FA Vase matches mark return to action

Local football returns on Saturday – and does so in the form of FA Vase ties for three of our local sides.

Football at non-league steps three and below was banned in the national lockdown that ended on Wednesday.

Now it’s all systems go for teams at Southern Combination League level – and that means AFC Uckfield, Newhaven and Saltdean can get back on the FA Vase trail.

All three have reached the second round and are at home tomorrow.

AFC Uckfield host Guildford City, Newhaven are at home to Binfield and Saltdean entertain Deal Town.

There’s £900 prize money up for grabs for winners in the second round, not to mention a place in the last 64 of the competition, which ends in a Wembley final.

After the Vase ties are out of the way, our local SCFL teams will resume their league campaigns after Southern Combination clubs voted 41-9 in favour of an immediate resumption of fixtures.

There’s a bit of catching-up to do after a month and that is likely to mean plenty of midweek fixtures – starting on Tuesday, when all three of the teams in weekend Vase action have away games in the SCFL premier.

Saltdean, who lead the table after an impressive start, visit Horsham YMCA.

AFC Uckfield (fifth) make the short trip to Peacehaven and Telscombe, while Newhaven (fourth) go to Lingfield.

Meanwhile four other Sussex clubs – Lancing, Littlehampton, Steyning and Worthing United – are also still in the Vase