A Possible FA Vase Trip Down South For Scarborough Athletic FC

The 4th Round of the FA Vase has been made and once again the Seadogs face the possibility of a long January 22nd trip down south to compete.

It is not quite as long as the Devon trip to Bideford at the same stage two seasons ago, but not far short!

The potential journeys this time around are to either a: Bristol-based Cadbury Heath FC of the Toolstation Western League Division One - they are bedfellows of Merthyr Town FC who we played (and beat!) in the Supporters Direct Shield (at neutral Telford) in pre-season. Merthyr sit atop that division at the moment with Cadbury Heath in 5th

& b: Reading Town of err Reading! The Berkshiremen are in 12th place in the Hellenic League Premier - at the same level and almost in the same place as Boro are.

But all this is getting ahead of ourselves somewhat. Before the compasses can be set on a southerly bearing we have a very tough nut to crack in the shape of our 3rd round opponents Spennymoor Town.

The Moors are the reigning champions of the Northern League and currently sit handy in 2nd place with games in hand. Strangely their away record this season is superior to their home record (although both are impressive enough) and they hope to visit Queensgate this Saturday (11th) to vie with the Seadogs for that 4th Round berth.

The bookies like Spennymoor as well - they are joint 4/1 joint favourites to lift the Vase at Wembley.

There is another stumbling block in the form of the snow chaos that has hit the country - few places worse than the North East Coast - and our Spennymoor tie has already fallen victim to this once and, unless we have a big thaw, this Saturday's game must have a bit of a question mark over it. Let us hope it gets played!