Brown eyes success on first taste of the FA Vase
Gary Brown is determined to make a success of his first involvement in the FA Vase.
West Auckland Town defender Brown has become a popular figure with the likes of Blyth Spartans, Darlington and South Shields during his career – but is only now experiencing the FA Vase during his time with Gary Forrest’s side.
The experienced centreback will be in the West squad that will travel to Northern Counties East League club North Ferriby on Saturday as they look to reach the fifth round for the third consecutive season.
Brown is relishing the prospect of trying to help the club finally achieve success in the competition after experiencing Wembley heartache twice in the last 10 years.
He told The Echo: “I’ve never really had the chance to compete in the Vase because Darlington could not compete in FA competitions when they were in the Northern League.
“It’s exciting to be in the last 32 and this is a competition I am determined to win.
“We have trained well, had some real tests in friendlies and there are no excuses for us on Saturday.”
If they can claim a win at North Ferriby, West will visit the winners of the tie between Shildon and Warrington Rylands in the last 16 of the competition.
Shildon received a major boost ahead of the game as talismanic forward Billy Greulich-Smith returns to contention after injury.
HebburnTowncouldhand a debut to former Darlington forward Jack Lambert as they continue their quest to reach two consecutive Vase finals – their first against Consett – with a home tie against Liversedge.