While the clever money will be on Ridgeons League champions AFC Sudbury to lift the FA Vase, in partnership with Carlsberg, this season, Screwfix Direct Western League Premier Division side Frome Town may represent the greatest threat to their ambitions.
Frome have a testing trip to the North East against the gritty Albany Northern League Division One side Jarrow Roofing Bolden CA in the Sixth Round on Saturday, but they are currently flushed with confidence, bringing outstanding league form into the clash.
Frome’s 3-1 win over Torrington at the weekend was their nineteenth from twenty-four league starts this term – and enough to lift them within a point of Bideford with two games in hand at the top of the Western League Premier Division.
They are unbeaten since December 27th, when they went down 2-1 at Bridgwater Town. Their only other defeat since August came at Keynsham Town.
A key figure has been striker Mark Salter, an insurance agent who has bagged 31 goals in all competitions. Salter returned at the start of the season after a six-month spell at Southend.
"No match is easy at this stage of a competition," said secretary Ian Pearce.
"We like to play – keeping the ball on the ground and passing it about. I suspect Jarrow will be out to stop us."
Pearce said they’d had reports on Jarrow’s recent matches and were prepared for a tough battle.
"I doubt it will be an easy surface to play on and they’re sure to be a strong, physical side," he said.
The Roofers are struggling at the foot of Northern League with just eight wins from twenty-eight starts, but they showed spirit to knock Tipton Town out of the Vase in the last round, winning a replay on penalties.
Frome, who are on their best ever run in the competition by some distance, agree they could have had a tougher draw.
None of the remaining six teams in the Vase lies below fifth in their league – and those that do, AFC Newbury and Stourbridge, have games in hand on their rivals.
"We’d obviously have preferred a home tie, but we have at least avoided AFC Sudbury and Bedlington Terriers," said Pearce.
No team can match AFC Sudbury’s record of 23 wins and five draws from 28 games this season but Didcot Town top their league - the GLS Football Hellenic Premier - despite a 2-0 home defeat to Highworth Town on Saturday.
They host Bury Town, who are second behind Sudbury in the Ridgeons Premier.
AFC Sudbury host Travel Factory Midland Alliance outfit Stourbridge, who may be concerned with a defence that has leaked 35 goals this season. Sudbury’s biggest enemy may be complacency – this clash is a clear home banker – but manager Gary Harvey has a reputation for being meticulous in his preparations for every game and will be leaving nothing to chance.
Northern League Bedlington Terriers were rewarded for their fine 3-0 win at Enfield in the last round with a home tie against improving AFC Newbury, who are now mounting a strong challenge for the Sydenhams Wessex League title.
With seven defeats in the league this season, Bedlington have reserved their best form for the FA Vase and Newbury can expect to have their hands full.
This season’s final, due to be played on Sunday, May 15th, will be held at Tottenham Hotspur, with the FA Vase set to return to its ‘spiritual home’ of Wembley in 2006.
