FA CARLSBERG VASE THIRD ROUND DRAW: Kent League rivals' face each other for a place in the last 32

There will be at least one Kent League club through to the national stage of The FA Carlsberg Vase this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

VCD Athletic will welcome Tunbridge Wells to Oakwood for a Third Round tie, whilst Kent League leaders Herne Bay will travel to Hanworth Villa on 3 December.

Herne Bay reached the Fourth Round (the last sixteen) last season but they were defeated 2-1 by eventual winners Whitley Bay at Winch’s Field.

Secretary, John Bathurst, said: “Not too disappointed, would have preferred to be at home.”

He added: “We went to watch Hanworth Villa last year as they were playing Camberley, our opponents in last year’s Vase, but the game was called off when we arrived.”

Herne Bay played four FA Vase ties last season with three of them being played on home soil, and they will travel to Hanworth Villa, a side that disposed of Deal Town on Saturday, in their second tie in this season’s competition.

Hanworth Villa, who are based in west London and play at the modest Rectory Meadow, dubbed “The Theatre of Nightmares”, have won all of their seven games at home in the top-flight of the Combined Counties League, but they are only in sixth place in the table, ten points adrift of leaders Guildford City.

For photographs of Hanworth Villa’s ground, visit:

http://hoppysnaps.blogspot.com/2010/12/hanworth-villa.html

Both VCD Athletic and Tunbridge Wells are disappointed that they have been paired.

Ricky Bennett’s Vickers’ have defeated Kent League opposition in Lordswood and Wessex League outfit Blackfield & Langley to reach this stage, whilst Tunbridge Wells have progressed past Erith & Belvedere, Mile Oak, Seaford Town and Chichester City.
The Wells seek to equal its best ever run in the competition of reaching the Fourth Round (and national stage), which was last achieved in season 1992/93.

Tunbridge Wells secretary, Phil Allcorn, said: “Obviously disappointed to have drawn a fellow Kent Premier League side at this stage of the competition but we shall take heart that we have an excellent away record to VCD having in fact won on our last three visits there.”

VCD Athletic chairman, Gary Rump, added: “Would have preferred to have drawn a non-Kent League team.  However, we have to take what we are given.  I’m sure it will be a good game with both teams wanting to progress to the Fourth Round.  We look forward to playing them.”

To view the full draw, visit:
www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAVase/Fixtures