Main embark on their FA Vase journey with a First Round tie against Durham United at Oxford Street on Saturday 10th October.

Last season’s historic run to the Third Round saw Main bypass this year’s qualifying rounds and enter the competition at the First Round Proper stage – the first time the club has done so in their 107-year history.

Opponents Durham United have made history themselves by overcoming both Northallerton Town and Easington Colliery to reach Round One in what is the club’s best performance in any national FA competition.

Rosso’s excellent form continued last weekend as league leaders Dearne & District were put away in a 4-0 thriller that included a wondergoal and a brace from Oli Nowak.

With the unbeaten run in all competitions now standing at 11, the joint managers will no doubt be stressing the importance of maintaining consistency after a host of standout individual performances that saw Main string together back-to-back wins.

Founded in 2012 as Durham Federation, Durham United have developed a close partnership with Durham University Athletic FC in recent years which sees the university’s men’s first-team players represent United.

Such is their youthfulness, the outfit’s most senior figure in the dressing room was born in 2002, with the majority of the squad being born in the mid-to-late 2000s.

It has been an approach that has brought great success, as our visitors currently operate in Division Two of the Northern League at Step 6 of the National League System, following promotion in 2024/25.

Their debut season saw them register a respectable 16th placed finish which steered them to safety with a 16-point buffer.

The start to the 2026/27 season has been a challenging one though, as the side find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table after just one win in 14.

Many of the team’s difficulties seem to stem from their defence that has let up 53 goals already this campaign, after conceding 104 in the previous term.

The Vase has proven to be a bright light in their season, however, claiming two away scalps by beating sides at Step 5. Northallerton were first to be seen off in a 2-0 victory, before a 4-2 shootout win followed a 2-2 stalemate with Easington Colliery.

As the teams prepare for their first meeting with each other, Rosso know they will have to be at their best if they are to ward off a cupset against a Durham United who will no doubt have the bit between their teeth.