Harpenden, who will be new opponents for the Oystermen, are currently in tenth place in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. They have reached this round for the first time in their history, although they came close last season before losing 7-6 on penalties to Dereham Town in the Third Round. That earned them an exemption until the First Round this time around.

Whitstable's historic achievements last season meant that they only entered in the Second Round this time. This will actually be only the third time that Whitstable have reached the Fourth Round (last 32). They reached the Fifth Round in 1996-97 before losing to eventual runners-up North Ferriby United, and of course went all the way to lift the trophy at Wembley in 2024-25.

The route to the Fourth Round for the two teams
First Round
Wisbech Town (United Counties Premier Division North) 1 Harpenden Town 6

Second Round
Little Oakley (Essex Senior League) 0 Harpenden Town 1
Infinity (Southern Combination Football League Division One) 1 Whitstable Town 2

Third Round
Harpenden Town 3 Haringey Borough (Spartan South Midlands Premier) 2
Whitstable Town 3 Eastbourne United (Southern Combination Football League Premier Division) 0

Match Details For Saturday
The Isuzu FA Vase Fourth Round
Harpenden Town v Whitstable Town
Saturday 17th January 2026, 15:00

Harpenden Town Football Club
Rothamsted Park
Amenbury Lane
Harpenden
AL5 2EF

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Harpenden's website:
https://shorturl.at/yQ5mg

There are still a few seats left on the coaches, if you would like to travel with us:
https://tickettailor.com/events/wtfc/1980176

A few FA Vase facts and figures
Whitstable were not drawn against anyone from the Spartan South Midlands League last season and of the ten teams they did beat to win the competition, none are left in this time.
Promoted, so not eligible:
AFC Whyteleafe, Hartpury University, Jersey Bulls
Second Qualifying Round losers:
Virginia Water, Corinthian-Casuals, Lydd Town, Hollands & Blair
Second Round losers:
Whitchurch Alport, Walsham le Willows
Third Round losers:
Fleet Town

Three teams from the Southern Counties East Premier Division have reached the Fourth Round this season; Whitstable are joined by Fisher and Punjab United. Cockfosters are the other team still standing from the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division.

There are only two teams in the remaining 32 that have previously won the FA Vase:
North Shields 2014-15 (beat Glossop North End 2-1 after extra time)
Whitstable Town 2024-25 (beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 after extra time)

The only multiple winners of the competition since it began in 1974-75 are:
Whitley Bay (4) 2001-02, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11
Billericay Town (3) 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79
Halesowen Town (2) 1984-85, 1985-86
Tiverton Town (2) 1997-98, 1998-99
Brigg Town (2) 1995-96, 2002-03