Match Preview - Steeton AFC (H) - Isuzu FA Vase First Qualifying Round - Saturday 23rd August 2025 - Kick-Off 15:00pm

by Jeff King

The First Qualifying Round of The Isuzu FA Vase pits North East v North West in the shape of Ebac Northern League Division 2 Park View AFC against North West Counties First Division North Steeton AFC.

Neither side have a particularly good record in the competition but both can approach the game on Saturday with confidence after making good starts to their respective League campaigns.

The visitor's Steeton have played 8 games in 'The Vase' winning one drawing 4 and losing three. All those four draws resulted in penalty shoot-outs that they lost so no guessing that they hope the tie isn't level at 90 minutes.

In the League the Keighley, West Yorkshire outfit are unbeaten with three wins and a draw giving them the same ten points as leaders Maghull United but they are second due to having a one-goal inferior difference.

Park View have played three previous FA Vase games all at home. Two loses inside 90 minutes to Newcastle University in 2022 and FC Hartlepool in 2024. In between a 1 - 1 draw saw them lose to Blyth Town on penalties.

In the League Park View have played eight won five drawn one and lost two. They sit third in their League and have 16 points. A decent start then for both sides who both have ambitions to go higher.

But Saturday means League business but aside and dreams of a long run in a competition which is the highest that either side can apply to play in. The ultimate prize? A final at Wembley Stadium.

But that's a long way off and everything tomorrow points to a very tough tight encounter that even a betting man might find hard to place money on.