FA Vase weekend shapes the Combined Counties story

The FA Vase dominated the Combined Counties League schedule this week, but Burnham carried their cup form back into league action. Having already knocked Holyport out on penalties in midweek, winning 5-4 from the spot after a 1-1 draw in the Berks & Bucks County Senior Cup, Burnham followed up by beating North Greenford United 3-1 in the league, Jabir Laraba and Jordan Antonio Brown (including a penalty) on target. North Greenford, sitting fourth, had led the way for spells in both halves but could not convert their chances, and remain in the promotion mix despite the defeat. Burnham's reward for their cup exploits is a Vase First Round Proper tie at home to Harefield United, who had already accounted for North Leigh 4-0, Max McLeish picking up the player of the match award.

Goals flowed heavily across the rest of the Vase ties. Epsom & Ewell were beaten 7-2 by Bearsted, with Courtney Swaby and Blessing Hombessa on target for the Salts before the game slipped away in the second half, Toby Young sent off and O'Keefe sin-binned. Chipstead went the other way, winning 5-2 away at Seaford Town to set up a trip to Lingfield. Ardley United needed penalties to see off Wallingford & Crowmarsh, winning 6-5 after a 1-1 draw, and now travel to Staveley Miners Welfare in Chesterfield. Sutton Common Rovers progressed comfortably, beating Reigate Priory 4-0, while Northwood won 3-1 against Maidenhead Town and were handed a first-time meeting with Midhurst & Easebourne in the next round.

Several other Combined Counties sides were eliminated. Camberley Town lost 1-0 to Cove, Abbey Rangers exited on penalties away at Hassocks, Badshot Lea were beaten 3-1 at Bridport in front of 170, Knaphill fell to a second-half goal from Lingfield in front of 119, and Godalming Town were beaten 4-0 by Chislehurst Glebe. Yateley United also confirmed their exit from the competition.

Away from the Vase, Broadfields United beat Wokingham Town 3-0 at Tithe Farm, with Jordan Grey named man of the match, while Corinthian-Casuals continued to strengthen their squad, with Toby Nelson, James McElligott and Ousmane Balde Dansoko among those to arrive, and Brian Adamson confirming planning permission for a new 4G training pitch and padel courts at the Armada Group Stadium.