Spennymoor Town started in the first round against Bridlington Town, winning 5–1.[3] In the second round, they were drawn at home to Newcastle Benfield and winning 5–1.[4] In the third round Spennymoor played fellow Northern Football League team, Billingham Synthonia winning 2–0.[5] They were then drawn against Lordswood in the fourth round, winning 3–1.[6] In the fifth round, they played Bemerton Heath Harlequins winning 4–2. In the quarter-finals, Spennymoor drew Gornal Athletic where they won 3–1.[7] In the semi-finals, Spennymoor were drawn against Guernsey. They won 3–1 in the first leg at Footes LaneinGuernsey[8] and won 1–0 in the second leg for a 4–1 win on aggregate.[9]
Tunbridge Wells started in the second round after receiving a bye in the first round, due to having reached the fifth round the previous year,[10] by defeating Hellenic League Premier Division team Wantage Town 2–0 at their Culverden Stadium.[11][12] In the third round, they were drawn away to Binfield, where they won 2–1 after extra time.[13] In the fourth round, Tunbridge Wells were drawn against the FA Vase holders, Dunston UTS. After the match was postponed four times,[14] Tunbridge Wells won 1–0 at the Culverden Stadium.[15] In the fifth round, they were drawn away to Larkhall Athletic, where they won 4–3 aet[16] In the quarter-finals, they played Hadleigh United. In front of a record home crowd, Tunbridge Wells won 2–0.[17] In the semi-finals, Tunbridge Wells defeated Shildon 4–3 on aggregate after a 2–0 win at the Culverden Stadium in the first leg and a 3–2 aet loss in the second leg.[18] This made Tunbridge Wells the second Kent League team to reach the FA Vase final in its history.[19]
After a meeting at Wembley Stadium the week after the semi-finals, where both teams met with The Football Association to decide the choice of dressing rooms and the kit selections,[20] tickets for the final were released on sale on 2 April 2013, with Tunbridge Wells selling over 2,600 tickets within the first 24 hours[21] comparing with an average home crowd of 138.[22]
Both teams set up shops in their respective towns. On 12 April 2013, Spennymoor Town opened a shop under Spennymoor Town Hall after the space was loaned to them by the Mayor of Spennymoor.[23] On 16 April, Tunbridge Wells opened a temporary shop in the offices of the Kent and Sussex Courier newspaper in Royal Tunbridge Wells.[24] On 27 April 2013, Tunbridge Wells opened a second temporary shop in the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre.[25]
18'
