On a damp Saturday afternoon, The Town welcomed East Cowes Victoria Athletic for the First Round proper of the FA Vase. The pitch held up well despite the heavy rain during the previous few days. The FA Vase offers the chance to play in a final at Wembley and cash from playing in each round for the clubs, the winner of this game receiving £825, a lot of money for small non-league clubs. Warminster went on to win this game 3 – 2. 

The 133 in attendance were treated to a real cup tie with end to end action throughout the match. Warminster got off to a flying start when on 30 seconds Charlie Walton opened the scoring. James Vincent in the box pulled the ball back to Walton who fired across goal into the right-hand corner. The lead though was not to last long when just past the 3-minute mark The Vics equalised. A looping cross from their left from Joe Butcher into the penalty area wasn’t dealt with by the home team and tapped home by Brandon Haywood. 

Both sides created chances with the visitors decidedly having the better possession and passing in the first half. Just after the half-hour, The Vics went close producing a wonderful save from Nathan Ball whose performance granted him the title “Man of the match” by the team. Half-time 1 -1.

As is often the case at home, Warminster came out a different team in the second half. From the off, they set about scoring more goals. The ever-busy Walton got a shot way within the opening seconds. In the third minute of this half, a corner was met by Walton who planted the ball home into the back of the net with a fine header to the left-hand corner, leaving the keeper little chance of making a save.

Once again though both sides were creating chances, and Warminster’s third goal came in the 65th minute with great work from a break-away counter-attack. James Vincent ran down the right after collecting a long clearance ball. He took on the defender on the right edge of the box and passed to a waiting Jack Miluk for him to tap home. 10 minutes later Walton went close with fine solo work, forcing the keeper to produce an excellent save. 

A consolation goal came for The Vics in the 88th minute when Butcher, who had been dangerous throughout the game, danced through the defence on the edge of the box and made certain of his shot to make it 3 -2.

Team: Ball, Barnes, McFerran, Jeffrey, De-Silva*, Lisowski*, Miluk*, Walton, Vincent, Shanley, Butler

Subs (used*) Baggs*, Fletcher*, Chenery-Bowden, Curtis*