VASE SHONE FROM RED STAR TO YELLAMEN

The 49th season of the FA Vase involved 586 clubs across Steps 5 and 6 of the Football Pyramid including ten clubs participating in the competition for the first time and the same number of former winners, amongst them the current holders, Newport Pagnell Town.

Seaham Red Star scored the first goal in this season’s FA Vase in their 4-1 victory over Redcar Athletic. Amazingly, Seaham Red Star also scored the first goal in this season’s FA Cup, also in a win against Redcar Athletic.

Among the stand-out stats from the 176 ties in the 1st Qualifying Round was the record equalling highest ever score draw in FA Vase history as Fawley FC and Wincanton Town shared 10 goals between them (Fawley won 3-1 on penalties).

Ten goals were also scored in the Godolphin Athletic versus Barnstaple town tie, but they were all scored by the visitors to record the biggest win of this season’s competition.

In the 2nd Qualifying Round Ascot United also netted ten times in their 10-1 victory over AEK Boco – the visitor’s first ever FA Vase match.

Corsham Town and Congleton Town made it all the way to the Semi-Finals for first time in their 22nd and 29th campaigns respectively.

Hartpury University and Horden Community Welfare were the last two debut clubs standing, both exiting in the Fourth Round whilst Brixham AFC became the last surviving Step Six club losing on penalties at Corsham Town in round five.

Penalties would be the theme of the remainder of the competition as all four Quarter Final ties and both

Semi-Final ties were settled in that manner.

Coming through those tight games were Newport Pagnell Town, looking to become first club to defend their Vase title since Whitley Bay completed a hat-trick of wins in 2011, and Ascot United who emulated Warrington Rylands by reaching the Final having started in the First Qualifying Round.