Royalists march on: Windsor & Eton 'one step closer' to Wembley in FA Vase

Ethan Darcy. Photo: Richard Milam

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Tunbridge Wells 1, Windsor & Eton 3

Windsor & Eton will host Fisher FC in the fourth round of the FA Vase after overcoming Tunbridge Wells 3-1 away from home on Saturday.

Rob Webb’s side were made to wait for this impressive victory, after heavy rainfall led to the postponement of the clash the previous week.

But it was more than worth the wait for the Royalists.

As their X account said after Saturday’s tie, they’re now ‘one step closer’ to painting Wembley red and green and making it to the final.

The visitors dominated the opening half hour of the clash at the Culverden Stadium. Isaiah Chase Kelly headed them in front in the 24th minute before Enzo Pashaj doubled their advantage in the 36th minute.

Webb’s side then negotiated their way through to half-time and were able to regroup for the second half. Backed by a loyal away following – who’d travelled to Tunbridge Wells on supporters’ coaches – the Royalists had to dig deep after Rory Ward pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 69th minute.

But Windsor continued to cause the home side problems and Ethan Darcy finished off their hopes when he grabbed their third goal in the 78th minute.

Tunbridge Wells’ goalscorer Ward was dismissed late on after collecting two second half bookings and that helped the visitors see the game through to full-time.

Webb’s Royalists move on to host Fisher FC of the Southern Counties East Premier Division in the fourth round on Saturday, January 17.

Fisher – who sit 13th in the table having played fewer matches than most of their rivals - managed to come through their third-round tie with Fleet Town on penalties on December 6.

While out of action in the Combined Counties Premier Division North over the past couple of weekends, Windsor have slipped out of the play-off places to sixth. However, they’re only seven points adrift of leaders Broadfields United and have six matches in hand over them. Second placed Ardley United, six points behind with two matches in hand, are the team they’ll likely have to stay close to if they want to remain in this season’s title race.

Burnham are fourth in the table after they drew 3-3 away at Abingdon United on Saturday.

Having taken the lead, the Blues had to come from 2-1 down and 3-2 down to claim a point thanks to a hat-trick from Jordan Brown.

Having taken the lead in the 19th minute, the Blues fell 2-1 behind before half-time thanks to strikes from Freddy Dunham (21') and Leo Cole (37').

Brown netted his second from the penalty spot just before the hour mark before Durham responded in kind with a penalty for the home team in the 74th minute. That looked like being the winner until Brown popped up again to second his third in the 88th minute.

It may not have been the win Mo and Omz Bakali were targeting, but they’ll have been encouraged by the spirit their side showed to battle back for a point, not once, but twice.

After two away draws, Burnham host Wokingham Town on Saturday.

Elsewhere in the division, Holyport’s miserable form continued as they were beaten 3-0 at home by Harefield United.

Port had hoped free entry for their community day might help the side rediscover some form after a run of nine straight defeats in all competitions.

But they failed to stop Harefield from making it 10. The Hares took the lead against the run of play through former Flackwell player Dylan Kearney in the 32nd minute. An error by the hosts then allowed Montel Brown to score a second for the visitors deep into first half stoppage time. Kickie Dzimba was sent to the sinbin in the 59th minute and the Hares were able to take advantage of their extra man with Brown killing the contest in the 61st minute.

The result leaves Port two points from safety in the bottom two. They face a crucial trip to the team just above them, North Leigh, this Saturday. A win for Lee Ovens and Dan Rapley’s side would lift them out of the bottom two despite their dreadful recent form.