SOMETHING needs to be done about the standard of football and level of competition in the Wessex League.

With the spotlight this weekend shining on Christchurch and the FA Vase, it seems a good time to assess the quality of the Wessex.

Priory are one of only two clubs from the local league left in the competition at the last 32 stage, with VT FC also still in with a shout of reaching the showpiece final.

While praise should go to these two teams, particularly Christchurch considering the more modest level of resources available to them, it also strikes me that two out of 32 is a poor return, further calling into question the slipping standards in the Premier Division.

Looking at the make-up of the Vase fourth round – Eastern Counties (six teams), Northern (four), North West Counties (four), Midland Alliance (three), United Counties (three), Western (three) – the Wessex is struggling to keep pace.

The dearth of local clubs vying for the silverware is not the only factor which leads me to think the Wessex has gone downhill this season and, more so, over a number of years.

The lack of competition in the title race is also a primary reason why I believe there are only two outstanding teams currently in the top flight, together with a small group of decent outfits and a worryingly large group of also-rans.

I do not wish to take anything away from the achievements of Graham Kemp’s men in reaching the fourth round of the Vase. Indeed, they will probably be in the hat for the last 16 on Monday, given the fact they are huge favourites to see off lower-level opposition in FC Clacton at Hurn Bridge this afternoon.

Nor do I want to detract from the marvellous run being enjoyed by Poole Town as they march almost unchallenged towards the championship crown, with only a terrible loss of form and a late surge from VT likely to stand between them and the silverware.

But the level of competition in the division is questionable at best.

While in higher leagues it is not an abnormal occurrence for teams towards the head of the table to fall victim of a shock defeat, it hardly seems likely in the Wessex. A multi-goal hammering is the more expected outcome when Tom Killick’s Dolphins meet anyone from outside the top 10.

Speaking to a few people – who I won’t name – who know the area’s non-league as well as anybody, I was told that the majority of Wessex sides are now little different to top pub teams.

And from what I’ve seen in some games this season, that is a damning verdict, but one which appears hard to disagree with.

I wrote in this column how people should see non-league football as a more affordable and perfectly viable option if they are fed up of the professional game.

I cited the derby between Poole and Wimborne as the perfect example of a high-tempo and absorbing match which kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Sadly, though, as I’ve discovered at many games this season, that type of spectacle was the high point which all the other fixtures have fallen way short of.

The main problem, as I see it, is that the Wessex has lost the likes of Winchester City, Gosport Borough and Totton to Southern League promotion in recent years, while the teams replacing them are way below the required level to stop the competition from declining.

I wish Christchurch all the best this afternoon, but I very much doubt they can win the Vase this term.

And if Poole earn the elevation they deserve come the end of the season – followed by VT or an improving Wimborne next time round – the Wessex may face a long wait for another serious Vase challenger.

Something needs to be done to raise the bar. Quite what that is, however, I’m afraid I don’t know.

Hopefully somebody out there does.