SWALES KEEN TO AVOID NORTHERN LEAGUE OUTFIT
Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales is keen to avoid facing another Northern League club as his side await today’s FA Vase Third Round draw.
A 6-2 win at North West Counties First Division side Garstang ensured that RCA will be in the draw alongside five other Northern League clubs.
Nathan O’Neill hit a hattrick inside the opening 35 minutes and Greg Swansbury also got on the scoresheet to give RCA a four-goal half-time lead.
Garstang threatened a comeback after a secondhalf brace from Tom Entwistle but a Colin Larkin penalty and O’Neill’s fourth goal of the day rounded off a professional display.
Swales admitted that his side had put in an impressive display in Lancashire but is now focused on learning his side’s fate in today’s draw.
He said “We were very good in the first half and we had tonnes of possession.
“We bossed it from the first minute and put some great deliveries into the box.
“Half-time probably came at the wrong time because we had just scored and we were very comfortable.
“We never underestimate anyone and we treat any opposition as if they are one of the Northern League’s biggest sides. We showed them respect, we prepared well and we switched on from kick-off.
“It’s great to be in the draw and we just want to avoid a Northern League side.
“We would be delighted if that happens.”
Last year’s beaten Vase finalists Stockton Town made the first step in their bid to return to Wembley with a 4-1 home win against Northern League Division One rivals Ashington.
Early goals from Fred Woodhouse and Michael Roberts had the Anchors three goals ahead by the half-hour mark.
Glenn Caygill pulled one back for the visitors on the hour, but it was a rare positive for the Colliers and a bad day was rounded off by Nathan Mulligan adding a fourth goal for the hosts on 75 minutes.
2012 Vase winners Dunston UTS were heavily tipped to do well in the competition this season, but they were dumped out of the competition after a 2-1 defeat at Winterton Rangers.
Liam Nelthorpe put the Northern Counties East League side ahead on 35 minutes, only to see their lead cancelled out by an own goal from Kieran Wressle just after halftime.
But Nelthorpe turned out to be the match-winner for his side as his late free-kick was enough to complete a surprise win over one of the Northern League’s in-form sides.
Goals from Ben Trotter and Matty Robson helped Shildon to a 2-0 win at Barton Town and former Railwaymen striker Adam Burnicle grabbed the only goal of the game in West Auckland Town’s narrow win at Thackley.
There was late drama at Hallam as Hebburn Town eventually saw off the world’s second oldest football club.
Four-time FA Vase winner Paul Chow put the Hornets ahead on 83 minutes, but an equaliser from Sam Smith looked to have sent the tie into extra-time.
However, it was Scott Oliver’s side that were celebrating after 90 minutes of pulsating football as Jack Robson’s late winner finally broke their hosts’ resistance.
Bedlington Terriers couldn’t make the most of an early lead as they were knocked out of the Vase by Silsden.
Ronnie Jones put Terriers ahead on two minutes, but a second-half brace from Joe Gaughan and a goal from Aidan Kirby sent the North West Counties League side into the next round.