Hornets FA Vase tie not the draw we wanted, admits Swales
Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales admitted that an away tie at Northern League leaders Hebburn Town was “not the draw he wanted” in the FA Vase Second Round.
The two Division One rivals will meet at the Hornets Energy Check Sports Ground for a place in the Third Round and £900 in prize money on Saturday, November 2.
RCA actually travel to South Tyneside for a league game on Saturday - less than a month after snatching a lastgasp 2-2 draw against Kevin Bolam’s side at Sunderland LDV Park. RCA reached the Fourth Round of the Vase last season - but Swales stressed that his side will have to overcome a difficult test on South Tyneside if they want to get this year’s run off to a winning start.
He told The Echo: “It’s not the draw we wanted.
“I wanted an away game, but against different opposition in a different league to ours. It’s a tough game, but they are all tough games at this stage, so we will go there in good spirit.”
Ryhope CW will be on their travels in the Second Round after they battled past Ashton Athletic on Saturday.
James Ellis and Olly Hotchkiss got the goals to see off the Hallmark Security League club - and Gary Pearson’s side have been rewarded with an away tie at Vauxhall Motors.
The Merseyside outfit put an end to Jarrow FC’s historic Vase run on Saturday and will now host Ryhope on the first weekend of November.
Midfielder Hotchkiss commented: “It’s a really challenging tie for us.
“Obviously it will be a good bus journey down and theatmospherewillbegreat.
“Hopefully we can enjoy it all with a positive result.
“We have avoided the Northern League sides and it will be great to test ourselves against a team from another league. Hopefully, we can get another result and carry on our good form in the competition.”
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round draw (ties involving Northern League clubs): Bishop Auckland v West Auckland Town, Hebburn Town v Sunderland RCA, Irlam v Consett, Stockton Town v Barnoldswick Town, Lower Breck v Shildon, Vauxhall Motors v Ryhope CW, Newcastle Benfield v Guisborough Town, Longridge Town v Thornaby.