Non-League and Academy football writer

The 2026/27 season’s FA Vase journey starts on Friday evening, for those teams who will be competing in the first qualifying round of this prestigious old competition. Here are my three standout FA Vase ties featuring teams from the Thurlow Nunn League, this weekend.

FC Baresi versus Cornard United:

This will be only FC Baresi’s second time competing in the FA Vase. At Wodson Park (Ware FC) on Saturday afternoon, Yannick Kamanan’s side will host step 5 Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side Cornard United at the very first stage of this season’s FA Vase. I personally think that this will be a really interesting cup tie, between two ties from the same league, but from different divisions and steps of non-League football. Yannick Kamanan’s side are a youthful side, and despite losing 2-1 away to Hoddesdon Town on Tuesday, very late on. They have a lot of potential to do really well this season, in both league and cup competitions.

Cornard United, who have drawn two and lost one of their opening three league matches of this season, played over 120 minutes of football in midweek. As they progressed in to the next stage of the FA Cup qualification rounds, with a win against Downham Town. So it will be very interesting to see how Saturday’s FA Vase tie plays out.

May & Baker EC versus London Harts United:

May & Baker have enjoyed a great start to the season, with three great league wins recorded, without them conceding a single goal in their league thus far. They face another Thurlow Nunn League First Division South side, in London Harts United, who will be making their debut in the FA Vase on Saturday, at Parsloes Park Hub. And I think that this will be a really good game of football, between two very good sides who will be aiming to go far in this season’s FA Vase.

Sporting Bengal United versus NW London:

Step 5 Essex Senior League side Sporting Bengal United face Thurlow Nunn League First Division South side NW London at the Mile End Stadium, on Saturday. Sporting Bengal United will know NW London from their time in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division South, but NW London will likely be the outsiders for this game, given that they play one level lower than Sporting Bengal United. However, this could be a very interesting game and cup tie for fans of non-League football to attend on Saturday. It would be a great occasion for NW London to pick up their first win of the season in.