FA VASE 2000/2001

Fourth Round

Third Round

Second Round

Despite such strong representation in the 2nd round of the FA Vase, this round was to be the end of the road for 4 out of the 6 Kent teams left in the competition. Sadly Deal Town were not match for Tooting and Mitcham and were knocked out after a 2-0 home defeat. Ramsgate also lost by a similar scorline at home to Ashford Town (Mddsx) and so their ambitions to go one further than last season's quarter finals were ended for this year.

In the all Kent tie, Hythe came away with a 1-0 victory at Whitstable Town with a first half Bigginton goal separating the two sides. Greenwich despite their poor league form have done exceptionally well in this competition and nearly went further after taking their tie with Cove to a replay, but sadly, the London side were narrowly defeated 2-1. The final Kent side to bow out was Kent League table toppers Herne Bay who were well beaten by Horsham. But the highlight of the round was Thamesmead's excellent performance at Wokingham where they ran away 4-0 victors to reach the third round. Awaiting them in the next round is a home tie with Raunds Town who up until last season were competing in the Dr Marten's league. Kent other remaining side, Hythe Utd face either Berkhamsted or Leighton Town, both from the Ryman's.

First Round

After last years amazing success of Deal Town winning the FA Vase, it's now back to the start of the long road to Wembley again, could we see yet another Kent success? Well Ramsgate and Deal will already be at an advantage with byes into the second round, whilst Thamesmead enjoy a bye through to the first round, but all the others have to start from the Second Qualifying Round, with four Kent League sides having to start from the very bottom in the First Qualifying Round. It's also time to get out your Non-League directories to check out where some of these clubs play, although we'll try and give you a brief insight. Whitstable kick off with an away tie with Blackfield & Langley, currently based in the Hampshire League and who finished their season in third spot. Chatham face a visit to Brockenhurst who had a disappointing season last year in the Wessex League finishing third from bottom. However, Tunbridge Wells will be on familiar ground with the all Kent League tie against VCD Athletic.

Going into the Second Qualifying Round, and this year there are no derby matches, in fact should the three Kent clubs get through qualifying from the First Qualifying Round, only two out of the twelve will be home fixtures. From those two sides, Cray get a home tie against Sidley Utd who finished 6th in the Sussex County League last term, and should Whitstable make it through, they are the only other side with a home tie, pitched against Essex side Shoreham, who finished rock bottom of their league.

Those that are waiting to see where their away ties will be are Beckenham, Sheppey and Hythe, as well as Chatham, who know they face a trip to a Wessex League side, probably preferring to face Portsmouth RN who finished second from bottom last season as opposed to Moneyfields who finished 5th! Erith also face a side who finished poorly last season when they visit Rymans Div 3 side Dorking who last season completed the year third from bottom. Slade Green are also pitched against a side from the same league in the form of Abingdon Town who had a similarly disappointing season. Herne Bay must face Godalming and Guildford in their first round tie, a side who finished 7th in the Combined Counties League. The remaining fixtures see Greenwich travel to Milton Utd and Lordswood take on Oakwood.

(Deal, Ramsgate and Thamesmead have Byes)