By Mark Carruthers
Ebac Northern League club North Shields know what it takes to win the FA Vase – and that’s why current manager Brian Smith has handed a warning to his players ahead of Saturday’s first round tie at Wakefield.
Smith was part of Graham Fenton’s coaching staff when the former Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers star led the Robins to their Vase Final victory against Glossop North End in 2015 as they came from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win under the Wembley arch.
A run to the quarter-final in 2022 remains the Robins best performance in the competition since that historic day – but there are high hopes the North Tyneside-based club can make major progress in the Vase this season.
Having already seen off fellow Northern League clubs Redcar Town and Billingham Town in the qualifying rounds, the Robins made their first venture outside of the North East last weekend when they travelled to Wakefield. However, a waterlogged pitch ensured the two sides will now meet in a rearranged tie on Saturday afternoon.
Smith’s side warmed up for their trip with a 3-1 home win in a league clash with Guisborough Town as goals from Will McCamley, Kyle Downey and Jordan Lashley ensured they came from a goal down to secure three points that has taken them to within touching distance of the Northern League Division One play-offs.
With all eyes now focused on their attempts to progress in the Vase, Smith has warned his players they will have to do ‘a proper job’ to claim a place in the second round.
He told The NLP: “We know what the Vase is like and we have said this to the lads. It doesn’t matter who you are playing or how they’re doing in whatever league they are in, you can easily get turned over.
“We all know that but we have to do a proper job down there against a club that are well-backed and supported. We’ve watched them – but they have a new manager so that changes everything and it means we don’t know how they will set up.”
The winners of Saturday’s tie will host Charnock Richard in the second round.
