Tow Law manager Steve Murray is hoping that the buzz around the town will help them pull off a shock result in the first round of the FA Buildbase Vase today.

Lawyers face Bridlington Town from the Northern Counties East League at Ironworks Road, and Murray is hoping that the town will turn out in force to back them.

Lawyers had an unbeaten home record this season until they lost to a strong Gateshead side in midweek, and they’re confident that they can regain their winning form. Murray is expected to choose from a full squad, and said; “It’s a very difficult tie against a side from a league above, but we are expecting a large and fervent support and our home record is good. It’s great to have a buzz of excitement about the town again. The players should respond.”

Lawyers have played Bridlington before, way back in the FA Cup in 1989, beating them in a second qualifying round replay.

Bridlington have some good away form this season, having won four of their eight away league games.

West Auckland are ranked as third favourites to win the Vase when they go across to Manchester to play West Didsbury and Chorlton.

Considering that the Vase has been dominated by the Northern League in recent years, it’s perhaps no surprise that the top seven clubs in the betting are all from the Northern League, with Morpeth and Shildon leading the way.

West have reached the final twice but lost in recent years to Dunston and Sholing, and now there’s a determination to put that right this season.

But manager Gary Forrest isn’t taking anything for granted against a team that is currently sixth in the North West Counties League.

“This will be a difficult game against a side that have won their last four, so we will need to be at our best,” he said. Defender Ross Colquhoun is definitely out because of injury, while two other players will have fitness tests.

Meanwhile Ashington, who are at home to Hall Road Rangers, have appointed Steve Bowey as their new manager after Steve Harmison quit a week ago.