Four times winners Whitley Bay must start at the first qualifying round stage of the FA Vase when they go to Willington today.

Whitley were the first club to win the competition in three successive years between 2009 and 2011, but since their last win against Coalville, they haven’t got beyond the fifth round, and have lost their exemption. This will be the first time they have played at this stage since 2006.

Whitley include new signing Robbie Williamson, who has been at Bristol City, in their squad, while there will be fitness tests for defender Callum Anderson and midfielder Mark Bertram.

Willington are without Micky Gibson and Liam Whitworth because of injury, while Lewis Milner, Stephen Howe and Graham Lazonby are unavailable.

Ian Chandler, who was manager of Whitley when they won those three Vase finals, is now manager of Durham City, and they’re at home to Northallerton. He could make changes to the team that lost at Consett in midweek, but he is definitely missing Dan Dillon, who has a broken leg.

Northallerton, who are sixth in the second division, are boosted by the returns of Mark Wood and Shaun Ryder.

West Auckland, who have been to the final twice in recent years, are also back at the opening stage, and they’re away to Crook Town. New signing Kris Goss and striker Michael Dickinson will both have fitness tests, while Michael Jameson and Matthew Bell are both missing. Lee Farrington, Bryan Stewart and Matty Crossen all come back into the squad.

Crook include new signings Dean Sinclair and Phil Caley, while Jonny Wright, who was signed in the summer, will also make his debut.

Darlington RA are at Ryhope CW, and they will be missing seven players, including top scorer Kerry Hedley for various reasons, but midfielder Ste Cheeseman returns to the side. Ryhope manager Gary Pearson was furious with his team’s poor performance earlier in the week at Easington, and he will be without keeper Chris Rookes, skipper Phil Hall and defender Steve Francis. Midfielder Nathan O’Neill returns after injury.

Billingham Synthonia play Alnwick in another all ENL second division tie, and they include new full back Connor Hood, signed from Marske United, while midfielder James Crossman returns to the squad. However, defender Adam Clough is suspended.

Birtley play Chester-le-Street having already played each other in the league in midweek, and they include new signing Chris Killeen from Tow Law, but they will be missing four players for various reasons. Chester won that game by 4-3, and they will be without Kevin Dixon and Danny Hepplewhite from that team today, but Michael Hepplewhite, Lee Mole, Joe Hamblin and Craig Mickle all return.

Norton are at home to Pickering from the Northern Counties East League, and they hope that defender Dale Mulligan and striker Nicky Martin will both be available after injury.

Brandon, boosted by their win on Monday, are at home to Washington and welcome back their top scorer Vinny Gash, but they have a doubt over Jason White, while Shane Todd is suspended. Washington, who are flying in the first division at the moment, welcome back their first choice keeper Jonathan Carmichael, while they will give fitness tests to Steven Stewart and Craig Hennis.

Billingham Town are at Seaham Red Star, and are missing suspended keeper Scott Campbell and unavailable Stephen Flockett, but Aaron Doyle returns after recovering from a head injury.

Seaham include two recent signings, Chris Scott from South Shields and Tony Stephenson from Ashington, and yesterday they signed Harrison Scott from Newton Aycliffe.

Hebburn, who are at home to Knaresborough, have injury doubts over both their registered keepers, but Bri Johnson, Scott Wallace and Marc Costello all return after injury.

Heaton Stannington have a trip to Eccleshill in West Yorkshire, and they will be without first choice keeper Shaun Backhouse because of injury, while Adam Rowntree and Richie Hoggins will both have fitness tests Thornaby travel down to Silsden, and they will give a debut to keeper Adrian Beblowski, while recent signing striker Nathan Steel from Guisborough will probably start. Michael Duff, Theo Furness and Kieran Edwards are all doubtful.

Morpeth are at home to Padiham, who were relegated from the EvoStik League last season, and they are without Stephen Forster because of suspension, while Michael Hall and Chris Jewels are both injured, In the other games, Esh Winning are at home to Hall Road Rangers, Whickham are at Thackley, Team Northumbria are at Liversedge and Ryton and Crawcrook are at home to Yorkshire Amateurs.