 Leighton Town v Leiston (FA Cup), 320 Leighton Town v Biggleswade United and 315 Leighton Town v Leverstock Green.
Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division One Clubs): 315 New Salamis v West Essex (FA Cup), 285 Winslow United v Newport Pagnell Town (FA Cup) and 280 Ampthill Town v Walthamstow (FA Vase).
Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division Two Clubs): 109 Codicote v Berkhamsted Comrades, 103 Codicote v New Bradwell St Peter and 92 Codicote v Pitstone & Ivinghoe.
Saturday 5th December
THE BUILDBASE FA VASE First Round
Lightning failed to strike twice for Edgware Town, the London club made the trip to Worthing United for the second time after their first meeting in October was declared null and void after an administration error, the tie replayed as ordered by the Football Association produced a totally different outcome this time around. The ‘Wares’ fielded a very young side having seen the departure if several players and the new signings unable to play having been signed after the first meeting. The Sussex based hosts took full advantage to record a 3-1 win to book a local ‘derby’ at home to Lancing in the next round. Full results and goalscorers are listed below.
3-1 Worthing United v Edgware Town (Thurgar, Patching, Butler) / (Uribarri) Attendance 116
THE BUILDBASE FA VASE Second Round
Four of the five Second Round ties saw SSML clubs taking on Thurlow Nunn League opponents with the SSML coming out on top in three of the four games. The pick of the bunch saw Step 6 Milton Keynes Irish FC, making their debut in the FA Vase this season, travel to Step 5 and current leaders in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division Wroxham. The hosts fielded two ex-professionals in their side, Grant Holt (who lists Norwich City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa amongst his many clubs) and Simon Lappin (former Scottish international at U19/U20 and U21 and boasts among his former clubs St Mirren, Norwich City and St Johnstone). However a tremendous performance by the SSML side saw them book their place in Monday’s draw following a penalty shoot-out after the hosts had levelled in the dying minutes. Another giant-killing took place at Stanway Rovers where once again the tie went to penalties with Ampthill Town progressing 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The third SSML victory came at North Greenford United where after a lengthy delay due to a serious injury to one of the visiting Walsham Le Willows players the London side won by the odd goal in three. The solitary Thurlow Nunn League success saw Stowmarket Town thumping Eynesbury Rovers by five goals to nil. The days other Second Round tie saw Colney Heath travelled to Essex Senior League side Ilford and returned home triumphant following a 4-2 success to leave five SSML sides in the hat for Monday’s draw (Leighton Town being the other after they received a walkover). Full results and goalscorers (where known) are listed below.
2-4 Ilford v Colney Heath (Lewis-Kirwan, Ishanzadeh) / (Woods [2], Shepherd, Standen) Attendance Unknown
2-1 North Greenford United v Walsham Le Willows (Simpson [2]) / (Nicholls) Attendance 141
1-1 [2-4 pens] Stanway Rovers v Ampthill Town (Nydam) / (Cerminara) Attendance 124
5-0 Stowmarket Town v Eynesbury Rovers (Ainsley, Dunbar, Lambe, Mayhew [pen], Read) Attendance 176
3-3 [3-4 pens] Wroxham v Milton Keynes Irish FC (Holt, Lappin, Cooper [pen]) / (G Shrieves, Clarkson, Spence (pen)) Attendance 223
AND FINALLY
Don’t forget that every Sunday afternoon the Non-League Show on Three Counties Radio (Herts, Beds & Bucks), a show all about local non-league football. The popular show presented by Ollie Bayliss has been increased to two hours each week and moves to a new day and time, every Sunday afternoon from 2.00pm – 4.00pm and is the perfect opportunity to catch up with our local non-league scene at all levels.
Ollie will be featuring MK Irish, Colney Heath, Risborough Rangers, Barton Rovers, Ware & Boreham Wood.