Dunston UTS striker Andy Bulford wants to return to Wembley again for the Vase final.

Bulford scored both Dunston’s goals in their 2-0 win over West Auckland in the 2012 final, but the Tynesiders have failed in their bids to return to the Arch since.

And today they’re involved in one of the ties of the round, against four times winners Whitley Bay at Hillheads.

“The Vase means a lot to us,” he said. “We were at Wembley two years ago, and those of us who were in the team that day have got a taste for it. Nothing matches it, and that’s what we’ve been saying to the players in the dressing room who have never been to Wembley before. The other lads don’t understand.

“A lot of lads in the Football League and the Premiership never get to play at Wembley, so we have a great chance at our level to play there. It means a lot for a player to go to Wembley, so it would be a great shame if the final was moved away from there.

“It’s always a very tough game against Whitley Bay, but having said that it would have been a tough game today against any team from our league.

“I remember when we got to the final two years ago, we managed to avoid a Northern League team until we played West Auckland in the final. We played teams that didn’t know much about us, plus we had a few home draws. I really do think that if you want to get to Wembley, you need to avoid the other Northern League teams.”

Bulford admits that at times Dunston haven’t been at their best this season.

“We’ve been well known in the past for being a hard team to score against, but this season we’ve been letting goals in because of individual errors, which is unlike us. We’re usually very disciplined – but I’m sure we’ll be at our best for Whitley Bay this afternoon.”

Whitley Bay’s top marksman, Paul Chow, is back to scoring form in time for the game today.

He scored four times in the second half at Crook in Whitley’s 7-0 win last Saturday – including an eleven minute hat trick – to give him 269 career goals for the club.

A remarkable 38 of those have been in the Vase, and he has scored in three Vase finals, including one of the quickest ever Wembley goals four years ago against Wroxham. He needs another 39 to beat Ralph Wright’s club record.