FA Vase run of the mill: cup week defines the Midland League

Whitchurch Alport provided the standout tie of the Midland Football League's FA Vase action, who came from two goals down to beat A F C Wolverhampton City on penalties, with Jack Howse's equaliser and Ollie Holden's opener doing the damage before the shootout went their way. The reward for Jayson Starkey's side is a first-round tie at home to Abbey Hulton United, who themselves progressed with a 2-0 win over Pershore Town, new signing Ethan Vale involved from the off. That draw sends Abbey Hulton United back to the Whitchurch Alport ground on 10 October, an all-Midland League pairing repeated elsewhere in the draw.

Elsewhere in the second qualifying round, Dudley Town saw their run ended at Sutton United, beaten 3-0 through goals from Tom Massey, Lewis Hayden and a Joe Gildea penalty after Joseph Afful had won it. Manager Nathan Lamey made a flurry of changes across the game, handing debuts to Jeremiah Brookes and Eli Enyan, but the Robins could not find a way back after Massey's opener just before the break. Sutton United now travel to Irchester United in the first round proper, a tie confirmed this week, having earlier beaten Wednesfield Community and, this time out, Dudley Town in what was a busy Coleshill Road afternoon in front of the Green Army.

Northwich Victoria also advanced, beating Darwen 3-2 away from home after twice seeing their lead cancelled out, with debutant Lucas Edwards scoring the winner, having signed on dual-registration only that week alongside Sean Higgins. They now await Retford United at home in the first round proper. Cheadle Town were at Runcorn Town in the same round and have since learned their first-round opponents will be Whickham, a tie for 10 October at the Ground Up Solutions Stadium.

Elsewhere in the competition, several local sides bowed out. Wythenshawe Town went out 4-1 at Ericstan Park, while Uttoxeter Town lost to a strong Atherstone side despite a determined display, and Stockport Georgians hosted Staveley Miners Welfare looking to reach the first round proper for the first time since 2023. In league business, West Didsbury & Chorlton were beaten 3-0 at home by leaders Winsford United in front of 1,002 at Brookburn Road, a result that leaves the top of the table looking increasingly like Winsford's to lose.