Sam’s Section: Hartpury could make history in FA Vase whilst Shortwood and Stonehouse battle for play-off spots

That time to look at some Gloucestershire footballing action is upon us and this week I look at some Hellenic Division One play-off hunters and our final side left in the FA Vase.

Rivals Shortwood United and Stonehouse Town both have a chance to climb into the play-off spots in the Hellenic Div One whilst Hartpury University have a tough FA Vase fourth round tie to contend with.

And that is where we’ll start at the Hartpury University Stadium as Hartpury gear up to take on Velocity Wessex Football League Premier side, Fareham Town on Sunday.

Hartpury have made it this far (the fourth round) in both of their only two appearances in the competition so will be looking to make history by reaching the fifth round for the first time.

Martin Longworth’s side have already defeated Wells City and East Cowes Victoria to reach this stage and will have the home advantage for a third straight game.

Fareham are going strong in their division sitting 6^th just two points off the play-offs and have already played four games to reach this round starting their run back in September.

This game will be history itself for Fareham as it’s the first time they’ve ever reached the fourth round in 27 attempts.

Hartpury University v Fareham Town (FA Vase, Hartpury University Stadium, Sunday January 19^th, kick off 3pm)

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Now onto the Hellenic Div One and its tightly contested play-off battle as rivals Shortwood and Stonehouse have a chance to move into the play-off places this weekend.

Shortwood sit 6^th on 35 points, level with Redditch Borough in 5^th, with just goal difference keeping them out.

Stonehouse could’ve been on 35 points but were forced to settle for a point in a goalless draw with Newent Town on Tuesday night, but a win and results elsewhere going their way, could see the Magpies jump from 8^th to 5^th.

Both face tricky opposition however as Shortwood host strugglers Carterton at Meadowbank and Stonehouse host Bewdley Town at Ben’s Takeaway Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides are in hot form as well in the build up with Shortwood losing just one of their 14 games in all competitions whilst the Magpies are unbeaten in their last four games.

But the games that both sides will be keeping an eye will be, mainly for Stonehouse, Clanfield 85’s trip to bottom side Southam United, but both will be heavily watching Redditch Borough’s clash with Cheltenham Saracens.

Shortwood United v Carterton FC (Hellenic Div One, Meadowbank, Saturday January 18^th, kick off 3pm)

Stonehouse Town v Bewdley Town (Hellenic Div One, Ben’s Takeaway Stadium, Saturday January 18^th, kick off 3pm)

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