Tough tie for Benfield and new manager

NEW Newcastle Benfield manager Tom Wade has described his side’s FA Vase second-round tie against 1874 Northwich as “massive.”

The two sides were paired together in yesterday’s draw and will face each other on Tyneside on Saturday, November 3.

1874 travel to the North East looking to go one step further than last season’s Vase run, when they were knocked out in the semi-final by eventual winners Thatcham Town.

Wade (below) said: “It is a tough tie for us, a really tough tie.

“They reached the semi-finals last year and by all accounts are a very good side.

“We will have them watched to see what they are about and we will build from there.

“However, it is a massive tie for us and one which should draw a decent crowd at Sam Smith’s Park.

“It is a funny one because it is our first game in this year’s Vase and sometimes you need those early ties to feel your way into the competition - but it just means we will have to hit the ground running.

“I am positive about it because it is at home and I have three weeks to get to know the squad and to work on the shape I want to use.

“There is plenty of work to be done before we get to that game but it is certainly a fixture we will all look forward to.”

Elsewhere, in the draw, Hebburn Town will face a trip to the world’s second oldest club Hallam and 2012 Vase winners Dunston UTS travel to Lincolnshire to face Winterton Rangers.

Shildon have been handed an away tie against Barton Town and West Auckland Town are also on the road at Thackley.

Bedlington Terriers will face a tie at either Staveley MW or Silsden and Guisborough Town will travel to Vauxhall Motors - if they can see off Runcorn Town in a replay tomorrow night.

A win at Nelson in tonight’s rearranged first-round tie would see Ashington face a visit to Northern League Division One rivals and last year’s beaten finalists Stockton Town.