Non-League and Academy football writer

Lymore Gardens have not only taken to the Thurlow Nunn League First Division South (step 6) so well in their first season in that particular league (they are currently just outside of the league’s play-off positions, with a number of games in hand). However, their debut season competing in the prestigious FA Vase has been one that has seen them reach the last 16 of that competition, an achievement which speaks volumes about how talented this Lymore team is. Promoted from the Essex Alliance Football League Senior Division (step 7) at the end of last season, in their first season at step 6 Lymore Gardens have really relished and embraced the great challenge which is the FA Vase, which is open to all clubs in the country who compete at steps 5 and 6 of the non-League system.

Looking back to Lymore’s first qualifying round tie against a very good Woodford Town (step 5) side in August, and to be honest I don’t think that many would’ve expected Lymore to beat them. However, in that game they were outstanding, progressing into the next round as 1-0 winners. Fast forward to the next round, and Lymore beat another Essex Senior League side in Frenford, 2-1. And then they found themselves in to the first round proper, where they faced a Framlingham Town side at home, at Redbridge FC. Lymore would win that game emphatically, 5-1.

In the second round proper of this season’s FA Vase, Lymore were handed a tough away draw against step 5 side Thetford Town. After 90 minutes the game was 1-1, and it would ultimately have to be decided by penalties. Lymore progressed into the next round after winning 4-3 on penalties, with Andre Graham scoring a superb winner from the penalty spot for Lymore. In round three, despite being drawn at home to another step 6 side, in Halesworth Town, Lymore Gardens would have to play that tie away from home, travelling to Suffolk to face Halesworth. They ran out deserved 2-0 winners in that tie. 

In the last 32 of the FA Vase, Lymore traveled to Reading, to face Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North side Reading City. 1-0 down at half-time in that contest, Lymore had it all to do in the second half. And after the club’s all time top goalscorer (since their formation in Division Two of the Essex Alliance Football League), Dylan Roberts, had drawn them level in the 58th minute, another excellent player in Malik Donaldson, would score what turned out to be the winner just past the 80th minute mark. 

So that brings us to where Lymore are in the FA Vase, and in the last 16 of the competition they will travel to Wiltshire to face Wessex League Premier Division side Downton, next month. I’ve watched a really good number of Lymore games now, going back to when they were in the Senior Division of the Essex Alliance Football League Senior Division, and for how they play their football, they are without doubt one of the most entertaining teams to watch, from steps 5 to 7.

I think that the FA Vase has really shown that Lymore Gardens will play their high intensity passing football against any team, with real confidence to express themselves on the pitch as a team, with the fearlessness that has seen them reach this stage of the FA Vase. From defence to the forward areas, their quality as a team has been superb, and with their excellent captain Ryo Brown leading by example on the pitch, Lymore as a group of players and as a squad have been a real credit to non-League football in east London, so far this season. They are one of three London sides still in this season’s FA Vase.

Something really special is being built at Lymore Gardens, and for their FA Vase journey in season 2025/26, they deserve a lot of plaudits, and hopefully a lot more media coverage as well. I think that it’s important to highlight that not only is it the players who have contributed so much to their FA Vase run, but the coaching staff of Lee Benjamin (first team manager and club founder), Javel Green (first team assistant manager), Marvin Birch, Lee Howard and Ben Greig, have all played their part in this incredible season thus far. As have all of the background staff at the club, who also deserve a lot of credit, with it being a real team effort.

The Downton FC game will provide Lymore with another great challenge, as they look to take on another step 5 side, and hopefully reach the quarter-finals of this great and historic competition.