Dorset well represented in FA Vase Round 1

The Isuzu FA Vase starts tomorrow afternoon, with five Dorset sides entering the first round.

The competition featuring sides from both Step 5 and Step 6 of English non-league football has returned for the 2025/26 edition, with around 600 teams across the country attempting their luck this campaign with Wembley awaiting the finalists.

From Dorset, five sides enter the first round proper – three from Step 5 and two from Step 6.

 

The first out the hat was Sturminster Newton United. The only side to play in the Western Football League as opposed to the Wessex Football League.

Sturminster Newton were drawn away to Okehampton Argyle, a side who reside in neighbouring county Devon.

‘The Cherries’ should have a sense of confidence despite being the side in the lower tier as Okehampton Argyle currently find themselves in the relegation zone of Step 5 whilst Sturminster Newton sit in the playoffs of Step 6.

Okehampton Argyle are also without a regulation time win for five games.

 

The only other Step 6 side in the competition, Hamworthy United, are against a very local rival. That being fellow Dorset team Sherborne Town from the step above.

In what is just a 72 mile round trip for Hamworthy United, the away side will find themselves with quite an uphill battle.

Whilst ‘The Hammers’ are coming off the back of a huge 7-1 win, making it five wins in six, Sherborne Town are high flying having not lost in six, winning 6-1 and 4-1 recently and sitting third in the Wessex Premier Division.

It’ll be a tough task for Hamworthy United, especially being the away side.

 

Fellow Hamworthy, Hamworthy Recreation, will face the long, long trip away to Penzance to play at Penlee Park.

‘The Rec’ have had a decent beginning to 2025/26 currently finding themselves sixth – one place higher than they finished in the division last campaign.

Their hosts, Penzance AFC, should be the underdogs here. Penzance come from Step 6 and are 5th in the division, nine points behind the league leaders.

The tie seems simple on paper but the mix of a long journey and a not completely out of form underdog has been known to throw that paper out the window in the FA Vase.

 

Finally, we reach Portland United.

‘The Blues’ face an away game against Malmesbury Victoria, residents of The Flying Monk Ground.

Portland United’s season so far has been a mixed bag. Five wins, five losses and zero draws leaves them ninth, a lot higher than their seventeeth place finish last year.

Their Wiltshire opponents are from the tier below, having been relegated from the Hellenic Premier last season.

Currently they are fighting for their spot back in Step 5, sitting fifth and on a role of five wins from six.

Portland United would be the neutrals favourites but only very slightly over their hosts.

 

History is awaiting the five who enter, no Dorset side has won the FA Vase since 1992.

But in the shorter term, the FA announced that all Round One winners will receive a £825 prize fund whilst the losing sides will still get £250 in prize funds from the competition.