Bishop Auckland have never won in the first round of the FA Vase before, and they’ll be hoping to put that right at home to Holker Old Boys from Cumbria on Saturday.

Since they returned to the Northern League in 2006, Bishops have played in the first round on three occasions, and lost every time.

Manager David Bayles said; “We’re looking forward to the Vase game although we need to be more consistent if we are to achieve anything this season. I had planned to watch Holker on Tuesday, but the game was postponed due to waterlogging. It will be a tough match as they are a bit of an unknown quantity, although we are aware of their stats this season.”

Midfielder Sean Tarling could be missing because of an ankle injury, while another midfielder, Olly Hotchkiss, returns to the squad.

In the last round Holker beat Durham City, who bizarrely are rated at 25/1 to win the competition with one bookmaker.

Shildon, who are the competition favourites, are at Colne in Lancashire, but they’ll be wary of a below par performance following their midweek FA Cup exit at Norton United. Striker Billy Greulich-Smith will probably still be missing because of injury.

The big game as far as the north east is concerned is the local derby between Bedlington and Whitley Bay. Bedlington, who reached the final in 1999, are without seven players for various reasons, but keeper Sean McCafferty, defender Colin Morton and striker Craig Ellison all come back into the squad.

Whitley, who have won the competition four times, are without their talisman Paul Chow, while defenders Michael Laws and Chris Reid are both suspended.

There is another local derby between Guisborough and Billingham Synthonia at the King George. Guisborough will be without recent signing Josh Rowbotham, Callum Martin and Peter Bulmer, while Synners are without centre halves Tom Bott and Scott Matthewman because of suspension and injury, but Dan Dillon, Steve Huggins and Matthew Bell all return.

West Allotment have a tough home game against Runcorn Town, one of the fancied teams from the North West Counties League, and manager Paul Stoneman has seven players unavailable, so chooses from a squad of 14.

North Shields, one of the dark horses for the competition, are at home to AFC Emley, and their skipper Kevin Hughes will probably return to the centre of defence. Striker Peter Glen-Ravenhill and midfielder Ryan Carr return, but midfielder Michael McKeown and striker Dean Walker are both missing.

Ryhope CW go down to Leicestershire to play Bottesford, the furthest they have ever travelled in the competition. Midfielder David Pounder and keeper Barry Poskett are both injured, and second choice keeper Chris Rookes is doubtful.

Marske United face Winterton Rangers from the NCEL at Mount Pleasant, and are without cuptied striker Danny Brunskill, but midfielder Craig Gott and winger Josh McDonald both return after injury.

Consett are at home to Silsden, whom they’ve already beaten in the FA Cup. Defender David Brown and midfielder Adam Nicholls are both out because of injury, while midfielder Josh Gray is doubtful.

Seaham Red Star head to South Yorkshire for their tie at Selby Town. Seaham, who scored twelve in the last round at Esh Winning, will give fitness tests to Lewis Wing, David Palmer, Chris Scott and Darren Reay.

Sunderland RCA are at home to Handsworth Parramore, who are managed by former Darlington and Boro player Peter Duffield. RCA manager Marty Swales includes new signings Luke Richardson from Billingham Synthonia and James Armstrong, once of Sunderland. Gavin Barton, Ross Preston and Gary Wood will all have fitness tests.

The RCA haven’t lost at home in their last six league and cup matches.