Ray Simpson`s FA Carlsberg Vase Preview

Andrew Soppitt, manager of Ebac Northern League club Esh Winning, says that his team will have nothing to lose....

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Published 1st September 2012

....against Tadcaster Albion in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase today.

The road to Wembley starts again today, with the Northern League collectively aiming to be represented for the fifth successive season under the Arch in the final in May.

But Esh have been handed one of the toughest possible ties, as Baris Northern Counties East League outfit Tadcaster have already beaten First Division Consett and Norton & Stockton Ancients in the FA Cup this season.

“It is one of those situations in which we have nothing to lose, and we can have a right go at them,” he said. Soppitt will give two strikers their debuts – Alex Benjamin, who helped Hebburn to promotion last season, and John Harrison from Easington Colliery – but he is missing two others strikers, Ian Ward and Craig Mickle because of injury, as well as three other players.

Darlington RA have a chance of advancing against Eccleshill from the NCEL, but they will be without winger James Evison, as well as midfielder Lee Johnston and defender Gav Swankie.

Billingham Town are at home to Pickering Town, another NCEL team. They are expected to recall several players who missed last Saturday’s defeat at Durham City, including Richie Gaston, Craig Perry, Alan Cosavella and Glenn Butterworth.

Birtley Town might cause a shock at Celtic Nation, who lost heavily at Penrith on Monday. Birtley have brought in striker Luke Wilson, while the club’s top scorer, Dan Smart, will have a fitness test. CN are missing six players because of injury, including former pros Paul Arnison and Graeme Lee.

Hebburn are at North West Counties Leaguers Holker Old Boys, who have beaten Newton Aycliffe and Crook Town in the FA Cup so far this season.

Thornaby play Stokesley SC for the second time this week, Thornaby having won the Second Division game on Monday.

Striker Richie Walker returns for Thornaby, while midfielders James Murphy and Adam Kidson are included in the squad for the first time this season.

Seaham Red Star are at home to Willington from the Wearside League. They have so many players out injured, that they have had to recruit a second physio. Manager Mark Collingwood is hoping to recruit some new players before the game.

West Allotment Celtic are at home to Thackley from the NCEL, and manager Paul Stoneman could be without six players because of injuries and unavailability.

First Division Consett should progress at home to Second Division Alnwick, who have failed to score in four league games this season. However, they will be missing Carl Piecha, Ian Davidson, Andy Cuthbertson and Scott Martindale for various reasons, while Ryan Bell and Anthony Lund could come back into the squad. Striker Harrison Davies will definitely return.

Guisborough Town face Crook at the King George, both clubs having been involved in midweek cup replays. Guisborough, who lost 6-0 in midweek to Shildon, add new signing Nathan Evans from Whitby Town to their squad, but they are missing central defender Mark Casey. Crook are still missing several players because of injury.

Tow Law Town take on Penrith, from a division above them, at Ironworks Road, and add keeper Stephen Robinson and defender Lewis Harrison to their squad, as well as new midfielder from Brandon United, Scott Brassell. Alan Herbert, Mick Stothard and Mikey Hall all have fitness tests.

Marske United have a tricky home tie against Second Division Morpeth Town, and they include former Darlington player Danny Lambert in their squad, while defender Kieran Edwards and midfielder Derek Bradley both return. Midfielder Karl Charlton and defender Curtis Collantine will both have fitness tests.

Two Second Division sides, Jarrow Roofing and Brandon, play each other. Roofing welcome back Anth Myers, but Lee McMahon is unavailable.

Elsewhere, North Shields are at Liversedge.

[Source: Ray Simpson]