Sheerwater are back in Isuzu FA Vase action this Saturday when we welcome Brimscombe & Thrupp in the 2nd Qualifying Round. Kick off is 3pm at Eastwood Leisure Centre, GU21 5RF.
TEAM NEWS
Sheerwater's Will Shaw will be unavailable for selection as he is cup tied, previously featuring for Wokingham & Emmbrook in their cup tie against Bitton.
Duo Mitch Cooper and Sam Green return to the fold after injury while Will Frank is still sidelined for a few more weeks with a hamstring injury. The former, Cooper, returns after resting his swollen ankle.
SHEERS PREVIEW
Sheerwater are a refreshed outfit this season, under the new management guise of Michael Herbert. Herbert was most recently at Penn & Tylers Green following spells at Sandhurst Town and Woodley United. Herbert is assisted by Darryl Jelly.
Sheerwater have played just three league games in the new 2022/23 season, finding just one win and recording two defeats since the league season started in August. This includes 4-0 and 2-1 defeats to Raynes Park Vale and Redhill, respectively.
Last week saw a narrow 2-1 defeat played out at Redhill, where the Sheers went close in a game of "fine margins". It was a game that was hotly competed, with some golden chances going begging including a second half header that was directed wide of the right post and some fine saves by either side's shot stoppers in both halves.
OUR OPPOSITION
Brimscombe & Thrupp ply their trade in the 20-team Premier Division of the Uhlsport Hellenic League, which sits in parallel with Sheerwater's league, the Cherry Red Combined Counties Premier South Division. Both sides sit at step 5 of the English football league system. Our opposition have recorded just six points from their opening six league games, with three draws and one win.
In the previous round of the competition, they faced opposition who are from the level below, in Aldermaston. Brimscombe capitalised, pushing forward with a comfortable 4-0 win over their lower league opposition, with one goal on the verge of half-time before netting three in the second half.
Just over a month ago, Brimscombe were defeated 2-0 on their travels at Bishop's Cleeve in the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup, on the back of a 2-1 victory over Fairford Town in the previous round.
The Gloucestershire side's game scheduled for the 17th September, against Chipping Sodbury Town, was called off after the Lilywhites were unable to field a side through injuries, illness and other non-footballing commitments.
Last season, Brimscombe & Thrupp concluded the 2021/22 campaign in 9th place in the 20-team strong Premier Division, finishing above Fairford, Calne Town (Wiltshire), and Oxfordshire based Shrivenham. Last term they totted up a total of 80 goals in league action across the course of the season. Brimscombe's Harlie Price, who found the net in the Lilywhites' last competitive game on 13th September, netted 32 goals in 43 games last season. They also reached the Second Round of the FA Vase last campaign, being defeated 4-1 at Hampshire based club Brockenhurst.
MATCH INFO
Kick off is 3pm at the Eastwood Leisure Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5RF
Admission for this game is £7 for adults, £4 for concessions and £1 for under 16's. The club's official matchday programme will be on sale at the ground for just £2.
There is parking available at the leisure centre for football spectators, players and officials.
Sheerwater will wear their all-blue and white home kit while our visitors will be in purple.
COVERAGE
Supporters unable to make Saturday's game can follow the club's Twitter @SheerwaterFC feed for live text match commentary from the first to last whistle, bringing you goal news, a match report following the final whistle and hopefully post-match reaction.
We encourage as many local people to come down and support the lads on Saturday!