West Auckland manager Peter Dixon has told his players that they mustn’t take anything for granted at Askern Villa in their third round FA Vase tie today.

West, top of the STL Northern League, are expected to win in South Yorkshire, where the home side are second bottom of the Northern Counties East League first division, a division below West.

“We mustn’t forget that Askern are in the third round of the Vase on merit, and they’ve beaten some good teams from above them to get this far,” said Dixon.

“We must forget that they’re second bottom of their league. I was concerned about last Saturday’s game at Stokesley being a banana skin, and we were terrible. The players must be in the right frame of mind for this game, otherwise we’ll be in trouble.”

West also have some injuries to worry about. Defender Andrew Green, midfielder Alex Francis and forwards Danny Hindmarch and Stephen Banks are all missing, while defender Mark Stephenson is suspended.

Whitley Bay, who haven’t lost in the competition since the 2008 semi final, are at home to Bridlington, the leaders of the Northern Counties East League.

Manager Ian Chandler is without defender Craig McFarlane and midfielder Gary Ormston because of injury, but midfielder Lee-Paul Scroggins and striker Robbie Dale are both expected to return.

There are two all Northern League ties. Possibly the tie of the round as far as the north east is concerned is Spennymoor’s home tie with Ashington.

Moors expect to be at full strength, although they will give a fitness test to striker Sonny Andrews, who has been outstanding since he signed from Norton, He has been suffering from a tight hamstring this week.

Ashington, who have lost just twice in their last 11 league games, are without striker Stephen Young and Darren Lough because of injury Billingham Synthonia, semi finalists five seasons ago, are at home to Consett, and they will be without striker Danny Earl, while defender Robbie Bettson returns to the side. However, they have a work doubt over centre half David Abel, while midfielder Jamie Blyth is cuptied having already played for Thornaby.

Consett, who lost 5-1 to Synners in the league earlier in the season, will give new midfielder Sam Hodgson, signed from Whitby, his debut, but defender Carl Piecha and midfielders Ryan Bell and Dale Burrell are all missing because of injury. Midfielder Jonjo Dickman could start the game after recovering from injury.

Dunston, who scored 12 in the last round, won’t have it as easy against Parkgate from the Northern Counties East League.

However, they have a major injury doubt over their record top scorer Andy Bulford, who scored a hat trick in the last round, and they will give him a fitness test before the game. Striker Steve Goddard, midfielder Kane Young and defender Steve Pickering are all added to the squad.

Newcastle Benfield are up against unknown outfit Deeping Rangers, from the United Counties League.