Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that his players must be mentally prepared for their FA Carlsberg Vase fourth round tie at Cadbury Heath today.

Moors are won of six STL Northern League clubs in the last 32 of the competition, and Ainsley has told his players to prepare for the unexpected in Bristol today, otherwise their dreams of a Wembley appearance will be shattered.

Ainsley said: “My assistant, Perry Briggs, has been to watch them, but our concern is more about the ground conditions than anything else. We probably won’t be able to play the ball on the ground as much as we would like, while Perry has said that there is quite a slope on the pitch.”

Keeper Craig Turns and defender Chris Mason are both struggling to be fit because of groin injuries, while midfielder Alex Francis will also have a test on a foot injury.

Briggs has warned in Saturday's Local Heroes column that the slope on Cadbury heath's pitch "makes Tow law look flat."

Whitley Bay, winners for the last two seasons, make the longest round trip of all the Northern League clubs, to Herne Bay in Kent for the “Battle of the Bays”.

Manager Ian Chandler said: “We’ve got to used to long trips in the past, we’ve been to places like Hungerford and Truro for games.

“We know that this will be a tough game as we had Herne Bay watched last weekend. But we feel that we’ve run into form at the right time, after beating Liverpool 7-1 in the last round.”

Striker Paul Robinson will have a fitness test on a hamstring injury, while defender Darren Timmons should also be fit after picking up a knock last week. Striker Glen Taylor is unable to play as he is cuptied.

Billingham Synthonia, semi finalists three seasons ago, are at home to Tadcaster Albion, who are going well in the Northern Counties East League.

Synners assistant manager Lee Tucker said: “We got a great boost when we won at Westfield in the last round. The whole trip was phenomenal, and there was a huge feeling of togetherness between the players and supporters.”

Since then, Synners have drawn a title chasing Newcastle Benfield, but they will be without defender Andy Foster, although Mark Scott and Tommy Marron both return to the squad.

Just across the A19, Norton have an attractive tie against Kings Lynn from the United Counties League.

Norton, who have won their last ten league and cup matches, reached the quarter finals last season, but the Linnets are going well in the United Counties League.

Manager Conrad Hillerby said: “This will be just as tough a game when we played Barwell in the quarter finals last season.”

Striker Gavin Parkin is cuptied, but defender Steve Baker and midfielder Steve Huggins both return to the squad Dunston head across to Cheshire in order to play Runcorn Town, the last surviving club from the North West Counties League.

Dunston assistant manager Tony Harrison said: “We got a wake up call last weekend against Heather St Johns. Our players have got to be ready for this straight from the kick off. Like Heather St Johns, Runcorn are from a level below us, and can’t be taken for granted.”

Dunston, who are trying to reach the fifth round for the second time in four seasons, will be at full strength.

Ashington are the sixth Northern League club in action, against Long Buckby from Northamptonshire.

Manager Gary Middleton will give fitness tests to defenders James Taylor and Darren Lough, as well as midfielder Scott Blandford. The Colliers have never played at this stage of the competition before.