Well its almost here the 1st round proper for Dobwalls Football Club. Its taken a hundred years, but what a moment for everyone at the club.
Our opponents in this tie are a team from the darkest depths of Hampshire. Nestled in the New Forest they have a relatively short but illustrious history, and their FA Vase pedigree is one to be admired.
Currently Wessex league members, playing in the Premier Division, they have had brief flirtations with the Southern League. They first joined the Wessex league in 1986/87 season and the season after they reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase, with reaching the quarters in the next year.
Bashley come into this fixture on the back of three league wins on the trot. They sit fourth in their Division and are looking strong to make a challenge for the league.
Bashley, like Dobwalls had to reach the 1st round by means of qualification but unlike Dobs, the Bash had to overcome two opponents. Their 1st game was an away trip (via the nightmare that is the M27) with 3-0 win over Petersfield to set up a tie with Surrey side Farnham Town in the second qualifying round. Another jaunt arond the M27 and a penalty shootout was the key to them progressing beating Farnahm 7-6 (1-1 FT) to yet receive another away trip, this time time to us in glorious Cornwall.
Dobwalls on the other hand have had a mixed bag since the FA Vase cup win against St. Blazey. A win away at Penzance, a loss at home to Godolphin and a draw Wednesday night against St. Austell, speaks of a team struggling to find a rhythm. The lads will be up for this game, that is a certainty, and the management team of Wes and Ben will do everything in their power to ensure that this historic ‘cup run’ continues.
Whilst obviously we would love a Dobs win, in reality it’s a difficult game to call. The unknow element of the ‘power of the cup’, the long journey for our opposition, the unpredictably predictable Cornish weather, the respective run of form for each team, makes this game a truly exciting prospect.
It would be a pity to miss the encounter and we invite you all to come and view this historic (for Dobs) cup game.
Dobwalls Vs Bashley F.C.
Saturday 23rd October
K.O. 1500
Lantoom Park