FA VASE favourites Marske United stand between Bracknell Town and the semi finals, writes Dave Wright.

And the Robins will have home advantage when they take on the Northern League Division One club at Larges Lane on Saturday, February 23.

Marske, whose visit could attract a crowd close to 1,000, have not lost a league or FA Vase game on a 3G pitch for three years.

The North Yorkshire seaside club currently lie fourth in the table with 52 points from 21 games, eight matches fewer than the sides above them.

For Bracknell’s management trio of Jeff Lamb, Paul McGrotty and Derek Sweetman, it is the third time they have reached the quarter finals of the competition, having previously achieved it before with Ascot United in 2013 and again two years later.

But as Lamb pointed out: “We never got past the quarter finals, so, hopefully, we will this year. We want to get to Wembley.”

The Robins’ joint manager admitted his side had made “hard work” of beating Coleshill 4-2 after extra time in their fifth-round tie last Saturday.

“With the number of chances we had, we should have buried them in the first half.

“But overall I’m really chuffed with the performance. The boys’ character and fight was impressive, as was their willingness to win the ball.

“They showed a real desire to win and maybe in the end we looked as if we wanted it a bit more than they did.”

Despite dominating the opening 45 minutes. Town were only one goal ahead at half time and found themselves on level terms when the Midland League leaders scored six minutes into the second half.

“After their equaliser, it looked like Coleshill had the ascendency, but we went two up top (Adam Cornell joining TJ Bohane) and I think that turned the game back in our favour.” said Lamb.

“Gracey (keeper Chris Grace) also pulled off a vital save, but we grew into the game and they got tired. In the end it was a fantastic display.”

Fellow joint-manager McGrotty added: “The whole team stood out, so it’s not fair to single individuals out, but our goalie has pulled off a great save with the scores level and two minutes later we score. We are chuffed for them all.”

With Thatcham travelling to Melksham and Windsor to Stockton, there is still a chance of three Hellenic League and Berkshire clubs reaching the semi finals which are held over two legs.

Ironically, on the same day of the quarter final, Bracknell were due to have visited Windsor in a league game.