FA Vase draws Ampthill Town and Cranfield United together at Anco Stadium

There is no bigger fixture in the Spartan South Midlands League this week than the one at Ampthill Park, where Ampthill Town, unbeaten and sitting top of the table, host Cranfield United in the FA Vase second qualifying round. Cranfield United previewed the game themselves, calling their opponents "in form and unbeaten" and urging supporters to "get down, you won't want to miss this one." The Cranes arrive in good heart too, having beaten Stotfold Reserves 4-0 in their last outing, with Jise Bankole taking the man of the match award for two goals and an assist.

Ampthill Town's form has been the story of the opening weeks. A 2-1 win at Woodford United, with goals from captain Phil Draycott and Jake Kissiedu, both created by James Lauder, made it six wins from six in the league, despite Danio Brown seeing a sin bin and Mitchell Howe having to produce three fine saves to preserve the lead. The club's own description, "what a start," needs little embellishment.

Several other Spartan South Midlands clubs are on the road in the FA Vase this weekend. Irchester United, unbeaten this season, have organised a supporters' coach for their tie, while Letchworth Garden City Eagles travel to Haverhill Rovers and are similarly offering spaces on a coach for the trip. New Bradwell St Peter welcome Moulton FC to their own ground in the second round qualifying tie, part of what the club described as a busy run of fixtures across the FA Vase, the B&B County Cup, the Gladwish Trophy and league action.

In the league, Buckingham's first team fell to an injury-time penalty defeat against Wellingborough Whitworth, though the club's Saturday A side continued their own unbeaten start with a 4-1 win over Mursley to make it three from three, and their Development side began their first season in the Spartan Reserve Division with a trip to Arlesey Town Development. Irchester United's reserves meanwhile beat Long Buckby Reserves 4-1, while their first team drew 2-2 with Badgers.

At Buckingham, the club also reported on the Tony Checkley Memorial Day, which raised £7,455.39 through sponsorship, donations and an auction, a figure the club said did not include additional JustGiving contributions.