This Saturday we make the much-anticipated trip to the Norfolk coast for an FA Vase First Round Proper tie against Great Yarmouth Town. As many of you will recall, it will be the second year running that we have played an FA Vase game at the home of the Bloaters. Last year we came away with a 4-3 victory curtesy of goals from Charlie Tunnell (pen), Efraim Romanos, Ed Rolph and an own goal. This year we return to the Wellesley Recreation Ground not only looking for a repeat of the previous result, but also to trouser the £825 prize money up for grabs to the winners.
As per last season, Great Yarmouth Town are members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division where they currently occupy a mid-table position. After winning their first five league games of the season, their form dipped dramatically and they have since won on only one of their last six outings. However, that solitary win came against league leaders Fakenham Town and by a 4-1 scoreline. They last played on Tuesday night at home to Mulbarton Wanderers and lost the game 0-3, so it is perhaps fair to say that the form book is offering very few indicators as to which way this game will go. If the game finishes level after 90 minutes, it will go straight to a penalty shootout to decide the winners.
Records show that we have played Great Yarmouth 74 times, winning 24 and losing 32. However, all six meetings between the two sides this century have been won by the Stutes.
In the previous round, Great Yarmouth were 3-0 winners against Eynesbury Rovers, who we play on our return to league action at Bridge Road on Tuesday night.
Admission to the game is £8.00 for adults and £5 for over 65s and under 18s. Under 16s are admitted for £1.00. The ground is a ten minute walk from Great Yarmouth town centre with all it’s famous visitor attractions, so a bag of loose change to feed the slot machines may come in useful.
There are still places available on the club coach, which leaves from Bridge Road at 10.15am. The return trip will cost you £10. Contact Paul Smart at paul.smart@histonfc.co.uk to reserve your seat. If you prefer to drive, the postcode for your SatNav is NR30 1EY.
A win on Saturday will leave just seven more games to go before the showcase final at Wembley in May. Your support on the road is always much appreciated by the players and management alike, so please get behind the Stutes this weekend as we look to progress to the next round.