Collingwood wants Red Star to grasp FA Vase second chance
Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood has urged his players to take the unexpected second chance they have been given in the FA Vase.
A heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat suffered against Northern Counties East League club North Ferriby in December looked to have ended Red Star’s interest in this season’s competition.
However, they were handed a reprieve in January when their conquerors were found to have fielded an ineligible player.
As a result, the tie was ordered to be replayed and Collingwood’s side will make a second visit to the Dransfield Stadium on Saturday.
Preparations have been far from straightforward for the RedStarbossashewatchedhis side come through friendlies against Wearside League duo SilksworthCWandDarlington RA without picking up a win.
Collingwood called on his playerstoraisetheirstandards astheylooktotaketheclubinto the last 32 of the competition for only the third time in their history.
Collingwood said: “Even whenwefoundoutthatwehad to replay the game, I didn’t really think it would happen because of the Covid situation. I thought the Vase would be scrapped to be honest.
“It’s been tough trying to get ready for this game in just a couple of weeks, but the Vase has kept our season alive.
“It’s a second chance, it’s a
great opportunity, but we have to be ready.”
Collingwood is awaiting news on the availability of Joe Hailes and Paul Gardiner ahead of the trip to North Ferriby. Lewis Suddick will be eligible to feature and Paul Weldon and Mark Waite both return to contention.
*Silksworth CW manager Jamie Cole insisted that his players will show no fear as
they return to competitive action in the Alan Hood Trophy this weekend.
Cole’ssidehavebeendrawn in a tough-looking Group One alongside Durham Corinthians,WashingtonUnited,RichmondTown,Chester-le-Street United,HordenCWandGateshead Leam Rangers.
They kick off their campaign with a visit to the latter this weekend and Cole is fully
preparedforthereturntocompetitive action after watching his side play in three friendlies over the last week.
“We have had those friendlies, but it’s just not the same as competitive games really,” he explained.
“The lads are chomping at the bit; they have kept themselves as physically fit as they could, and confidence is high in the squad.
“We had started to pick things up before the break, then lockdown came and disrupted things, but we have got our boots back on and picked up where we left off.”
WashingtonUnitedmanagerCameronThompsonhasrevealed there is a buzz amongst his squad as they prepare for theirDurhamTrophyquarterfinal against Darlington RA.
Thompson said: “We are buzzing to be back. Despite having a smaller squad, we have got a committed and talented group going into these upcoming games.”
Elsewhere in the competition, Boldon CA are away to FC Hartlepool. Farringdon Detached entertain Annfield Plain at Leyburn Grove and Horden CW make the trip to NortonandStocktonAncients in the final tie of the round.