The Carlsberg FA Vase gets underway on Saturday with the first qualifying round and three of the local semi-pro clubs are looking to get over this first hurdle.

Only one has home advantage, however. Liversedge will host North Shields as the Northern League once again features heavily in ties involving Yorkshire clubs.

Sedge have already suffered a home defeat to a side from the strong north-eastern footballing hotbed.

They were dumped out of the FA Cup at the first time of asking by West Auckland Town, who won 4-2 at Clayborn.

Thackley suffered the same fate as their FA Cup venture this season was halted by Hebburn Town, and the Dennyboys have also landed a Vase tie up north. Vince Brockie takes his squad to face West Allotment Celtic.

The only club with a glimmer of knockout success so far this term is Eccleshill United, who have beaten two clubs from a higher tier in Glasshoughton Welfare and neighbours Brighouse Town to progress in the FA Cup.

The Eagles will be hoping their knockout form continues in the FA Vase as they make the long journey to Darlington Railway Athletic.

Eccleshill have been unpredictable in the bread and butter of the league, having tasted victory, defeat and the frustration of a draw in their three Baris Northern Counties East League Division One games.


Brighouse Town could open up a gap on neighbours Thackley and Liversedge if they make home advantage pay in their Baris Premier Division clash against Winterton Rangers.


Seventh-placed Town are in front of their two local rivals on goal difference only but have a game in hand.

While Sedge and the Dennyboys are in FA Vase action this weekend, Town can pull clear in the league as their fourth-place finish last term exempts them from this first qualifying round.


Albion Sports eased their plight in the lower tier with a 5-2 home victory in midweek, which gave boss Kulwinder Sandhu hope that his side can get something from Saturday's trip to Selby Town.


He said: “It was a good win but to make progress we have to follow it up. We will be going to Selby with a very positive frame of mind and with confidence high.”


Silsden are also on the road as they head to Alsager Town in the North West Counties League Premier Division but they have to bounce back from a home defeat in midweek.

The Cobbydalers were beaten 3-1 by Wigan Robin Park in a top-six clash.


Spokesman Jim Rosser said: “It was just one of those nights. The Wigan keeper made some fantastic saves and their forwards took their chances. It was a defeat but a cracking game for the supporters.”