The Isuzu FA Vase

Four teams prepare to bid for the Buildbase FA Vase final and a date at Wembley

Friday 23 Mar 2018
1874 Northwich face Thatcham Town

We'll know which two of Marske United, Stockton Town, Thatcham Town and 1874 Northwich will be heading to Wembley after the second legs of the Buildbase FA Vase on Saturday.

A team from the north east has lifted the Vase in each of the last three seasons and, with Stockton facing off against Marske, the Northern League is guaranteed to be represented again.

Stockton, in just their second Vase campaign, won the first leg 2-0, although the match was hosted at their Bishopton Road West ground due to the state of Marske's Mount Pleasant pitch.

Buildbase FA Vase
  • Semi-finals second leg
  • Saturday 24 March 2018
  • By Matt Wright
But despite effectively having home advantage twice, Stockton manager Micky Dunwell believes a trip to Wembley is far from certain.

“For the second leg we must put the same performance in that we did last Saturday, and be as professional as we can be all over the park," said Dunwell.

“The lads were superb, every single one of them did their jobs properly, but they will need to do the same again."

Marske defender Craig Gott added: “We’ll be going into the second leg with nothing to lose, and there’ll be no holding back as far as we’re concerned. 

"This semi-final isn’t over yet by a long way. If we apply ourselves properly, then we can still turn this around.”

There is still everything to play for in the other second leg, with Thatcham 1-0 up against 1874 Northwich after Ross Cook's penalty gave the Berkshire outfit a first-leg advantage.

Northwich have made headlines recently, due to the amount of fixtures they still have to play this season, although a Wembley final is an extra game they wouldn't mind adding to their calendar.

It would certainly be a big achievement for a club who were only formed just under six years ago.

"We’ve plenty to think about, but there’s no sense at all that we’re at a big disadvantage," said 1874 Northwich co-manager Wayne Goodison. 

“There have been plenty of occasions this season when we’ve been 1-0 down and recovered, only this time we’ve a whole 90 minutes to turn it around.”

Tickets for Non-League Finals Day, which is held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 20 May and also features the Buildbase FA Trophy Final are already on sale. Find out more and purchase tickets here.

By FA Staff