Three steps from Wembley and history for Barnstaple Town Football Club

Barnstaple Town Football Club stand on the brink of history as their first team prepare for a landmark FA Vase tie on Saturday, January 17.

Victory would see Barum reach the last sixteen of the national competition for non-league clubs at steps five and six, leaving them just three wins away from a first-ever appearance at Wembley Stadium — the home of English football.

The club have not progressed this far in the FA Vase for more than two decades. Their previous run ended in the 1994/95 season with a 2–0 defeat away at Arlesey in Bedfordshire. This time, however, Barnstaple hold home advantage, with AFC Stoneham making the long journey from Hampshire to Mill Road.

Barnstaple’s Vase adventure began back in August in the First Qualifying Round and has already produced five victories. A 2–1 win over Wadebridge set the tone, followed by convincing successes against Cheddar (4–0), Newent Town (5–0) and Sherborne Town (3–1).

The most dramatic test came in the previous round against Buckland Athletic, where Barum, reduced to ten men, forced a penalty shoot-out. Goalkeeper Mike Searle proved the hero, saving two spot-kicks to secure a 2–0 shoot-out win.

Goals have been shared throughout the squad, with eight different players finding the net during the run. Josh Parry and Tommy Rogers have led the way with four goals each.

The FA Vase success has been part of a remarkable season for Barnstaple Town. The club have already reached the semi-finals of the League Cup and are well placed in the league play-off race, with games in hand on several teams above them.

Manager Ben Potter and his coaching staff have urged the town to get behind the team for the visit of Stoneham, with a large crowd expected. Kick-off on January 17 is at 3pm. The clubhouse will be open from 1pm, serving a range of food and drinks, with both cash and card payments accepted.

Barum’s weekend meeting with Bridgwater in the Western League was one of many semi-pro fixtures postponed after Storm Goretti, but Bideford’s trip to Southern League promotion-chasers Malvern Town did go ahead and the Robins were unable to resist an impressive attacking unit.

After an even opening to the game, Malvern scored the opener from close range in the Worcestershire winter sunshine but the Robins then settled into their task and Jack Winsor came within inches of levelling matters before the break.

Just as Bideford began to build further momentum in the second period, Malvern doubled their lead with a powerful low strike from Harry Clark. The Robins responded from the next attack, Ryan Turner halving the deficit with a near-post header but Malvern sealed their win with a third seven minutes from time.

Ilfracombe Town made the long trip to Stoke Gabriel in the South West Peninsula League and went down to a 3-2 defeat in a cracking game, Charlie Prentice and Jake Chesworth finding the net for the Bluebirds.