FA Vase weekend shapes the Eastern Counties League

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division sides endured mixed fortunes in the FA Vase second round qualifying. Ely City edged past Harleston Town 2-1 at the Demcom Stadium, goals from Sam Townshend and Alfie Rogers enough to see the Robins through despite a battling display from the visitors. George Barber was named man of the match for Harleston Town despite the defeat, scoring with a header and proving a threat throughout, though manager Adam Gusterson was left to reflect on the cup exit as Ely progressed to the next round. The tie followed a testing week for Ely City, who had needed a stoppage-time flurry to see off Dereham Town 4-3 in the league, Stephen Pereira and Sam Townshend twice among the scorers in what the club described as a less flattering victory than the scoreline suggested.

Wisbech Town eased past Huntingdon Town 5-0, Leo Seales collecting the supporters' club man of the match award. Haverhill Rovers saw off Letchworth Garden City Eagles 2-1 at The New Croft, goals from Tom Newman and Jarid Robson setting up a home tie with Great Yarmouth Town next. Not every Eastern Counties side progressed: Soham Town Rangers' run ended in a 2-1 defeat to Norwich United, while Thetford Town fell 1-0 away to St Neots Town.

In the league, Great Yarmouth Town made it two wins from two with a 5-0 victory over Heacham, two goals apiece from the Spooners either side of a strike from Jackson ahead of their Norfolk Senior Cup tie against Thetford Town. March Town United beat Mildenhall Town 1-0, a result Mildenhall Town joint manager Ben Mayhew put down partly to what he called dodgy offside decisions handled well by his players. Dereham Town were held goalless by Lakenheath in a game the club felt turned on a penalty decision that went against them.

Stowmarket Town continued a mixed week, beating FC Parson Drove 2-0 with Reece Langridge picking up the man of the match award, having earlier won 2-1 away to Brantham Athletic. Brantham Athletic themselves suffered a heavy 0-7 FA Cup defeat to Waltham Abbey before falling to a 0-4 FA Vase loss against Hadleigh United in front of 135 supporters. Walsham Le Willows recorded a 2-0 win over Dussindale, with George Bugg among the goals and Matt Collins picking up the sponsored man of the match award.