Whitchurch United progress in FA Vase (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Whitchurch United progress in FA Vase

1:00pm Friday 7th September 2012 in Sport By Graham Merry

WHITCHURCH were the only one of three local sides to make it through to the second qualifying round of the FA Vase as Hartley Wintney and Tadley Calleva were both knocked out.

Whitchurch enjoyed a fruitful trip to fellow Wessex League division one side Team Solent, winning 2-0, while fellow division one outfit Tadley lost 1-0 at Wessex premier side New Milton and Hartley were beaten 3-0 by visiting Shrivenham.

’Church turned in a great performance at Team Solent with the home side unable to contain Issac Sedu down the wing as he set up three early chances for George Dallarda.

Paul Coventry then also went close before Pa Touray slid in Luke Walker to open the scoring.

Solent started the second half the better with Tom Hindmarsh tipping over one chance beforethen their centre-half headed onto the bar.

The game was made safe five minutes from time as sub Louis Macey found Paul Coventry, who lobbed the home ’keeper.

Manager Jim Macey said: “It was a very good performance and Alex Pickering in the centre of defence was outstanding.”

The reward for Whitchurch is a home tie a week on Saturday against Bristol Academy.

Before that they turn their attentions to their league opener against visiting Laverstock and Ford on Saturday.

Looking ahead to game and season manager Macey said: “Laverstock are very good from set pieces with their big centre back and it is shame we are without suspended Jordan Seward.

“This is going to be a very competitive division this year, but I would like to think we can hopefully improve on last year’s finish and I would like a couple of cup runs.”

Tadley also open their Wessex league campaign this weekend with a trip to East Cowes Vics and boss Danny Dolan knows that is a tough start.

Dolan said: “It is always hard going to the island and it is a shame we are without Brett Denham, but we have good squad and I hope we will do well this season. “We had a bad start last season, which I hope we can avoid this time around.” Last weekend, Tadley suffered a 1-0 defeat at New Milton in a game boss Dolan felt got away.

He said: “I am bitterly disappointed as they were not a good side and we should have capitalised on it, but we did not play as well as we can do.” Both Whitchurch and Tadley play in the Hampshire Senior on Tuesday, ’Church travel to Eversley and Tadley are at Cove.

The following night, Hartley are in action in the same competition away at Totton and Eling.

Before that on Saturday they are at Chessington and Hook in the Combined Counties League premier division.