Wembley dreams? Maybe not yet but Bexhill and Little Common want FA Vase glory

Wembley might be a long way off for Bexhill United and Little Common – but it will surely be in their thoughts tomorrow.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Both clubs throw themselves into second-round ties in the FA Vase dreaming of the sort of run that took fellow Sussex side Littlehampton to HQ last May. Winners at this stage earn £900 and a spot in the last 64.

Bexhill have a big home tie – they welcome Eastbourne Town to The Polegrove, having reached round two courtesy of a come-from-behind 2-1 win in Hampshire in the first round.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Little Common travel to Oxfordshire for their tie – facing Wallingford and Crowmarsh.

Little Common score at Crowborough - where they lost 6-4 - in midweek, and they're on the road again this weekend in the FA Vase | Picture: Joe KnightLittle Common score at Crowborough - where they lost 6-4 - in midweek, and they're on the road again this weekend in the FA Vase | Picture: Joe Knight
Little Common score at Crowborough - where they lost 6-4 - in midweek, and they're on the road again this weekend in the FA Vase | Picture: Joe Knight

Bexhill boss Ryan Light said: “After the heroics in Hampshire in the previous round against a much-fancied Horndean side, we are now looking forward to a home tie on Saturday against a team we know all about.

“Eastbourne Town will be the visitors and they come into the game in good form having picked up a few good results of late.

"Both teams like to attack so I’m sure it’s going to be a really entertaining afternoon at The Polegrove.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s probably a bit early to start dreaming of Wembley just yet but the winners of this tie will progress into the last 64 of a national competition, which would be a huge achievement.

Bexhill celebrate their win at Horndean in the last round | Picture: Joe KnightBexhill celebrate their win at Horndean in the last round | Picture: Joe Knight
Bexhill celebrate their win at Horndean in the last round | Picture: Joe Knight

“We should have everyone available and be pretty much back to full strength after a plethora of suspensions and injuries hit the squad last Saturday.”

Little Common boss Russell Eldridge said of their hosts: “They play at the same step as us in the Combined Counties North. It's a tie we're looking forward to and we have prepared as best we can for the game.

"We know a bit about them and how they play but it's about how we apply ourselves on the day. If we perform to the level, we can, we'll have a good chance of progressing. It's nice to be facing a team from a different league and area.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Common lost 6-4 in an SCFL premier thriller at Crowborough on Tuesday night but Eldridge said: “We're generally in good form, and there are no changes in the squad in terms of injuries and suspensions.

"We have players in good form and we'll be looking to them to continue that as well the experienced ones in the group.”