Match Preview - FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round - Saturday 15th August 2026 - Knaresborough Town (A) - Kick-Off 15:00pm

Captain Ben

Skipper Ben Gallagher will lead Park View AFC into their 2026/27 FA Vase campaign on the road at Macron North Counties East Premier League Knaresborough Town on Saturday in the 1st Qualifying Round.

For the victors of Saturday's clash their reward will be a home tie against Ebac Northern League Division One Bishop Auckland. A tasty prospect indeed for whoever comes out on top.

This is PV's fifth season in the FA Vase and they have only won one game in the competition so far. That was last season against Steeton AFC 2 - 0 although they went out on penalities in the next round down at Eccleshill United.

Previous campaigns have seen them go out in the 1st Qualifying Round at home to Newcastle University, Blyth Town on penalties and FC Hartlepool. The youngsters from Chester-le-Street would dearly love a deeper run in The Vase.

They go into the game on the back of four matches without a win all in the Ebac Northern League Division 2. Wednesday night's 1 - 1 draw against Darlington Town their third draw in that four match run. The defeat v Newcastle University.

Perhaps not being in league action may relax Park View and take some of the pressure off. However their opponents Knaresborough Town are a very solid side that play one league higher than Park View.

The North Counties Premier East being classified as Step 5 and therefore the equivalent of the Ebac Northern League Division 1. So, on the road and against a side a level up. A tough task indeed.

Knaresborough have started their season solidly with two wins and two defeats from their first four league games giving them seventh place and six points in the table. They have scored eight times and conceded the same amount.

They have though already played Northern League opposition this season. Last Saturday First Division side Whickham visited The Myrings Stadium and Town came out victorious 2 - 1 in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.

That gave The Boro as they are known ten goals from the season with nine different scorers. William Levehan having two of them. One in the league and one in the FA Cup.

That FA Cup win for The Boro is a further indication of how tough Park View's task is on Saturday. But it is always an exciting day when the FA Vase comes around and the 3:00pm kick-off is a challenge both sides are looking forward to.