Bodmin Town 3-1 Colne
The FA Vase in partnership with Carlsberg
Fourth Round Proper
Saturday 22 January 2005

Cornish giants Bodmin Town intend to prove that lightning does not only strike twice, but three times this weekend, when they meet Colne in the Fourth Round of The FA Vase, in partnership with Carlsberg.

Playing out of the Carlsberg South Western League, they produced the shock of the second round, edging out last season’s semi-finalists, Bideford, who play out of the Screwfix Direct Western Premier, two rungs above them on the pyramid.

And to underline this was no fluke, they conjured a 5-1 annihilation of South Midlands Premier outfit, Hillingdon, another team two divisions above them in the pecking order, in round three.

Alan Carey who joined Bodmin as manager last season, is hoping to mastermind a further upset in the fourth round by disposing of another of last season’s semi-finalists.

"Colne are a good, well-organised team, but after our results in the last two rounds, we know we’re capable of turning them over.

"They know it too, so I’m expecting a tough game."

Colne are currently lying in fifth position in Division One of the North West Counties league.

They made light work of their second round opponents, Congleton Town, when they blasted five goals past them without reply and went on to beat Stone Dominoes 1-0 in round three.

Meanwhile another West Country side are gearing up for battle against current Vase champions, Winchester City.

Bridgwater Town are currently sixth in the Western League Premier Division.

And manager Trevor Senior, is understandably optimistic about his team’s chances.

"The fact we’ve been drawn to play Winchester at home should give us a bit of an advantage. The boys are confident. We’ve won our last seven home games."

"We’re in great form and I expect us to give a good account of ourselves on the day".

Bridgwater Town and Winchester City beat Exmouth and Thamesmead Town respectively to progress through to the fourth round stage.

West Midland Premier side Tipton Town, who produced arguably the shock of the third round when they disposed of Northern Division One side Durham City, have a home tie against one of the other giant-killers – Gedling Town, who carved out a 2-1away victory at Oldbury United of the Midland Football Alliance.

West Allotment Celtic of Northern Division Two have a home tie against Soham Town Rangers.

West Midlands Premier team, Ledbury Town, who upset fancied Studley with a 3-1 home win have been drawn away to Didcot Town of the Hellenic Premier.

Unbeaten Eastern Counties Premier side AFC Sudbury travel to Midland Football Alliance side Quorn.

Enfield, who are down from The FA Trophy this season, beat their bitter rivals, Enfield Town in the last round earning them a home tie with Brislington. Enfield are currently top of Ryman League Division Two.

Lowestoft Town managed a 5-1 demolition of Chertsey Town in the last round. They face an away tie against Backwell United. Both sides only progressed to the second round stage last season.

Lymington & New Milton play Billingham Town at home and will be looking to progress through to the fifth round stage, an improvement on last season’s fourth round exit.

Frome Town, currently in second position in the Western League Premier Division have the dubious reward for their 2-1 win over Kingsbury Town in the last round, with a trip to North West Counties Division One outfit Skelmersdale United.

Elsewhere, Bitton will have the home advantage against Bedlington Terriers and Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA will entertain Deal Town.

Winning teams will receive £1,500 in prize money and a place in the Fifth Round Proper to be played on Saturday 12 February 2005.

Prize money has been increased by The FA for the second consecutive season, an injection of £50,000 pushing the total fund to £401,000.

This season’s final due to be played on Sunday May 15 2005 will be held at Tottenham Hotspur FC, with The FA Vase due to return to its ‘spiritual home’ of Wembley in 2006.

This is the tenth consecutive season that Carlsberg has been The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Vase and forms an integral part of their support of football in this country.

Carlsberg is also The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Trophy and The FA Sunday Cup, highlighting their commitment to non-league and grassroots football.