We need supporters back in the grounds, admits frustrated Bolam
H ebb u r n To w n m a n a ge r Kevin Bolam has been left frustrated by the news that Saturday’s FA Vase second round tie with North Shields will be played behind closed doors.
T h e e a ge rl y a n t i c i p at - ed clash between the current top two in the Northern League Division One table will take place in front of empty stands after the North East was placed under tier three restrictions by the government.
The tie could have attracted a four-figure attendance as the Hornets look to gain revenge for the 3-2 defeat they suffered at the hands of North Shields in late September.
Bolam believes that Northern League clubs need to get supporters back into grounds and revealed his frustration over the state of Saturday’s game.
“Hopefully, we are on the road to recovery with this situation,” said the Hornets boss.
“But it is frustrating that the North Shields game will be behind closed doors because I think we could have had a big crowd at the ground.
“The club have looked into other options like streaming the game and some supporters have said that they will donate some money to the club if they do, which is great.
“But we need them back into the grounds, we need them to be coming in and supporting us in person.
“Hopefully, that can hap
pen soon.”
B o l a m c o n f i r m e d t h at midfielder Michael McKeown and forward Amar Purewal will undergo fitness tests ahead of the game.
E l s ewh e re i n th e Va s e, 2018 finalists Stockton Town will entertain Charnock Richard after Northern League Division One rivals Ashington took the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition.
The Colliers were set to travel to Lancashire to take on the North West Counties League club – but revealed that they had regretfully decided with end their participation in this season’s Vase to prioritise “the health and wellbeing of their playing s ta f f , o f f i c i a l s a n d vo lu n - teers.”
Jarrow will face their first ever second round tie when North West Counties Premier Division club Warrington Rylands travel to Perth Green.
J o i nt- m a n a ge r s D ave Bell and Scott Oliver have a number of selection issues to contend with ahead of the historic fixture.
Defender Gary Shaw and striker Channon North are both cup-tied and Kai Elliott, Chris Smith and Phil Gray are definitely missing.
However, there was some positive news for the duo as Scott Wallace is available to make his debut after recovering from an injury.
Two-time Vase finalists West Auckland Town will make the trip to the North West to face 1874 Northwich and Consett will continue their quest to reach a second consecutive year when they host Maltby Main.
Steve Bell will take charge of Guisborough Town for the first time when they host Liversedge at the KGV Stadium.
However, he will have to contend with a whole host of absentees as Sonni Coleman (unavailable), Callum Martin (suspended), Ben Jackson, David Hillerby, Scott Howes and James Dawson (all cuptied) will all miss the tie.