FA Vase weekend brings colour to the Hellenic League programme

The FA Vase dominates this weekend's fixture list across the Hellenic League, with several Division One clubs setting aside league business for a crack at the competition. Bewdley Town make the trip to face Telford Town in the Second Round Qualifying, kicking off at 3pm, having drawn 3-3 at Chipping Sodbury Town in their last league outing, with Ewan Carter scoring twice and Sam Hart also on target. Newent Town travel further afield to face AFC Aldermaston, with the club confirming a supporters' coach available at £20 return for those wanting to follow the Daffs on the road. Wantage Town have home advantage against Shortwood United at Alfredian Park, their first home game of the month, while Stonehouse Town host Cheltenham Saracens at The Lane, a fixture the home club have billed as a meeting of two good teams, with adults paying £7 on the gate.

Elsewhere in the division, Chipping Sodbury Town prepare to welcome Bromyard Town to The Ridings, a fixture the hosts note is separated by just two places in the table. Bromyard Town, promoted last season, have found the step up to Division One a challenge, and manager Jamie Wall has been candid about the reasons why. "It's obviously been a difficult start results-wise, and there's no point hiding away from that," he said, pointing to squad changes and inconsistent availability as factors behind the club's slow start. "The last two weeks have been really important for us. We've worked hard on the training ground on our shape, our fitness, being more compact and understanding exactly what we want from each other."

The club has strengthened in attack with the signing of Sam Judge, who arrives with experience at Hereford Lads Club, Worcester Raiders and Stourport Swifts, along with a spell at Step 6 with Newent Town last season. Wall described him as "sharp, quick" and someone who "gives us plenty of versatility in attacking areas", adding that he is "a great, honest, hard-working lad". September brings a demanding sequence for Bromyard Town, with three away fixtures at Chipping Sodbury Town, Newent Town and Studley bookending a single home game against Alcester Town.

At reserve and youth level, there was action too: Brimscombe & Thrupp's Under 17s won 5-0, while Alcester Town's women began their Midwest Counties campaign with a 3-0 win at Bredon AFC Ladies. Cheltenham Saracens, before their Vase trip to Stonehouse Town, took time to thank Spicy Aroma for hosting the first team squad for an evening away from the pitch.