EP are up for FA Vase run

Liam Baitup’s solitary 39th-minute strike – his 15th goal of the season – sent EP through to the second round with a 1-0 triumph away at Combined Counties League side Farnham Town on Saturday.

EP will now travel to Knaphill in the second round on November 19 after they beat Dorking 2-1 in a replay on Tuesday night after Saturday’s clash between the two had finished 2-2 after extra time.

Di Paola, although quick to point out that the league is still his side’s priority, feels it is a competition County League side’s can do well in – highlighted by Rye United’s excellent recent runs – as the teams they face are of very similar standard.

He said: “The FA Vase is a competition which is very much for teams that are up for it on the day. Too many County League sides see it as a day out and just a cup competition

“It’s a good competition as apart from the northern sides, all the teams are on much the same level.

“You have got to approach it in the right way and not bottle it on the day. It’s not like the FA Cup where County League sides never do that well.

“It a tournament you can be realistic about doing well in – although I am not saying we are going to go and win it or anything.

“I have never done anything in this cup so I would love to make it through a couple of rounds. I think I’ve made it through the first round once and got knocked out by Pagham, we have always had injuries or unavailabilities as a problem.

“Rye always seem to do well in it, I don’t see us as much of a cup team, but we’ll see how the next round goes.”

Full match report and reaction in this week’s paper.