West Auckland continue their quest for a third Buildbase FA Vase final when they take on Yorkshire Amateurs at the Wanted Stadium today.
West lost in previous finals against Dunston and Sholing, and they’re determined to go all the way again to the Arch and make it third time lucky.
They’ve already beaten Bishop Auckland in the competition and now they’re up against a side that is eighth in the Northern Counties East League table and has won all five of its away league games this season and won at two other ENL clubs in the Vase already, Seaham Red Star and Ryton and Crawcrook.
West this week bolstered their squad by signing midfielder Craig Spooner from Whitley Bay, and he is likely to play some part in today’s game. However, striker Adam Burnicle is unavailable, as well as loan players Danny Greenfield, Callum Guy and Arron Thompson.
Manager Gary Forrest said; “This will be a tough game. We’ve been to watch them in action twice, and they have some good players.”
Meanwhile, West have reversed their Durham Challenge Cup tie with FC Hartlepool to West on Tuesday night.
Stockton, one of the leading favourites to win the Vase, are at Bridlington from the Northern Counties East League, and they will be cheered on by four coachloads of supporters. Manager Micky Dunwell will choose from a full squad.
Hebburn go to Lower Breck, who beat Shildon in the last round.
Newcastle Benfield are at Vauxhall Motors, while Consett are at Wythenshawe.
Shildon are hoping to climb into fourth place in the EBAC Northern League by winning at Ryhope CW.
The Railwaymen were one of a handful of teams who played last Saturday and won at Guisborough to put them a point behind the top four.
Manager Danny Moore said; “We could do with this game going ahead, because if we win, then it sets us up nicely for our game against Hebburn on Tuesday.”
Moore will have a full squad to choose from, with midfielder Chay Liddle returning.
Bishop Auckland are at second bottom Seaham Red Star and can go eighth if they win.
Manager Ian Chandler said; “We drew with Seaham the second game of the season, coming back from 0-2 to draw 2-2. They have some talented players and it will be a very tricky game, especially with our up and down performances of late. I just don't know which Bishops team will turn up or more so what type of performance the team will deliver.”
Defender Callum Munro is out because of suspension, but centre half Darryl Hall returns.
Third bottom Northallerton are at Whitley Bay, who are two places and two points ahead of them.
Jason Blackburn and Dan Jones are both missing.
In the second division, second bottom Durham City have a tough home game against fourth placed Ryton and Crawcrook.
Manager Andy Inness said; “Ryton are having a terrific season so Saturday will be a tough challenge but one that the squad is looking forward to.”
In the BetVictor League Premier, there’s an interesting local derby between South Shields and Morpeth, while Whitby are at Scarborough Athletic.
In the North West Division, second placed Marske are at Ramsbottom, and Duston go to Pickering.
Chester-le-Street are at New Ferens Park to face Washington, and they have injury worries over Danny Hepplewhite, Conor Lyons, Andrew Clarkson and Owen Henderson, but Kallum Broadhead and Baily Prudhoe will make their debuts.
Manager Colin Wake said; “We are looking to build on a decent performance last time out when we played West Allotment on an artificial surface, which is what Washington play on.”
Willington, who are fifth from bottom, are at Jarrow whom they beat 3-1 in the opening week of the season.
Manager Ibby Hassan said; “We beat them earlier in the season, but they’ve had a couple of good results since then, so this will be a whole new challenge. Like us, they’ve had a number of games postponed and it will be the tam who has stayed motivated throughout these layoffs that will get a result.”
Defender Liam Lawlor will be missing for Willington, who haven’t played a league game now since 18th October.
Tow Law face Bedlington at Ironworks Road, and manager Micky Vasey will have a full squad to choose from. Lawyers haven’t played a league game since 2nd November.
In the other games, Crook are bottom club Brandon, and third bottom Esh Winning are at Birtley.
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