Vase runs and Welwyn's upheaval mark a heavy week at Step 5

Spartan South Midlands League clubs enjoyed a productive week in the FA Vase as several sides secured spots in the first round proper. Risborough Rangers were the most emphatic, thrashing Northampton Sileby Rangers 6-1 at the CMG Stadium, Josh Williams helping himself to a second-half hat-trick after Niko Muir, Jack Hutchinson and Rio Connell had already put the game beyond the visitors. Tring Athletic were similarly ruthless away at Wellingborough Whitworth, going 4-0 up by half-time through Sheps, Jack (twice) and Frankie before seeing out a comfortable win the club hailed as an important step in a prestigious competition. George's fourth-minute chance, and the goalkeeper's saves that followed, could not prevent a first-half rout.

Baldock Town also progressed with a 4-0 win over Cornard United, Emmanuel Kusi taking the Man of the Match award, while Colney Heath beat Basildon Town 3-0 to reach the first round proper for the first time in six years, and have since been drawn away to Stowmarket Town. Kings Langley recorded their biggest FA Vase victory to date with a 4-0 win over Bugbrooke St Michaels, captain Kieran Turner scoring and later collecting Man of the Match, and now travel to Horsham in Sussex. Biggleswade United won 4-1 away at Great Wakering, with two goals from Smyth and further strikes from Reynolds and Bennett, while Wormley Rovers beat Potton United 2-0, Matty Thomson marking his debut with the winning goal before Shaq added a second, Thomson having signed only in the days before.

Amid all the cup progress, AFC Welwyn had a difficult week off the pitch. The club confirmed that first-team manager Scott Patmore had resigned, with assistant Myles Anderson taking charge on an interim basis. The owners addressed supporter concern directly, acknowledging that from the outside there had been a lot of change recently but insisting there remained people working hard behind the scenes. Anderson's first match in interim charge ended in a 3-0 defeat at Cockfosters, but he oversaw a first win days later, 2-1 away at Sawbridgeworth Town, courtesy of goals from Samuel Adetiba and Courtney Massay. Anderson praised his players' mentality after what he called a challenging few days for everyone at the club.

Elsewhere in the league, Enfield won 5-2 at Sawbridgeworth Town, courtesy of a Thompson brace alongside efforts from Vukaj, Stokoe and Olivierre, while in the FA Vase, Harlow Town fell 3-2 to May & Baker despite a Player of the Match display from Ruben Santos.