FA VASE UPDATE - BIG REPLAY FOR COLNEY HEATH ON TUESDAY

The FA Vase Third Round games were played yesterday with a number of teams from the Essex Senior League and Spartan South Midlands League in action.

SSMFL Division One Welwyn Garden City had their biggest game in a number of years at Hadleigh United and despite narrowly losing by a scoreline of 3-2 after extra-time can hold their heads up high after running the Eastern Counties League Premier Division table toppers very close.

The top two of the Premier Division, Ampthill Town and Hanwell Town, are the only sides definitely through to the Third Round being South East Counties League sides Beckenham Town (2-1) and Lordswood (5-0) respectively. Three of Hanwell's five goals came from ex Enfield Town player Billy Healy who has hit the beck of the net a huge amount of times this season already.

Tring Athletic narrowly lost 1-0 at another SECL side in Ashford United.

There will be an exciting midweek replay for the football fans of Hertfordshire to watch when Colney Heath entertain Eastern Counties League side Brightlingsea Regent on Tuesday evening. Regent were 2-0 up at half but a tremendous fightback by Heath made the final score 2-2 AET.  

If your in the area it's the place to be on Tuesday night!

The big Essex Senior League Vase Derby between Great Wakering Rovers (top of the table before the game) and Hullbridge Sports (tenth) went the way of the underdogs. Sports recorded a memorable 0-1 victory in front of 142 people at Burroughs Park to qualify for the last 32 for the first time in their history.

The other ESL side left in the competition were Haringey Borough who entertained Eastern Counties League side Brantham Athletic. Borough were 2-0 up with only thirty minutes to go but a great comeback saw the away side winner's 2-3 after extra time in front of 69 people at Coles Park.

Elsewhere, Spalding United who are top of the United Counties League and were 5/1 third favourites to win the competition, have been removed after it was found a player was not eligible to play in the competition in a previous round. Details - here. Walsall Wood were reinstated into the competition but lost to Wisbech Town yesterday.

Vase favourites West Auckland Town edged through against Billingham Synthonia 2-1 at home and current holder's Spennymoor Town beat Bridlington Town 2-0 to get through to the last 32.

Also through are Wisbech Town (as above beat Walsall Wood), AFC Rushden and Diamonds, Dunston UTS (who won at Whitley Bay 0-2), Hanworth Villa (who won 0-1 at last season's finalist's Tunbridge Wells) and Eastbourne United amongst others.

The draw for the Fourth Round is made tomorrow.