WE'VE SEEN OFF THE BADGERS - NOW THE ROBINS FLY INTO VIEW!

THE Brickies’ reward for Saturday’s exciting FA Vase win against Brockenhurst is away to another relatively local Wessex Premier side, Downton, in the second round. The teams were in the same division last season, although at the time, Downton were motoring and New Milton were suffering. The Robins eventually finished tenth, eight points adrift of the play-off places, a late fade in form costing them their shot at promotion. Along the way, they beat the Brickies 4-0 at their Nest, and also won 4-0 at New Milton. However, as Brockenhurst discovered on Saturday, the Brickies are a vastly different proposition this season. The FA Vase, though, was one of Downton’s specialities last season. They went all the way through to the last eight before losing in highly-controversial circumstances, to the Essex side Punjab United. Earlier they had beaten Lymore Gardens 3-0 in the fifth round, beat Slimbridge 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the fourth round, won 3-1 away to Bovey Tracey in the third round, and Shortwood United 4-1 at this stage last year, after seeing off Sidmouth Town 4-3 on penalties following a 4-4 draw in the first round. The Robins are currently ninth in the Wessex Prem, with one of those “symetrical” records - won 6, drawn 3, lost 6. Recent form is not great, but not exactly dire - last Saturday they lost 2-1 at Horndean, having lost 3-2 at home to leaders Fareham the previous week. Because of their Vase performance last season they had a bye to the second round. Our Downton match will be played on Saturday 31st October - which means the Brickies’ scheduled Wessex Division One match at Frimley Green will be postponed. Final note: The FA Vase trophy holders, of course, are a team who were in the Wessex League at the time, AFC Stoneham. They beat Cockfosters 4-2 on penalties at Wembley after a 0-0 draw at 90 minutes earlier this year. OTHER TIES INVOLVING WESSEX LEAGUE CLUBS

Amesbury Town v Highworth Town

Andover New Street v Mangotsfield United

Cove v Lancing

Cowes Sports v Buckland Athletic

Elburton Villa v SturminsterNewton

Hallen v Hythe & Dibden

Tunbridge Wells v Ash United