It has been an amazing FA Vase campaign for Essex as three teams from the Essex Senior League remain! Let’s look at the sides still fighting for that final in Wembley!
Tilbury FC
The Dockers are equalling their best FA Vase run which was set 24 years (4 campaigns) ago. They qualified for the Fourth Round in dramatic fashion, as Igli Metalia netted the winning goal in a penalty shootout which sent Saffron Walden packing.
Tilbury now finds themselves with an away day against, Walsham-Le-Willows, and massive Tilbury fan, Aaron Mulqueen, is “absolutely buzzing” for their trip to Suffolk.
“There is nothing better than an away day with all the lads. The cup run Tilbury are on is amazing and to see the squad grow together has put a real sense of pride back into us fans.”
This season, a real asset for Marc Harrison’s side has been their rock-solid defence. A rotating centre-back trio of Jack Hayes, Jack McQueen, and Connor Martin is the third tightest defence away from home in all non-league, conceding just 0.38 goals per game.
Not to mention the men between the sticks. Christian North and Anthony Page have given the boss a headache regarding his team selection with both keepers impressing when given the starting place. Most recently, North was the star, making an all-important sudden death penalty save against Saffron Walden last Saturday.
Great Wakering Rovers
Great Wakering Rovers’ greatest FA Vase run saw them reach the quarter-finals where they were defeated by Potters Bar Town, but this season is the furthest they’ve come in the competition for 22 years.
Rovers sailed through the Third Round in a clash against Fakenham Town that resulted in a comfortable 3-0 victory courtesy of strikes from Callum Boylan, Harry Talbot, and Aiden Brown.
I spoke with Great Wakering Rovers super fan, Lewis Searle-Cook (Rovers Fans TV on YouTube), about their journey to Wales in Round Four.
“I’m very excited for our long round trip to Whitchurch, as we don’t get these opportunities to make a full day of the experiences. A fantastic Friday night out in Wales then onto the game on Saturday…
…A cup run is huge for the club as we hugely rely on gate money and cup runs to keep running throughout the year. We are only a small village and a small club so making the most of this cup run is huge to get our name out there. Why stop now? Let’s keep going and make it to Wembley!”
Romford FC
The Boro comfortably set aside Mildenhall Town in the Third Round, firing three past the visitors at Rookery Hill. Romford will also feel confident in their upcoming fixture where they host once again, welcoming Stanway Pegasus to their new home.
The Blues have put up an inconsistent run of form, winning three of their last five but suffering defeat at home against Hullbridge Sports and Athletic Newham. Despite this, they haven’t been short of goals, scoring 24 times in their last 10 matches.
Their opponents in the Fourth Round are step 6 side, Stanway Pegasus who play their football in the Thurlow Nunn First Division North. The Peg currently sits second in their league table and qualified for Round Four of the Vase defeating London Lions on penalties. Despite being in a lower division, Stanway will be up for the fight which sets up an exciting Round of 32 matchup.
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