Isuzu FA Vase First Round Proper Draw
Mon 14th September 2026 | FA Challenge Vase | By Martin Fallon
The FA have today released the draw details for the First Round Proper of the 2026/27 FA Vase.
Sixty of our member Clubs have entered this year's competition and 17 will be playing in this round. A further five clubs - Bilston Town, Chadderton, Droylsden, Nelson and South Liverpool - will enter at the Second Round after gaining exemption by reaching the Fourth Round last season.
There is chance for a lot of sides to progress with just three all-NWCFL ties. There is a cracking all-First Division North tie as Maghull host Colne, whilst another all-North tie will see Woolton host Ashville. The third is an all-Premier Division tie with Charnock Richard hosting Prestwich Heys.
There are four opponents who will be facing NWCFL sides for the very first time. Atherton LR will welcome Field Olympic who are playing their first season in the National League System after winning the West Yorkshire League last season. They have started the season well and are in third position in the Northern Counties East First Division.
Darlington Town stepped up to the Northern League two years ago to the Northern League, and they travel to FC St Helens who ran out 9-0 winners on Saturday in their FA Vase tie. Darlington currently sit 12th in the Second Division of the Northern League.
The third is Southwell City who play in the First Division of the United Counties League. Southwell is between Nottingham and Lincoln and they travel across to Wolverhampton Casuals. Southwell have also started well and sit in third place in their league.
The final one is Moulton, probably the furthest side any of our sides have ever faced in the First Round of this competition. Moulton are in the Premier Division South of the United Counies League in 13th place at present. They are between Northampton and Kettering and will welcome AFC Bridgnorth, a four hour, 187-mile round trip for our First Division North leaders.
Other ties see Ramsbottom United also face United Counties League opponents as they travel to the World's Oldest Football Club when they make the trip to Sheffield. Foley Meir's reward for reaching this round for the first time is a home tie with Ashby Ivanhoe. And Thornton Cleveleys, another who are in this round for the first time, will host Northern Counties East side Albion Sports.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
THE FA VASE FIRST ROUND PROPER
SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2026
WINNING CLUB TO RECEIVE £825
LOSING CLUB TO RECEIVE £250
3. Atherton LR v Field Olympic
4. Thornton Cleveleys v Albion Sports
5. Charnock Richard v Prestwich Heys
6. Sheffield v Ramsbottom United
11. Maghull v Colne
13. Parkgate v Burscough
14. Holker Old Boys v Pickering Town
19. FC St Helens v Darlington Town
20. Fulwood Amateurs v Yarm & Eaglescliffe
21. Woolton v Ashville
31. Foley Meir v Ashby Ivanhoe
33. Wolverhampton Casuals v Southwell City
35. Hinckley v Eccleshall
38. Moulton v AFC Bridgnorth
Isuzu FA Vase First Round Proper Draw
Mon 14th September 2026 | FA Challenge Vase
By Martin Fallon
The FA have today released the draw details for the First Round Proper of the 2026/27 FA Vase.
Sixty of our member Clubs have entered this year's competition and 17 will be playing in this round. A further five clubs - Bilston Town, Chadderton, Droylsden, Nelson and South Liverpool - will enter at the Second Round after gaining exemption by reaching the Fourth Round last season.
There is chance for a lot of sides to progress with just three all-NWCFL ties. There is a cracking all-First Division North tie as Maghull host Colne, whilst another all-North tie will see Woolton host Ashville. The third is an all-Premier Division tie with Charnock Richard hosting Prestwich Heys.
There are four opponents who will be facing NWCFL sides for the very first time. Atherton LR will welcome Field Olympic who are playing their first season in the National League System after winning the West Yorkshire League last season. They have started the season well and are in third position in the Northern Counties East First Division.
Darlington Town stepped up to the Northern League two years ago to the Northern League, and they travel to FC St Helens who ran out 9-0 winners on Saturday in their FA Vase tie. Darlington currently sit 12th in the Second Division of the Northern League.
The third is Southwell City who play in the First Division of the United Counties League. Southwell is between Nottingham and Lincoln and they travel across to Wolverhampton Casuals. Southwell have also started well and sit in third place in their league.
The final one is Moulton, probably the furthest side any of our sides have ever faced in the First Round of this competition. Moulton are in the Premier Division South of the United Counies League in 13th place at present. They are between Northampton and Kettering and will welcome AFC Bridgnorth, a four hour, 187-mile round trip for our First Division North leaders.
Other ties see Ramsbottom United also face United Counties League opponents as they travel to the World's Oldest Football Club when they make the trip to Sheffield. Foley Meir's reward for reaching this round for the first time is a home tie with Ashby Ivanhoe. And Thornton Cleveleys, another who are in this round for the first time, will host Northern Counties East side Albion Sports.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
THE FA VASE FIRST ROUND PROPER
SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER 2026
WINNING CLUB TO RECEIVE £825
LOSING CLUB TO RECEIVE £250
3. Atherton LR v Field Olympic
4. Thornton Cleveleys v Albion Sports
5. Charnock Richard v Prestwich Heys
6. Sheffield v Ramsbottom United
11. Maghull v Colne
13. Parkgate v Burscough
14. Holker Old Boys v Pickering Town
19. FC St Helens v Darlington Town
20. Fulwood Amateurs v Yarm & Eaglescliffe
21. Woolton v Ashville
31. Foley Meir v Ashby Ivanhoe
33. Wolverhampton Casuals v Southwell City
35. Hinckley v Eccleshall
38. Moulton v AFC Bridgnorth
